[00:01:53]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION AGENDA.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS
[1. Invocation]
WE GET STARTED TODAY.I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE NOW COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREWS-SULLIVAN TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR.
>> SULLIVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL AND RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE HAVE PASTOR LARRY J. THOMPSON OF THE TREE MOUNT TEMPLE CHURCH WITH US AND HE HAS BEEN IN THE MINISTRY FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
HE IS AN ACTIVE PASTOR WITHIN THE DISTRICT 2 AREA.
HE DOES A LOT OF COMMUNITY GIVE BACK AS FAR AS MAKING SURE THE CHURCH AND ITS PARISHIONERS STAND ON STREET CORNERS HANDING OUT GAS, FOOD, CLOTHES.
NOT ONLY IS HE A PASTOR AT HEART, BUT HE IS A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD.
A TRUE SERVANT OF THE MINISTRY AND A TRUE SERVANT OF THOSE HE COMES IN CONTACT WITH.
SO THIS MORNING IT IS AN HONOR, A PRIVILEGE, AND A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE HIM IN FRONT OF US TO GIVE US OUR INVOCATION ON THIS BEAUTIFUL BUDGET DAY.
SO THANK YOU, PASTOR THOMPSON.
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG, THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN ANDREWS.
IF WE CAN BOW FOR A WORD OF PRAYER.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER WE SAY THANK YOU, FATHER.
BEFORE WE ASK YOU FOR ANYTHING, COMMON SENSE TELLS US TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
WE THANK YOU, FATHER GOD FOR A NEW DAY, FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
WE THANK YOU, FATHER GOD FOR OPPORTUNITIES BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND CORPORATELY, AND ESPECIALLY AS THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETS ON TODAY WE PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS ON THIS GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
FATHER GOD, WE PRAY RIGHT NOW SPECIFICALLY FOR MAYOR NIRENBERG, FATHER GOD.
WE PRAY FOR COUNCILWOMEN AND COUNCILMAN TREVINO, ANDREWS-SULLIVAN, VIAGRAN, GARCIA, GONZALES, HAVRDA, SANDOVAL, PELAEZ, COURAGE, AND PERRY.
WE PRAY, FATHER GOD AND SEEK YOUR BLESSINGS ON THE TASKS THAT WILL BE BEFORE THEM ON TODAY.
WE ASK, FATHER GOD THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THEIR EFFORTS WITH CLEAR INSIGHT.
WE ASK YOU, FATHER GOD TO BLESS THEIR DELIBERATIONS WITH WISDOM, THEIR WORK WITH CLARITY AND ACCURACY AND THEIR DECISIONS WITH IMPARTIALITY.
WE PRAY, FATHER GOD, THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE THEM TODAY.
WE ALSO PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THIS GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, OUR POLICE OFFICERS, OUR FIREFIGHTERS, ALL FIRST RESPONDERS.
WE PRAY FOR YOUR PROTECTION OVER EACH AND EVERY HALL OF ACADEMIA, EVERY HOSPITAL, EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
WE PRAY NOT ONLY FOR YOUR PROTECTION BUT ALSO FOR YOUR DIRECTION, FATHER GOD, FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE HERE PLACED IN THESE POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY, THESE POSITIONS
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OF LEADERSHIP WITHIN OUR GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.WE ASK ALL OF THESE BLESSINGS IN YOUR SON JESUS' NAME WE PRAY,
[2. Pledge of Allegiance]
AMEN.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PASTOR.
[3. Approval of Minutes from the City Council Regular Meetings of August 7 - 8, 2019]
OKAY.FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM AUGUST 7 AND 8.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 3.
THAT'S MINUTES FROM AUGUST 7 AND 8.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL
[Consent Agenda]
CONSIDERATION TODAY.THE REST OF THE AGENDA IS ON CONSENT.
I'LL ASK MY COLLEAGUES NOW IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS FROM WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM 26, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: 34 VIAGRAN.
I HAVE ITEMS 26 AND 34 FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
>> MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 28.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU WANT TO PULL IT FROM THE AGENDA?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION I HAVE ITEMS 4, 26, AND 34.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHERS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 26, AND 34.
THERE ARE SEVERAL CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT ITEMS. WE'LL TAKE THOSE NOW AND I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ON CONSENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. I'LL CALL THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO COME AND SPEAK AND I'LL CALL THE SECOND PERSON, IF YOU CAN BE PREPARED TO COME FORWARD.
MS. THOMPSON, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DAVE CREPINSKI.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MAGGIE THOMPSON AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE RIVER WALK ASSOCIATION.
AND TO LET YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RIVER WALK, IT IS THE NUMBER ONE TOURIST ATTRACTION IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE SEE ABOUT 13 TO 14 MILLION VISITORS AND IT HAS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE CITY OF ABOUT $3.5 BILLION.
THOSE ARE OLD STATS FROM A FEW YEARS AGO AND I IMAGINE IT'S EVEN BETTER.
WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE CENTRO AMBASSADORS.
THEY KEEP IT CLEAN AND PRISTINE.
WE HAVE A FACEBOOK FOLLOWING OF ALMOST HALF A MILLION WHO TELL US HOW BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL IT IS AND WE OWE SO MUCH OF THAT TO THE CENTRO AMBASSADORS.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THEM AND TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAVE SO MANY APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH US.
WE HAVE OVER 26 EVENTS WE HAVE ON THE RIVER WALK.
THEY ARE CRUCIAL FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE TO BE CLEANED AFTERWARDS.
WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR FORD HOLIDAY RIVER PARADE, WHICH I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL THAT MOST OF YOU ALL HAVE BEEN IN BEFORE, THE FORD HOLIDAY RIVER PARADE, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NEW, IT'S THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.
OUR GRAND MARSHAL IS BILLY GIBBONS.
MAYOR NIRENBERG, THAT GIVES YOU TIME TO GROW A BEARD, BUT YOU HAVE A HEAD START BY COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
SO I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE AMBASSADORS BRINGS US A BEAUTIFUL RIVER WALK, A GREAT INVESTMENT, MORE TOURISM, AND MORE WONDERFUL COMPLIMENTS TO OUR CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. THOMPSON.
DAVE CREPINSKI FOLLOWED BY GABRIELLE THOMAS.
>> GOOD MORNING, DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER.
I'M THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR VISIT SAN ANTONIO.
AS YOU KNOW THE MISSION OF OUR ORGANIZATION IS TO BRING THE WORLD TO SAN ANTONIO.
WE WELCOME OVER 39 MILLION VISITORS EVERY YEAR, MAKING US ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
BUT THERE'S MANY REASONS FOR THAT AND THERE'S LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE CITY'S WARMTH AND HOSPITALITY AS WELL AS AUTHENTICITY PLAY A VERY LARGE PART IN THIS.
[00:10:01]
AMBASSADORS COME IN.EVERY DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR, 24 HOURS A DAY THE PEOPLE SERVING IN THESE ROLES CLEAN THE STREETS, THEY GREET VISITORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD, IN SOME CASES.
GIVING DIRECTIONS, OFFERING ASSISTANCE.
WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM AND THEY DO THIS EACH AND EVERY DAY.
THIS PROGRAM CROSSES PATHS WITH MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE EACH YEAR, PROVIDING APPROACHABLE, FRIENDLY FACES THAT MIRROR A DESTINATION THAT IS WELCOMING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
ON BEHALF OF VISIT SAN ANTONIO WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR CENTRO AND WE SUPPORT THE CENTRO AMBASSADOR PROGRAM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. CREPINSKI.
>> GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL, GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR.
IT IS OUR GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT HAVEN FOR HOPE AND TO SPEAK ABOUT THE COLLABORATIVE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THE BARRIERS THAT THEY FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE FIND PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM AND SOMETIMES THAT BECOMES A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT BECAUSE THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BARRIERS TO OVERCOME, AND MANY OF THOSE ARE LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF I.D., CRIMINAL RECORDS, ADDICTION, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.
GAPS IN EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYER BIAS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
MY NAME IS GABRIELLE THOMAS AND THIS IS MY COLLEAGUE, MARY LOU AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT HAVEN FOR HOPE FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS.
AND ONE OF THE STRATEGIES THAT WE DO TO NAVIGATE OUR CLIENTS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF FINDING EMPLOYMENT IS TO MATCH THEIR CURRENT SKILLS THAT THEY HAVE AND TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A STRONG COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYERS THAT OPEN THEIR DOORS TO OUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NEEDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN THEIR LIFE BACK.
AND WE ABSOLUTELY VALUE THESE EMPLOYERS THAT GIVE SECOND CHANCES TO OUR FOLKS.
AND SO ONE OF THE EMPLOYERS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH, ALMOST SINCE THE FIRST DAY HAVEN FOR HOPE OPENED, IS CENTRO SAN ANTONIO.
CENTRO SAN ANTONIO ALSO COMES TO HAVEN AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH AND INTERVIEWS AND TALKS TO OUR INDIVIDUALS IN A JOB FAIR-TYPE ARENA AND INVITES THEM FOR INTERVIEWS.
SO, MARY LOU, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN SERVED.
>> THERE HAS BEEN 109 INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN HIRED AS CLEANING AND HOSPITALITY AMBASSADORS FOR THE CENTRO DISTRICT OF SAN ANTONIO.
SINCE THE VERY FIRST CLIENT THAT WAS HIRED IN 2011, THE INDIVIDUAL RECENTLY RETIRED FROM CENTRO.
AND LIKE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO GRADUATED FROM HAVEN THROUGH CENTRO, ARE LIVING HAPPY, PRODUCTIVE, INDEPENDENT LIVES.
AND HE IS SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT CENTRO GAVE HIM TO TRANSFORM HIS LIFE.
AND SO THERE'S ANOTHER LITTLE STORY THAT GABRIELLLE WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT WAS ALSO HIRED BY CENTRO.
>> SO JUST RECENTLY I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ONE OF OUR CLIENTS AND HE HAS THIS BIG INTEREST IN BOTANY.
AND SO ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS WITH CENTRO IS THEY TAKE CARE OF ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL HANGING PLANTS AND THE POTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND HE HAS TRAINED EVEN SOME OF THE STAFF ON WHAT THE FLOWERS ARE AND THE PLANTS AND HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
AND EVERY NOW AND THEN IF THERE IS A TOURIST THAT COMMENTS ON HOW BEAUTIFUL THE PLANTS ARE, HE CERTAINLY LOVES TO TALK ABOUT HOW THESE PLANTS ARE GROWN, AND SO FORTH.
AND SO HE PLANS ON CONTINUING TO WORK WITH CENTRO BUT ALSO PURSUE HIS LOVE FOR BOTANY AND PROGRESS
[00:15:07]
IN HIS WORK.>> ONE OF THE PARTS OF THE CENTRO RELATIONSHIP THAT IS SO TOUCHING AND GRATIFYING FOR US IS THAT MANY OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE A FULL CIRCLE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH CENTRO DISTRICT AND THE TOURIST AND BUSINESSES THAT THEY THRIVE HERE.
SOME OF THE SAME CLIENTS WHO WERE, AT THE TIME, HOMELESS ON OUR SAN ANTONIO STREETS WITH LITTLE HOPE OF BEING ABLE TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES ARE NOW ON THE FRONT LINES PROUDLY REPRESENTING THE CITY WHILE IMPROVING THE APPEARANCE AND SAFETY OF OUR CITY.
AGAIN, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ITY TO SPEAK AND WE WANT TO THANK CENTRO FOR CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CLIENTS.
THIS IS TRULY GREAT WORK FOR OUR CITY AND THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
MS. SHAVER, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CHRIS KELLER.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND, WOW, I GUESS IT'S APPROPRIATE TO SAY I'M TICKLED PINK.
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS FOR EIGHT YEARS.
WE SOLD WHAT WE INITIALLY THOUGHT WOULD BE OUR RETIREMENT HOME ON MUSTANG ISLAND TO MOVE TO DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO TO EXPERIENCE AN URBAN LIFESTYLE, AFTER MANY MOVES ABOUT TEXAS.
WHAT A BRILLIANT DECISION IT WAS! WE LOVE THIS WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT IS A VIBRANT PLACE OF PEOPLE, ENERGY, HISTORY, FRIENDS, HOMES, BUSINESSES, EXPERIENCES, EXPLORATION, FOOD, WATER, BEAUTY, AND SERVICE, HOSPITALITY, AND KINDNESS.
I FIND THAT CENTRO AMBASSADORS LEAD THE WAY AND SET OUT EACH DAY TO SERVE AND LIVE SAN ANTONIO HOSPITALITY AND KINDNESS.
THERE'S NO FINER GROUP OF WORKERS WHO PERFORM DAILY ACTS OF KINDNESS AND UPKEEP THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN.
CENTRO AMBASSADORS ARE MUCH LOVED BY BOTH LOCALS AND VISITORS.
I AM OUT AND ABOUT EVERY DAY AND MY EYES ARE ALWAYS DRAWN TO THE BRIGHT SHIRTS AND CAPS.
I OBSERVE THEM WHEN THEY'RE ENGAGING WITH OTHERS, WHEN THEY'RE LEADING PEOPLE, DIRECTING PEOPLE TO THEIR DESTINATIONS, OR LENDING A HELPING HAND.
AND I BELIEVE THE SMILES THEY PASS ON ALSO LIFT SPIRITS.
JUST LAST WEEK I OBSERVED A WOMAN USING A WHEELCHAIR TRYING TO MAKE HER WAY ACROSS HOUSTON STREET AND BACK UP ON THE SIDEWALK AT A CORNER.
SHE COULD NOT MANAGE THE TERRAINED SLOPE AND BEGAN TO STRUGGLE TO REACH THE SIDEWALK.
AND BEFORE I COULD RESPOND, AN AMBASSADOR HAD MADE HIS WAY TO HER.
HE HELPED HER ON TO THE SIDEWALK AND INTO THE BUSINESS SHE WAS VISITING.
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK, OUR SHOULD I SAY ALL IN A DAY'S MISSION WORK? I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE 100 OR SO AMBASSADORS AND THAT APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THEM HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING THROUGH THE WORKFORCE PROGRAM.
FROM WHAT I'VE OBSERVED, THEY HAVE CERTAINLY RECEIVED ADEQUATE TRAINING.
THEIR DAILY ENGAGEMENTS WITH OTHERS ENHANCE THEIR SOCIAL AND VERBAL SKILLS AND ENABLE THEM TO GROW IN WORK SKILLS, JUST AS EVERYONE HERE GROWS IN SKILLS EVERY DAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COLLEEN WAGONSPEAK FOLLOWED BY JUNE CATCHSTICK.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT'S GOOD TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ORGANIZED DEVELOPMENT.
NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ORGANIZED DEVELOPMENT, ALSO KNOWN AS NOD, OPPOSES CLEAR
[00:20:02]
CHANNEL'S CURRENT PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD ALLOW THAT COMPANY TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF OFF-PREMISES FACES IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT THE COMMUNITY LEARNED ABOUT THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WHEN WE FOUND THAT ALREADY MANY DEALINGS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE WITHOUT THE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.
THE CURRENT SIGN ORDINANCE WAS DRAFTED AFTER MANY HOURS OF DISCUSSION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND PRIVATE CITIZENS WHO SAT ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS OF THE SIGN ORDINANCE COMMITTEE WERE NOT INITIALLY CONTACTED FOR INPUT ON THIS PROPOSAL.
THE SIGN ORDINANCE IS UP FOR REVIEW NEXT YEAR IN 2020.
AT THAT TIME, A COMMITTEE COULD BE ONCE AGAIN FORMED TO CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR AND IMPACTS OF CHANGES TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE.
WHILE CLEAR CHANNEL'S PROPOSAL INCLUDES THE REMOVAL OF 300 SIGNS, MOST OF THESE WOULD BE THE JUNIOR BILLBOARDS WHICH AVERAGE LESS THAN 100 SQUARE FOOT EACH.
THE NEW DIGITAL FACES WILL BE 672 SQUARE FOOT EACH CREATING A MUCH LARGER VISUAL IMPACT.
WHILE SOME MAY FIND IT TEMPTING TO ACCEPT CLEAR CHANNEL'S OFFER OF REMOVE OF 300 SIGNS, WE HAVE NOT HAD A VOICE WHICH SIGNS WOULD COME DOWN.
THE MAJORITY OF THE TAKEDOWNS WILL NOT OCCUR IN THE SAME PLACE.
SEVERAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND NONPROFITS STATED THAT THE REMOVAL OF ALL OF THE JUNIOR BIG BOARDS WOULD PRICE THEM OUT OF THE ADVERTISING MARKET .
CLEAR CHANNEL'S PROPOSAL HAS ALSO SPURRED SEVERAL OTHER OUTDOOR ADVERTISING COMPANIES TO REQUEST SIMILAR DEPARTURE FROM THE SIGN ORDINANCE.
NOD BELIEVES ANY CHANGE TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE SHOULD BE DONE THROUGH THE 2020 UPDATE PROCESS.
THIS WILL ALLOW FORMATION OF A SIGN ORDINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH COULD CONSIDER WHETHER CITIZENS DESIRE MORE DIGITAL SIGNAGE, APPROPRIATE TAKEDOWN RATIOS, RATIOS OF SIGN SIZES TO BE REMOVED, AND MINIMUM TAKEDON RATIOS IN THE COUNCIL DISTRICT IN WHICH A NEW DIGITAL FACE WOULD BE INSTALLED.
THIS PROCESS WOULD ALLOW OTHER OUTDOOR SIGN COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INCREASE IN ANY DIGITAL SIGNAGE, WHICH MIGHT BE ALLOWED UNDER THE NEW SIGN ORDINANCE.
OUR SAN ANTONIO SKYLINE WILL BE CONSTANTLY CHANGING WITH THE NEW BUILDINGS GOING UP TO ACCOMMODATE OUR CITY'S GROWTH.
ADDITIONAL DIGITAL SIGNAGE WILL CLUTTER THE LANDSCAPE.
NOD REQUESTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REJECT CLEAR CHANNEL'S PROPOSAL TO ERECT MORE DIGITAL SIGNAGE.
WE ASK THAT ANY MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE NOT BE CONSIDERED UNTIL THE ORDINANCE IS UPDATED IN 2020 AT WHICH TIME THE CITY CAN CRAFT AN ORDINANCE THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
JUNE CATCHSTICK FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> GOOD MORNING, I'M JUNE COSTIC.
I'M THE BOARD CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF SCENIC SAN ANTONIO.
I RESIDE AT 3415 ROCK CREEK RUN.
WE HAVE DIVIDED OPINIONS ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL THAT CLEAR CHANNEL HAS PRESENTED.
WE ARE COMPOSED OF THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY, AIA LOCAL CHAPTER, AND SEVERAL LARGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY HAS FORWARDED THEIR OPINION TO YOU AND THEY DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ORDINANCE IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERED TODAY, BUT THEY HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES TO BRING UP.
YOU HEARD THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM NOD AND THEIR OPINION.
ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF SCENIC SAN ANTONIO, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE ORDINANCE THAT I WISH YOU WOULD CONSIDER.
AND IF YOU DON'T CONSIDER THEM TODAY, I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT WHEN THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE IS REVISED IN 2020 THAT THESE CONSIDERATIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED.
ONE IS THE ELIMINATION TO THE EXCEPTION OF THE GENERAL RULE
[00:25:01]
THAT THERE BE NO NEW BILLBOARDS.NOW, THAT'S WHAT THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY STATES IN CHAPTER 28.
HOWEVER, THERE IS AN EXCEPTION THAT ALLOWS SIGN COMPANIES TO TAKE DOWN TWO BILLBOARDS WHEN THEY PUT UP A NEW ONE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT ADDRESSED.
SECONDLY, THERE ARE SOME CITIES WHO HAVE THE TYPE OF ARRANGEMENT WITH BILLBOARDS COMPANIES THAT CLEAR CHANNEL IS PROPOSING TODAY.
BUT THEY HAVE A SUNSET PROVISION THAT THE DIGITAL BILLBOARDS WILL COME DOWN AFTER SO MANY YEARS.
WE'D LIKE TO HAVE YOU CONSIDER THAT.
THIRD, WE'RE ASKING FOR A PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHICH SIGNS WILL BE TAKEN DOWN BY CLEAR CHANNEL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
IF THERE'S A WRITTEN STATEMENT, WE CAN HAVE IT DISTRIBUTED TO COUNCIL.
>> NO, I DON'T HAVE A WRITTEN ONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP YOUR STATEMENTS THEN.
AIA HAS OFFERED TO HELP WITH THAT PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHICH SIGNS WOULD BE TAKEN DOWN AND ALSO THERE ARE SEVERAL COUNCIL PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN PARTICULAR SIGNS BEING TAKEN DOWN.
LASTLY, THERE WILL BE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT OTHER SIGN COMPANIES UNDER SEPARATE SESSION, AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE THINK THAT ALL SIGN COMPANIES OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS PROPOSAL, NOT JUST CLEAR CHANNEL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. COSTIC.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
I HAVE A FEW REMARKS TO MAKE ABOUT ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA, THE CONSENT AGENDA.
EACH ONE OF US HAVE DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WE COME ACROSS A BILLBOARD THAT JUST SUDDENLY FLASHES IN FRONT OF OUR EYES.
AND WE TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR A MERE SPLIT SECOND TO SEE WHAT IT IS.
AND KNOWING THAT IT'S ELECTRONIC, WE KNOW THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING TO COME ON.
SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THE ROAD, LOOKING AT THE BIG BOARD, LOOKING AT THE ROAD, LOOKING AT THE BILLBOARD.
DO YOU REALIZE ELECTRONIC BILLBOARDS -- YEAH, I KNOW THEY MAKE MONEY FOR THE ADVERTISERS, BUT DOGGONIT THEY ARE DISTRACTED DRIVING.
AND WE AS CITIZENS, WE TOLD THE STAFFERS AT THE PARTICULAR RESPECTIVE COMMITTEE INVOLVED THIS VERY FACT.
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO LISTEN TO US THERE.
YEAH, WE'RE HAPPY THAT A FEW OF THE STATIONARY SIGNS ARE COMING DOWN BUT, NO, DIGITAL BILLBOARDS ARE DISTRACTED DRIVING AND WE THINK THEY'RE A HAZARD.
JUST MAYBE YOU WANT TO SAY NO TO THIS THING AS WELL.
OTHER ITEM ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA, THE DREAMERS ACT.
ESPECIALLY THE SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019 TELLING CONGRESS GO AHEAD AND KEEP IT.
GO AHEAD AND PASS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT WITH IT.
YEARS AGO IT WAS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION THAT, YES SADLY, ADVERTISED SOUTH OF THE BORDER HOW PEOPLE COULD GET AROUND THE LAW ILLEGALLY SIMPLY BY BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN UP THROUGH THE COUNTRIES, UP TO THE UNITED STATES BORDER AND CLAIMING ASYLUM.
I'M SORRY THAT KIDS WERE PAWNS BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT THAT THEY STAY IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.
[00:30:01]
MAN, QUICKLY PUT THAT UP THERE, IF YOU WOULD.YEAH, WILL ESTABLISH A PATHWAY FOR CITIZENSHIP, A TEMPORARY DEFERRED ACTION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, PROVIDE CONDITIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS.
THAT'S WRONG! AND YOU NEED TO STOP IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE COUNCIL COMMENT NOW ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW ITEMS WHICH WE'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
GO AHEAD AND START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME ITEMS THAT I'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SAY SOMETHING IN SUPPORT OF, BUT I THINK MY OTHER COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THEM FIRST.
SO I'M GOING TO STICK WITH MINE RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S ITEM NO.
THAT IS A FUNDING AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT AWARD WITH BROOKS CITY BASE, THE SOUTH NEW BRAUNFELS AVENUE FROM LYSTER ROAD TO AVIATION.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE VOTERS OF THE BOND BECAUSE WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THAT WORK DONE FOR CONNECTIVITY ON THE BROOKS CAMPUS.
THIS IS JUST THE FIRST ONE OF TWO MORE AFTER THIS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS FACT TO HELP WITH CONNECTIVITY HERE.
I JUST ALSO WANT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT ON THE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE STAYING ON CONSENT, AND ONE OF THEM IS FOR THE RENAMING OF A PARK.
I WANTED TO LOAN MY SUPPORT FOR THAT AND I KNOW IT WILL BE MORE OF A HIGHLIGHT, BUT I THINK DAN DID SO MUCH ON THE BROOKS CAMPUS AND IN THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO THAT WE APPRECIATE HIM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
THERE'S A LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT 8 WHO HAS DECIDED TO DONATE A PARK.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS CALLED MAVERICK CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD.
VERY RARELY DO YOU EVER SEE A NEIGHBORHOOD DONATING LAND TO THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PARK.
AND THERE'S A SHORT VIDEO I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR AV TEAM TO PLAY.
THERE HAD BEEN A NEIGHBORHOOD WE WERE TALKING TO THAT WAS GOING TO DONATE LAND.
NEIGHBORHOODS NEVER DO THAT, BY THE WAY.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T DONATE LAND AT ALL.
BUT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACHED US AND SAID WE'VE GOT EXTRA LAND WE WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE CITY FOR A PARK.
>> THIS WILL BE THE FIRST CITY PARK THAT WAS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> THIS IS A BIG-HEARTED DONATION FROM THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE IT TO A VERY BIG-HEARTED MAN.
>> SO TO TALK ABOUT DAN MARKSON IS REALLY TO TALK ABOUT SOMEONE THAT WAS FILLED WITH PASSION, FILLED WITH LOVE, FILLED WITH CONSIDERATION.
PEOPLE WILL ASK THE QUESTION WHO WAS DAN MARKSON AND WHAT DID HE DO FOR THIS CITY? AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL SAY WITH A VERY EXCITED AND INTENTIONAL TONE THIS WAS A PERSON THAT CHANGED THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
HE WAS THERE TO HELP EVERYBODY.
ANYBODY WHO WOULD ASK FOR HELP, HE WAS THERE.
>> DAN'S LEGACY WILL BE NEVER ENDING AND IT WILL BE FELT BY MANY, MANY OF WHOM MIGHT NEVER EVEN KNOW IT.
>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT DAN MARKSON'S LEGACY OF KIDS, EVERY MEETING WE HAD THE INITIAL THOUGHT, THE INITIAL COMMENT WAS WHERE ARE THE KIDS GOING TO HANG OUT? HOW DO WE BUILD THIS FOR KIDS? HOW DO WE PROTECT THE FAMILY? I COULDN'T THINK OF A MORE FITTING REPRESENTATION AND LEGACY TO LEAVE IN HIS NAME.
>> NOT ONLY APPROPRIATE, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO HAVE A PARK NAMED AFTER HIM, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY PARKS IN SAN ANTONIO.
ON A PER CAPITA BASIS WE DON'T HAVE WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE.
SO EVERY NEW PARK IS A BIG DEAL.
>> SO IN TALKING WITH MY FAMILY AND WITH CAT, SHE SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE A PARK FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY CITY PARKS IN SAN ANTONIO AT ALL THAT HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILY.
THERE ARE MANY PARKS THAT HAVE THE OCCASIONAL PIECES OF
[00:35:02]
EQUIPMENT, BUT THERE'S NOT A CITY PARK THAT'S DESIGNED FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF NEEDS AND THIS PARK IS GOING TO BE DRAWING LOTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE.
>> I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPOWER THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND JUST UNITE OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF OUR WORLD AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY FEEL LIKE IT.
>> PELAEZ: DAN MARKSON TOUCHED EVERYBODY'S LIVES.
EVERYBODY UP HERE ON THIS DAIS.
AND MANY, MANY OF YOU IN THIS ROOM HAVE A MEMORY OF DAN TOUCHING YOUR LIVES AS WELL.
IN MANY WAYS MY CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE IS BECAUSE OF DAN MARKSON AND I CONSIDER HIM A MENTOR.
THIS PARK IS NOT JUST A PARK FOR DISTRICT 8 BUT IT'S A PARK FOR EVERYBODY IN SAN ANTONIO AND I INVITE MY COLLEAGUES TO COME WITH US WHEN WE CUT THE RIBBON ON THIS AND BREAK GROUND.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I THANK A FEW PEOPLE.
DR. BRIDGER AND HER TEAM AT PARKS.
XAVIER WAS ALSO VERY HELPFUL IN THIS.
ALSO, WHEN WE CALLED NRP AND TOLD THEM WE WANT TO DO THIS, THEY STEPPED UP AND SAID WE WANT TO DO IT WITH YOU AND WE WANT TO BE VERY HELPFUL.
THAT VIDEO IS PRODUCED BY THEM AND WE NEVER ASKED FOR THAT BUT THEY DID IT.
DEBORAH GUERRERO FROM NRP IS HERE TODAY AND SHE BROUGHT A GUEST.
DEBORAH, CAN YOU COME UP HERE, PLEASE?
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN FOR MAKING THE SUGGESTION.
AND WE AT NRP ARE VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE ALL HAVE DONE UNDER DAN'S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.
HAVING BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY, THAT'S WHERE I ACTUALLY GOT TO MEET DAN WHEN HE FIRST CAME ABOUT DEVELOPING RIGHT ACROSS FROM BROOKS AIR FORCE BASE WHEN NOTHING THERE EXISTED.
HE WAS THE VISIONARY THAT SAW WHAT COULD BE THERE AND HE DID THAT THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW.
AND SO HE WOULD BE HUMBLED, HE WOULD BE VERY HUMBLED BY THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
I HAVE TODAY WITH ME EDON AND SAMANTHA.
THEY ARE MAURY JOHN'S GUARDIANS.
THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THIS PARK IS IT'S LOCATED LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM WHERE MAURY JOHN NOW LIVES, SO IT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT THE FAMILY, HIS FAMILY, BOTH ALL OF YOU WHO HE CONSIDERED FAMILY AS WELL AS THE CITY WILL REALLY BENEFIT FROM THIS VERY, VERY SPECIAL PARK.
SO I'D LIKE TO JUST RECOGNIZE EDON AND ASK HIM IF HE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WHOLE GESTURE, BUILDING A SPECIAL NEED PARK IS ALREADY AMAZING, NAMING IT AFTER AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING THAT IS NOT WITH US ANYMORE, THAT GAVE HIS LIFE THE MAJORITY OF HIS CAREER TO BUILD AND HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT CAPABLE TO ACHIEVE.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT IS TAKING PART IN IT.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE.
AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR HELPING US FUND WHAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL PARKS, IN MY OPINION, THIS PARK BUILT WITH EQUITY AT ITS HEART AND COMPASSION FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE OTHERWISE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE A CAROUSEL OR MERRY-GO-ROUND OR SWING WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEING IN A WHEELCHAIR.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY NEAT THING TO SEE.
THANK YOU, MAYOR FOR ALLOWING ME THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOLKS FOR COMING OUT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ AND YOUR INITIATIVE IN PUTTING THIS FORWARD.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MAVERICK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR YOUR DONATION AS WELL.
AND DEBORAH, PLEASE GIVE OUR THANKS.
DAN HAS TOUCHED MANY LIVES IN THIS COMMUNITY AND I THINK EVERYONE HERE COULD WAX POETIC ABOUT DAN FOR ANOTHER HALF AN HOUR.
BUT, MAURY, THIS PARK IS FOR YOU.
I WANT TO ECHO THOSE COMMENTS.
YOU KNOW, I GOT TO KNOW DAN AND HE IS EVERYTHING YOU DESCRIBED.
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HE WAS A DISTRICT 1 CONSTITUENT, SO WE GOT TO KNOW HIM VERY WELL.AND HE WAS SOMEBODY THAT WAS VERY HANDS ON.
IN FACT, RECENTLY ON ONE OF HIS PROJECTS HE WENT OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HIMSELF AND DID A LOT OF THE PRESENTATIONS.
I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE PERSON THAT HE IS.
HE'S WILLING TO TALK TO JUST ABOUT ANYBODY AND YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT, 100%.
ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO AND PROVIDE, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
THANK YOU NOT MAVERICK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR THAT DONATION.
THAT'S TRULY A WONDERFUL GESTURE.
SWITCHING GEARS, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT'S ON OUR CONSENT --
>> PELAEZ: COUNCILMAN TREVINO, I'M SORRY.
I HATE INTERRUPTING YOU BUT I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD HELP ME BY THANKING THE IDEA WHOSE MAN THIS WAS, MR. GILL GARZA, THE HOA PRESIDENT.
AND I THINK HE DESERVES OUR APPRECIATION WITH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
AGAIN, SWITCHING GEARS, I WANT TO THANK IN OUR CONSENT IS CENTRO PID.
I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK DOWNTOWN.
LOTS OF GREAT THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ESTABLISH DOWNTOWN, THE MOMENTUM AND, OF COURSE, GREAT PEOPLE WORKING AT CENTRO.
AND OF COURSE WE HAVE A NEW C.E.O. AT CENTRO.
I WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MATT BROWN.
[APPLAUSE] WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO! WE EXPECT SOME GREAT THINGS OUT OF MATT.
OF COURSE WE HAVE SOME FOLKS FROM CENTRO IN THE BACKGROUND OVER HERE.
I ACTUALLY GOT TO WORK ALONGSIDE HER AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU THAT THE ONE THING THAT WASN'T SAID -- AND I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERY SINGLE AMBASSADOR IS JUST LIKE MARIA.
BUT I GOT TO WORK ALONGSIDE MARIA.
SHE WAS GOING AROUND ASKING HOW SHE COULD HELP EVERYBODY, AS THEY WERE WALKING AROUND.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU? ARE YOU FINDING EVERYTHING YOU NEED? HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY? OR JUST A SIMPLE, HEY, GOOD MORNING.
MARIA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOUR JOB?
WELL, LISTEN, MARIA, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND ALL THE AMBASSADORS.
TRULY, TRULY PROUD OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
YOU ARE A REALLY SHINING STAR IN OUR DOWNTOWN AND OUR CITY AS A WHOLE.
I REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
AND I SEE YOU ALL THE TIME, BY THE WAY, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AGAIN.
I WANTED TO ECHO MY THANKS TO COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, THANK YOU, FOR WORKING THIS DEAL ABOUT DAN MARKSON'S PARK.
YOU KNOW, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DAN HERE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HE WAS A FRIEND, BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.
WE WORKED ON A NUMBER OF PROJECTS UP IN DISTRICT 10 AND COMPLETED ONE OF THE MARQUEE PROJECTS THAT -- IT'S CALLED THE UPTON.
AND IF YOU EVER GET A CHANCE, IT'S RIGHT THERE ON 35 AND WURZBACH PARKWAY.
IN FACT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE OVER THERE.
BUT HE DID SO MANY THINGS AND THE PLANS AND THE VISION THAT HE HAD JUST IN MY DISTRICT WAS VERY, VERY HELPFUL, NOT ONLY TO ME AND MY NEIGHBORS BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.
THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT HERE TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO HAD THAT PERSONAL TOUCH.
AND WHEN YOU SAT DOWN TALKING WITH HIM SAYING, HEY, CAN YOU HELP ME OUT HERE, CAN WE DO THIS? YOU COULD JUST SEE THE COG WHEELS WORKING IN HIS BRAIN ON HOW HE COULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND THAT WAS A JOY AND PLEASURE IN WORKING WITH HIM WITH THESE PROJECTS.
AND THE KINDNESS THAT HE HAS SHOWN TO SAN ANTONIO, BECAUSE HE TRULY WANTED THIS PLACE TO BE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND
[00:45:02]
PLAY.SO I FULLY SUPPORT THAT AND, YOU KNOW, THIS WILL BE A LIVING MEMORIAL TO HIM FROM NOW ON.
AND I THINK WE WILL ALWAYS TREASURE HIS HELPFULNESS, KINDNESS, AND REACHING OUT TO WHERE HE THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT DONATED THE LAND TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PERRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO TAKE SOME TIME TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 28.
THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ON THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND THE MAYOR ON WHAT I THINK IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT.
THIS REALLY SHOWS OUR COMMUNITY HOW WE CAN BECOME A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THROUGH APPOINTMENTS LIKE THIS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ SOME REMARKS THAT DISABILITY SA SUBMITTED.
I MET WITH THEM LAST WEEK AND THEY WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE EFFORTS AND DETERMINATION OF ATHALIE MALONE FOR RECEIVING THIS APPOINTMENT.
SHE HAS DESIRED TO BE A VOICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ON THIS BOARD FOR A WHILE AND HAS DEMONSTRATED PERSEVERANCE IN OBTAINING HER GOAL TO SERVE.
THEY ARE THRILLED TO HAVE A VOICE REFLECTING THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES BROADENING THE DIVERSITY OF THE LEADERSHIP SERVING ON THE BOARD.
AND AS SOME OF US KNOW, MS. ATHALIE RIDES THE BUS EVERY DAY.
I'M SURE SHE RODE THE BUS TO GET HERE THIS MORNING.
DISABILITY SA WANTS TO REMIND US THAT ONE IN EVERY SEVEN INDIVIDUALS IN SAN ANTONIO LIVES WITH A DISABILITY.
DISABILITY SA IS ASKING OUR CITY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEE APPOINTEES TO INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY TO SERVE, BETTER REFLECTING THE DIVERSITY OF VOICES IN OUR CITY GOVERNANCE PROCESS.
DISABILITY SA ALSO WANTS TO INVITE US -- AND I'LL BE THERE, SO I HOPE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES CAN JOIN ME DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 FOR THE SECOND ABILITY STRONG PARADE TO HELP CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK AND DEFINE DISABILITIES.
THIS IS SAN ANTONIO'S DISABILITY PRIDE CELEBRATION EXPRESSING THE BELIEF THAT DISABILITY IS A NATURAL AND BEAUTIFUL PART OF HUMAN DIVERSITY AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY CAN TAKE PRIDE.
JOIN US AT MILAM PARK AT 9:00 A.M. TO WATCH THE PARADE AND THEN STAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACCESS FEST FROM 9:00 A.M.
I INVITE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO PUT THAT ON THEIR CALENDARS AND I BELIEVE MS. ATHALIE NOW HAS A FEW WORDS TO STAY.
ONCE AGAIN I THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE ON VIA.
FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE BEST WAY THAT I CAN.
AND ALSO TO BRING TO LIGHT THAT DISABILITY DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING.
DISABILITY MEANS WE JUST DO IT IN OUR OWN WAY.
OCTOBER IS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH AND THERE ARE SEVERAL, SEVERAL EVENTS GOING ON AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL MAKE A POINT TO BE THERE SO THAT THEY CAN SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT DISABILITIES AND ALL THAT WE DO, BUT WE JUST DO IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
ONCE AGAIN, I THANK Y'ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND TO BROADEN VIA INTO A BETTER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE BEING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ROCHA GARCIA AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING MS. MALONE TO HER OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS MORNING.
MS. MALONE, YOU HAVE BEEN AN OUTSTANDING APPOINTEE TO OUR DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMISSION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THIS MAY BE PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT VIA TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT WE HAVE EVER MADE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M VERY PROUD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING A PERSPECTIVE AND ALSO ENSURING THAT VIA, THE TRANSIT AGENCY, ON
[00:50:03]
BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY AS AN AGENCY THAT SERVES EVERYONE AND TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EVERYONE'S NEEDS.SO, MS. MALONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
FOR STEPPING FORWARD, FOR BEING A FORCE ON THE VIA BOARD.
AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GREAT YEARS AHEAD.
THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND ALL THE COUNCIL COMMENT ON THE CONSENT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 26, AND 34.
[4. Approving the following ordinances related to the Fiscal Year 2020 Operating and Capital Budget and Tax Year 2019: [Erik Walsh, City Manager; Justina Tate, Director, Management and Budget]]
ALL RIGHT.NOW, WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR, MOVE ON TO ITEM 4, OUR FY2020 BUDGET.
AND I'LL ASK OUR CLERK TO READ THE CAPTION FOR 4A.
>> AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO 2020 THAT BEGINS OCTOBER 1.
APPROVING PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 TO FISCAL YEAR 2024 FIVE-YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT PLAN, APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 TO FISCAL YEAR 2025 SIX-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
APPROVING CERTAIN CONTRACTS PROVIDED FOR A ONE-TIME ANNUITY INCREASE FOR RETIREES AND THE BENEFICIARIES, AND A REVISION TO THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION RATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AUTHORIZING PERSONNEL COMPLEMENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS, AND AMENDING RELATED ORDINANCES.
I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE OUR CITY MANAGER TO MAKE COMMENTS AND PRESENTATION ON THE BUDGET AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO CITIZEN COMMENT AND THEN COUNCIL.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
TODAY YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THE CITY'S $2.9 BILLION FY2020 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET.
I PRESENTED TO YOU THE PROPOSED SPENDING PLAN ON AUGUST 8 AND SINCE THEN YOU'VE CONDUCTED NINE WORK SESSIONS TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED PLAN.
WE'VE ALSO HAD 14 COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AND I WANT TO THANK JEFF COYLE AND LAURA MAYS AND THE ENTIRE GPA TEAM WHO COORDINATED WITH YOUR OFFICES FOR MANY OF THOSE.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET IS BALANCED, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, AND WE PREPARED A BALANCE SPENDING PLAN FOR FY 2021 THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH OUR TWO-YEAR BALANCE BUDGET STRATEGY.
THERE IS NO INCREASING IN THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAX RATE.
AS A REMINDER, THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAX MAKES UP ABOUT 20% OF THE ANNUAL TAX BILL FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THE FY 2020 BUDGET ALSO REFLECTS THE CITY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING TARGETED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
AND IN TOTAL, ESTIMATED $61 MILLION IN THE FY 2020 BUDGET IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE WILL BE FOREGONE BY THE CITY AS A RESULT OF SENIOR AND DISABLED EXEMPTIONS, A FREEZE ON CITY PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS FOR THOSE OVER 65, AND THE NEWLY-ADOPTED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON JUNE 24TH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER.
AS THE COUNCIL IS AWARE, THE FISCAL ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING AND WE WILL BE MANAGING THROUGH THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK WHEN WE SIT BACK AND LOOK AT THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE, THE BUDGET REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES THAT WERE RECEIVED BY ALMOST 11,000 RESIDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE BUDGET INPUT PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE JUNE 21 GOAL-SETTING SESSION THAT YOU HAD.
AS A REMINDER, THE FY 2020 BUDGET FOCUSED ON FIVE KEY AREAS.
STRONG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, POLICE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
THE BUDGET INCLUDES A TOTAL OF $1.6 MILLION THAT'S DEDICATED TOWARDS THAT BROAD CAUGHT OF STRONG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
THAT ADDRESSES FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE PREVENTS AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING WAS INCLUDED WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF $1.3 MILLION THAT FOCUSES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVES AND ADDING 16 POLICE OFFICERS TO INCREASE SUPERVISION FOR THE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM AND ENHANCE FOLLOW UP FOR VICTIMS. THE FY 2020 BUDGET ALSO CONTINUES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HOUSING TASK FORCE FOR A TOTAL OF $34.4 MILLION ALLOCATED TO HOUSING.
WE HAD TO BE A LITTLE CREATIVE AND I THINK THE TEAM DID A GREAT JOB FROM THE PROPOSED BUDGET UTILIZING FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND, FEDERAL GRANTS, AND LEVERAGING OUTSIDE RESOURCES FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
FINALLY, THE BUDGET MAINTAINS FUNDING FOR STREET MAINTENANCE AT $110 MILLION AND WILL FUND
[00:55:01]
OVER 1300 PROJECTS.50% OF THE FUNDING WILL BE ALLOCATED BASED ON THE DISTRICTS' NETWORK BUT 50% ALLOCATED ON THE SIZE OF THE NETWORK.
AFTER OUR FINAL WORK SESSION YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I PROVIDED A MEMORANDUM, AND YOU'VE GOT A COPY OF IT AS WELL AS AN UPDATED AMENDMENT LIST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
WITH THESE AMENDMENTS AND THOSE ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE MEMO, THE BUDGET REMAINS BALANCED FOR FY 20 AND 21.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BUDGET STAFF WHO SPENT THEIR ENTIRE -- I WAS GOING TO SAY SUMMER BUT IT WAS PROBABLY SINCE LATE SPRING WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO PREPARE THE PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL AND OF THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEIR STAFFS.
THEY'VE WORKED JUST AS HARD TO PREPARE THE BUDGET, PREPARE FOR THE MEETINGS WITH ME IN JULY.
PREPARE AND PRESENT TO YOU THEIR DETAILED PLANS ON WHAT THEY'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR AND WHAT'S ON THE TABLE FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND MANY OF THEM PARTICIPATED IN THOSE 14 EVENTS THAT WE HAD OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR THEIR DILIGENCE IN LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
COLLEEN, ROD, LORI, CARLOS, ANDY, LIZ, JOHN, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT A TEAM EFFORT.
THIS IS A HUGE EFFORT AND I'M CERTAINLY PROUD OF THE ORGANIZATION.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK SPECIFICALLY MARIA, JUSTINE, AND BEN.
THEY WERE EXTREMELY DILIGENT AND CERTAINLY MAKE A REALLY GOOD TEAM.
YOU KNOW, ANY CITY MANAGER OR ANY EXECUTIVE ANYWHERE KNOWS THAT YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE BEST, AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT I'VE GOT THAT AND I'M VERY FORTUNATE.
FINALLY, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I'D LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A GROUP, BECAUSE I THINK YOUR WORK THAT YOU STARTED ON JUNE 21 IN THE WORK SESSION REALLY SET THE TEMPO AND GAVE US THE GUIDANCE -- IT GAVE ME THE GUIDANCE THAT WAS KEY TO THE FINAL PRODUCT TODAY.
AND MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
SO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WATCHING EITHER HERE WITH US OR ONLINE OR ON TV HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE.
THIS IS A VERY ORCHESTRATED MEETING TODAY SO I JUST WANTED TO SUMMARIZE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING.
I THINK SOME THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
FIRST UP WILL BE OUR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ALL CITIZEN COMMENT ON THE FY 2020 BUDGET.
WE'LL THEN MOVE ON TO OUR COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS ON THE BUDGET.
AT THAT POINT WE'LL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH EACH OF THE PROCEDURAL VOTES ON THE BUDGET.
WHAT'S NEW IS THAT OUR COUNCIL NOW WILL STAY SEATED.
MANY OF US -- I THINK EVERYONE HAS AN ITEM OR TWO THAT THEY WILL NEED TO BE RECUSED FROM TO AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF CONFLICT.
RATHER THAN LEAVING THE DAIS, THE COUNCIL MEMBER WILL PLACE THE RECUSAL SIGN NEXT TO THEM AND NOT VOTE, NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION.
AND THEN REMOVE IT WHEN THEY ARE BACK IN FULL PARTICIPATION WITH THE COUNCIL.
SO EVERYONE WILL STAY SEATED AND WE'LL MOVE THROUGH, I THINK, VERY EXPEDITIOUSLY.
WE'LL BEGIN NOW WITH OUR CITIZENS TO BE HEARD PUBLIC HEARING PORTION OF THE BUDGET.
AND I'LL CALL THE FIRST GROUP.
IT'S THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS, DR. PAUL RUIZ, DR. GLORIA RODRIGUEZ, AND DR. ESCOVEL PENA.
THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OLGA RODRIGUEZ.
DR. RUIZ, ARE YOU ALL SPEAKING IN A GROUP?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M SORRY? ALL THREE OF YOU TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU'LL EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO BE IN THE CHAMBER AND LISTEN TO ALL THE WONDERFUL COMMITTED, DEDICATED, PASSIONATE CITIZENS THAT MAKE UP OUR CITY.
I'M SO HONORED TO BE PART OF IT.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
IT'S A NEW ENTITY, IT'S A 501(C)(3).
CURRENTLY WE HAVE NO FORMAL AGREEMENTS WITH SYSTEMS, INSTITUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, OR ANY OTHER ENTITIES AS WE SEE THAT OUR WORK MUST LEAD US IN THAT DIRECTION.
OUR GOAL IS TO COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, AND BUSINESS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO GET OUR WORK DONE.
PLEASE KNOW THAT THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE IS TO TEACH, EDUCATE, AND RECORD THE
[01:00:01]
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEXICAN AMERICANS AND THE COMMUNITY ITS SERVES AND THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO IT TO THE STATE AND TO THE NATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN PARTICULAR.AND TO THE FAIR TREATMENT OF ALL PEOPLE.
ALSO NOTE THAT OUR EFFORT IS NOT A MUSEUM.
I INDICATED LAST NIGHT THAT WE'RE NOT DEAD YET.
OURS IS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE THAT WE IMAGINE WILL LIVE FOR 80, 90 YEARS.
THE INSTITUTE WILL SHOWCASE HISTORIC CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY SAN ANTONIO'S MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN CIVIL RIGHTS WHERE MAJOR TRENDS, TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERS, AND SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE EMERGED AND HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH THE STATE AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF THE INSTITUTE, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU, COUNCIL LADY VIAGRAN, COUNCIL LADY ROCHA GARCIA, COUNCIL LADY ANDREWS-SULLIVAN, COUNSEL -- COUNCIL LADY HAVRDA AND COUNCILMAN PERRY AND PELAEZ.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN TREVINO AND COUNCIL LADY GONZALES BECAUSE THEY HAVE WALKED ALONGSIDE FOR THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS GUIDING US THROUGH THE CULTURE OF CITY STRUCTURE.
DR. L. COUGH KAUFMAN A RENOWNED LAWYER AND PROFESSOR AT ST.
MARY'S UNIVERSITY REMINDS US THAT NO CITY IN THE U.S. HAS HAD AS MUCH TO DO WITH MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AS OUR PRECIOUS SAN ANTONIO.
FROM THE FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS TO ITS ROLE AS THE CAPITAL TO THE ALAMO AND TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE STRONGEST MEXICAN AMERICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN THE LOCUST, THE CRUCIBLE OF MEXICAN CIVIL RIGHTS FOR OVER 70 YEARS.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, DR. RUIZ.
DR. GLORIA RODRIGUEZ FOLLOWED BY DR. ESCOVEL PENA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THERE ARE OVER 160 CIVIL RIGHTS CENTERS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NATION, BUT NOT ONE FOR MEXICAN AMERICANS.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE APPLAUDED FOR THEIR GREAT JOB.
TODAY, BECAUSE OF OUR EXCELLENCE, SAN ANTONIO GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP WE WILL MAKE HISTORY.
I AM DR. GLORIA RODRIGUEZ, VICE CHAIR OF THE NEWLY-INCORPORATED NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
I AM HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PLANNING GRANT TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST-EVER CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO WHERE 63% OF THE POPULATION IS MEXICAN AMERICAN.
AS FORMER MAYOR HENRY CISNEROS STATED IN HIS LETTER OF SUPPORT, SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN A CITY OF MANY FIRSTS IN THIS CIVIL RIGHTS ARENA.
AND THUS IS CLEARLY THE CITY IN WHICH SUCH A CENTER SHOULD BE DEVELOPED.
HE SAID IT IS CERTAINLY TRUE THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN A PLATFORM FOR NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS.
THE INCUBATOR OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS MALDEF, IDRA, AVANCE, SOUTHWEST VOTER.
THE FOCAL POINT OF KEY NATIONAL MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS AND HAS SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SUCH A CENTER WOULD CREATE A PHYSICAL SITE AND SERVE AS A MONUMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEERS SUCH AS WILLY VELASQUEZ AND EMMA AS WELL AS PROVIDE A VENUE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH, PRODUCTIONS OF BOOKS AND REPORTS AND FOR CONFERENCES.
THE TIMING COULD NOT BE MORE PERFECT THAN NOW TO DEVELOP THIS PREMIER EDUCATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER.
AT A TIME WHEN MEXICAN AMERICANS ARE BEING STEREOTYPED AND INCORRECTLY PORTRAYED AS DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, AND MURDERS, IT IS TIME THAT WE STAND UP AND CORRECT THE RECORD AND SHOWCASE THE GOOD THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY OUR STRONG, DEDICATED, AND OUTSTANDING MEXICAN AMERICAN LEADERS AND PIONEERS.
THROUGH VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES CHILDREN WILL LEARN WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY CAME FROM, LEARN ABOUT THE CITY'S HISTORY AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LEADERS WHO FOUGHT INJUSTICE AND
[01:05:03]
INEQUALITIES.WE WANT TO INSPIRE ALL OUR YOUTH TO BECOME OUR FUTURE CHANGE AGENTS AND TO BECOME MORE COMPASSIONATE AND UNDERSTANDING.
WE WANT TO UNITE OUR CITY TO BRING DIVERSE PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ALL SECTORS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR SHARED HISTORY.
WE PLAN TO USE THIS CITY INVESTMENT TO LEVERAGE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO CONTINUE TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND THE INSTITUTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, DR. RODRIGUEZ.
>> LIKE PAUL, I TOO WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT WE APPROACHED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, DR. RODRIGUEZ.
I'M DR. PENA, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY AND A NEW BOARD MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
HONORABLE MAYOR RON NIRENBERG AND ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AT THE URGING OF MY FELLOW BOARD COLLEAGUES, MY COMMENT WILL COME IN THE FORM OF EXCERPTS FROM A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM DR. DIANE MELBY, PRESIDENT OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY.
WITH THE CELEBRATION OF OUR CITY'S TRICENTENNIAL IN OUR RECENT MEMORY, WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE THAT SAN ANTONIO HOLDS A UNIQUE PLACE IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF CIVIC LIFE, INCLUDING CIVIL RIGHTS.
AS A UNIVERSITY ROOTED IN THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A PARTNER WITH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN ADVANCING CIVIL RIGHTS SINCE THE CONGREGATION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE ESTABLISHED OUR UNIVERSITY ON PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATIONAL ACCESS.
OUR ENGAGEMENT IN THE MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS TAKEN MANY FORMS OVER THE YEARS, SERVING AS THE INCUBATOR FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE LATINA AND LATINO COMMUNITY.
ONE SUCH EXAMPLE, THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, NOW HAS OVER 500-MEMBER INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE U.S., PUERTO RICO, LATIN AMERICA, AND SPAIN.
THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE ON THE U.S.
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS HEARING ON MEXICAN AMERICANS IN SOUTHWEST CRYSTALLIZED FOR ME, FOR OUR PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT MELBY, JUST HOW CENTRAL SAN ANTONIO IS TO THE STORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR THE LATINA AND LATINO COMMUNITY.
THE FACT THAT THE HEARING AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE HAPPENED ON OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS REVEALED HOW CONNECTED WE ARE TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS FOR MEXICAN AMERICANS AND ALL WHO RESIDE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I AM CLEAR THAT SAN ANTONIO IS A RIGHTFUL PLACE FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY IS PREPARED TO SUPPORT THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTE AND I WOULD WELCOME A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD OF THE INSTITUTE AND OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY SHOULD THEY DETERMINE A UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP IS THE IDEAL CONTEXT THROUGH WHICH TO INCUBATE SUCH A WORTHWHILE ENDEAVOR.
SO ON BEHALF OF PRESIDENT MELBY OF OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY, THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DR. PENA.
OLGA RODRIGUEZ -- OH, IT SAYS HERE RODRIGUEZ.
MS. KAUFMAN, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LEO GOMEZ.
MY NAME IS OLGA GARZA KAUFMAN AND I WAS INVITED TO JOIN THIS BOARD BY GLORIA GARZA RODRIGUEZ, AND WHEN SHE FIRST TOLD ME ABOUT IT IT SEEMED LIKE A LOT OF WORK BUT I HAD VERY PERSONAL REASONS FOR STEPPING IN AND HELPING OUT.
I GREW UP IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY IN A FARM WORKER FAMILY AND I WENT TO A SEGREGATED MEXICAN SCHOOL AND I NEVER HAD ACCESS TO ANY OF THE HISTORY OF MY PEOPLE, OF THE MEXICAN AMERICANS IN TEXAS.
I KNEW THE HISTORY OF MEXICO BECAUSE OF MY MOTHER WAS A VERY WELL-READ WOMAN AND SHE REALLY BELIEVED IN EDUCATION AND TAUGHT ME HOW TO READ SPANISH WHEN I WAS 4 YEARS OLD, SO I STARTED READING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MEXICO BACK THEN.
THEN I STARTED SCHOOL AND OF COURSE I LEARNED ABOUT THE ALAMO AND DAVY CROCKETT AND ALL OF THE HISTORY OF TEXAS BUT NEVER THE HISTORY OF WHO I AM.
SO THIS IS WHY I AM PUTTING A LOT OF MY VOLUNTEER TIME INTO THIS ORGANIZATION.
I WANT TO DO IT FOR MY CHILDREN, MY GRANDCHILDREN, AND MY GREAT GRANDCHILDREN SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE ACCESS TO THIS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR PEOPLE THAT I DIDN'T HAVE UNTIL I WAS
[01:10:01]
AN ADULT.AND THAT KNOWLEDGE CAME TO ME AT A PRICE BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY TUITION WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, AND I TOOK EVERY ETHNIC STUDIES COURSE THERE WAS, BUT I WAS GLAD TO DO IT BECAUSE THE REWARD WAS GREAT.
I AM VERY CENTERED IN WHO I AM.
I KNOW THE HISTORY OF MY PEOPLE.
I KNOW THE SACRIFICES THAT THOSE BEFORE US HAVE MADE TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
AND THIS IS WHY I REALLY, REALLY URGE YOU TO FUND OUR PROJECT AT THE $250,000 LEVEL SO THAT OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND HAVE THE RESOURCES TO RESEARCH WHATEVER THEY WANT TO RESEARCH RELATED TO MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND TEXAS HISTORY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN TREVINO AND COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES AND COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL FOR THEIR HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
WE WERE DOING THE WORK AND THE RESEARCH AND GRAND WRITING FOR THIS PROJECT AND I URGE YOU TO PLEASE SUPPORT US.
OUR CHILDREN ARE DEPENDENT ON IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. KAUFMAN.
LEO GOMEZ FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRIBUTE TO DAN MARKSON.
ABSOLUTELY AMONG THE ORIGINAL BROOKS BELIEVERS.
AND MORE THAN THAT, A BELIEVER IN SAN ANTONIO.
BOY, DID HE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND SAYING WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT DAN MARKSON.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER, MY NAME IS LEO GOMEZ.
I AM THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF BROOKS, THE BROOKS CITY BASE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, PROUDLY LOCATED IN DISTRICT 3, COUNCILWOMAN, AND WONDERFULLY BELONGING TO ALL OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO SAY BUT I WANT TO START BY RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVELY SMOOTH BUDGET PROCESS OF THIS YEAR.
AND I KNOW THAT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN.
THE TEAM ON YOUR STAFF LED BY A CITY MANAGER HAD TO WORK WITH YOU ALL AND SHOW THE TEAMWORK THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS ON ITS COUNCIL ALONG WITH ITS NEW CITY MANAGER AND OUR STAFF.
AND I THINK YOU SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT, AND I WANT TO ADD MY RECOGNITION TO IT.
[APPLAUSE] I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO DO SOMETHING WE DO AT BROOKS, AND THAT'S CELEBRATE THE HAPPY NEW FISCAL YEAR ON OCTOBER 1ST.
WE LITERALLY THROW A PARTY AND CELEBRATE IT, MR. CITY MANAGER.
THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ARE WITHIN THE BUDGET.
AND THE FIRST ONE IS A REQUEST THAT WAS MADE BY COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN FOR $500,000, I BELIEVE, OUT OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET TO COMPLETE THE PREDEVELOPMENT WORK THAT'S NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A PROJECT TO BE COMMITTED FOR THE NEXT BOND ISSUE FOR A POLICE SUBSTATION IN DISTRICT 3.
WE WANT SAN ANTONIO'S FINEST AND WE WANT MORE OF THEM.
WITH THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE HAVING, WE NEED MORE STREETS.
WE NEED INVESTMENT IN MORE UTILITIES, PARKS, SIDEWALKS, COMMUNITY CENTERS AND, YES, A POLICE SUBSTATION THERE IN DISTRICT 3.
AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT CONSIDERATION AND WE THANK YOU FOR WORKING AS YOU CONSIDER THIS BUDGET.
I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AND THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND THE TEAM FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT ARE PROPOSED FOR OFFICERS IN TARGETED ZONES.
ENTERTAINMENT ZONES, GROWTH ZONES, CERTAINLY WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING AT BROOKS BUT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
AGAIN, PLEASE TAKE OUR APPRECIATION ON BEHALF OF BROOKS.
COUNCILWOMAN, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU THROUGH THE PREDEVELOPMENT PROCESS ON THAT POLICE SUBSTATION AND PROPOSING SOMETHING THAT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL WILL EMBRACE AND SUPPORT US WITH AND ULTIMATELY THE VOTERS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GOMEZ.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF A GOOD OLD SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
BY GOLLY IT'S BUDGET TIME AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TURN YOUR POCKETS INSIDE OUT AGAIN THERE.
EVERY YEAR WE'RE TOLD MONEY IS TIGHT.
DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY FOR A TAX CUT IN OUR HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.
WE HAVEN'T RAISED THE TAX RATES.
YEAH, BUT OUR BILL KEEPS GOING UP BECAUSE OF THE VALUATION.
THEY SAY BE GLAD YOU GOT A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION BUT WE STILL CAN'T AFFORD ANY MONEY FOR YOU, THE TAXPAYER.
BUT LO AND BEHOLD I NOTICED THAT ALMOST LIKE CLOCKWORK THE CITY PUBLIC SERVICE PULLS A RABBIT
[01:15:02]
OUT OF THEIR HAT.AND, BY GOLLY, THEY MANAGED TO BRING OUT -- WHAT IS IT? NEARLY $8 MILLION WE CAN FUND FOR SOME MORE GOODIES.
THAT'S WHY I'VE SEEN SO MANY -- I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT DOGGONIT, IT JUST SEEMS SO TRUE.
PEOPLE WHO WANT THIS AND THAT FOR THEIR SPECIAL PET PROJECTS.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THESE THINGS.
MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, JUST PUT THAT UP THERE AND WE'LL SKIM DOWN SOME OF THE THINGS THERE.
WHAT DOES IT SAY? IF YOU CAN READ IT.
IT LOOKS SO BLEACHED OUT THERE.
LET'S LOOK AT ITEM NO. 2 THERE.
VIVA -- YOU CAN HARDLY READ IT THERE.
ANYWAY, GO DOWN TO ITEM NO. 4, THE YELLOW.
WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? FUNDING FOR -- I CAN BARELY READ IT MYSELF.
MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, BRING IT BACK TO ME, WOULD YOU? YEAH.
ANYWAY, WHAT DOES IT SAY? FUNDING FOR A CONTRACTOR IN AUDIO].
NO. 6, ADDS FUNDS FOR A SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE FOR A PILOT PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
GIRLS EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT, 25 GRAND FOR THAT.
AND THEN, YES, WHAT DOES IT SAY HERE? WHAT YOU HAVE HAD HERE TODAY, MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE.
I HAVE A NEWS FLASH FOR MS. GONZALES AND EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE CROWD, YOU ALREADY GOT CIVIL RIGHTS.
IF YOU WANT MORE, PLEASE GET THEM ON YOUR OWN DIME, NOT ON THE BACKS OF THE ELECTRIC BILL RATEPAYER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THAT'S EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON OUR BUDGET TODAY.
AGAIN, WE HAVE SEVERAL PROCEDURAL VOTES.
WE'LL TAKE UP COMMENT NOW FROM OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL.
AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND START AND I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE BUDGET PROCESS IS A YEAR-ROUND PROCESS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND THEY'RE CERTAINLY NEVER EASY.
MONTHS OF DELIBERATION AND WORK HAVE BEEN POURED INTO A MORE EQUITABLE DOCUMENT THAT WILL SERVE AS A DECLARATION OF OUR SERVICE TO SAN ANTONIO.
IN A SENSE THIS IS WHAT THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO EXPECT US TO DO EACH YEAR BUT I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND PARTICULAR THANKS TO SOME FOLKS WHO ARE HERE IN THIS ROOM.
MY COLLEAGUES TO MY RIGHT AND TO MY LEFT FIGHT EARNESTLY AND HONESTLY FOR THEIR RESIDENTS EVERY DAY, BUT MANY OF THE MATERIAL RESULTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED DIRECTLY IN OUR ANNUAL BUDGETS.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS GONZALES, TREVINO, AND SANDOVAL FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS.
MALDEF, SOUTHWEST VOTER, COPS, AVANCE AND PREP ARE ABLE TO WATCH AS THIS COUNCIL STANDS UP AMIDST A CLIMATE OF BIGOTRY AND FEAR TO DECLARE THAT MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MATTER AND THEY START RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PELAEZ, COURAGE, AND PERRY SHOULD BE COMMENTED FOR THEIR VIGILANCE IN REMINDING US THAT THESE BUDGETS WORK EXPRESSLY TO SERVE OUR TAXPAYERS, OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR NEIGHBORS.
AND SO WE WORK EVERY DAY TO SERVE AS HONEST STEWARDS OF THE PUBLIC TRUST, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT WE'LL VOTE ON TODAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN, YOU ARE FINALLY ON YOUR WAY TO GETTING THAT POLICE SUBSTATION.
AND OF COURSE OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS JADA ANDREWS-SULLIVAN, MELISSA CABELLO HAVRDA, AND ADRIANA ROCHA GARCIA JUMPED RIGHT INTO THIS BUDGET PROCESS LITERALLY THE DAY AFTER BEING SWORN IN AND STARTED FIGHTING FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS ON DAY ONE.
TODAY IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WE'LL BE PASSING THE CITY'S FIRST BUDGET LED BY AN ELECTED-WOMEN MAJORITY OF CITY COUNCIL.
AND, ERIK -- [APPLAUSE] ERIK, YOU DID IT! YOUR FIRST BUDGET.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IT WASN'T SO BAD, RIGHT? [LAUGHTER] ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US HERE, THANK YOU, ERIK.
YOUR TEAM WORKED TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER ON A BUDGET THAT DECLARES A CITY SERVICE TO EVERY CORNER AND EVERY RESIDENT OF SAN ANTONIO.
MARIA, JUSTINA, BEN, YOU HAVE ALL DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
LET'S GET ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE, FOR OUR INCREDIBLE CITY STAFF.
[01:20:08]
AND I THINK EVERYONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW MUCH WORK GOES INTO THIS.I HOPE NEIGHBORS, WHEN THEY CAN HEAR THE DELIBERATIONS THAT WE GO THROUGH CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S CITY STAFF THAT HAS TO MAKE ALL THAT MATERIAL.
AND EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT YOU COULD SEE IN AND OUT OF THE OFFICES ALL THE WAY INTO THE LATEST HOURS OF THE NIGHT OUR CITY STAFF HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
SO THIS BUDGET CONTAINS A LOT OF IMPORTANT THINGS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WE HAVE A GENERAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, WHICH IS BEING ADDED WITH NO TAX RATE INCREASE.
[APPLAUSE] WE HAVE $820.3 MILLION DEVOTED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, COMPRISING 64% OF OUR TOTAL BUDGET, ADDRESSING ONE OF THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT CONCERNS OF ANY CITY.
OUR FY 2020 BUDGET WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR THE SEARCH AND HIRE OF A CHIEF HOUSING OFFICER, WHICH IS THE FIRST PRIORITY OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND THE RESULT OF THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE.
AND THIS YEAR, YEAR TWO OF THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE REPORT, WHICH IS RATIFIED LAST SEPTEMBER, WE'LL BE ADDING $34.4 MILLION IN TOTAL TO BE DEDICATED TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES FOR EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY, PRIMARILY THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S $110 MILLION IN OUR TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN AND BUILD GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CITY AND I DO ALWAYS WANT TO POINT BACK TO A REFERENCE WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALES AND VIAGRAN AND I JOINED THIS COUNCIL, THAT TOTAL WAS $35 MILLION.
ON CLIMATE, WE'RE PURCHASING UP TO FOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND INSTALLING EV CHARGEING -- AROUND OUR CLIMATE ISSUES AND THERE WILL BE FUNDING SET ASIDE IN THIS BUDGET TO PERFORM ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY THE UPCOMING CLIMATE AND ADAPTATION PLAN.
SMALLER ITEMS BUT MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS DEDICATED TO COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
$1 MILLION DEDICATED TO COMBATING HOMELESSNESS WITH A 50-CENT CENT INCREASE TO THE RIVER BARGE AND TOWER OF AMERICAS TICKETS.
OF COURSE WE ARE VERY PROUD AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT THIS CITY HAS LOUDLY DECLARED FROM EVERY CORNER, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, THAT WE ARE FUNDING THE ALAMO PROMISE.
OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MOON SHOT, TUITION-FREE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR SAN ANTONIO'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND THE BEST SHOT WE HAVE OF ENDING THE INTRACTABLE GENERATIONAL POVERTY THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR MORE THAN A GENERATION.
WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY SPENDING IN ALL DEPARTMENTS BUT BEYOND THE MONETARY EQUITY WE EMPLOY AND ADDRESSING OUR GREATEST NEEDS, I HOPE IT CAN CONTINUE TO FURTHER THE CONVERSATION OF EQUITY.
THIS BUDGET CAN AND SHOULD BE A PRIMARY TOOL TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON LIFTING UP OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AND I'LL AGAIN QUOTE MY COLLEAGUE IN DISTRICT 9 BY SAYING THIS IS NOT JUST A SPREADSHEET, THIS IS A MORAL DOCUMENT FOR OUR CITY.
SO BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS A BUDGET THAT SERVES OUR TAXPAYERS, HONORS OUR HERITAGE AND BUILDS A FRAMEWORK TO PROVIDE SOCIOECONOMIC AND STRUCTURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EACH AND EVERY SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE.
SO THANK YOU TO EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE WHO FAITHFULLY SERVES THIS COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU TO ERIK AND YOUR TEAM ON A JOB WELL DONE.
AND THANK YOU TO MY CITY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR BEING SUCH DILIGENT PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
AND LADY -- I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ADD ON THAT WHY I BELIEVE WE ARE SEEING THESE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE WAYS OF INVESTMENT AND PUTTING THE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES WITH STRONG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
I THINK IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A MAJORITY WOMEN ON THE COUNCIL AND WE HAVE SO MANY WOMEN LEADERS AT OUR CITY AND OUR DEPARTMENTS LEADS.
AND IT GIVES A NEW PERSPECTIVE THAT MAYBE WAS NOT THERE BEFORE.
SO I THINK THAT HELPED GUIDE AND MOVE THE CONVERSATION AROUND.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS BUDGET, ERIK AND MARIA, EVERYONE.
IT SHOWS OUR COMMITMENT TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE BURDENS TO THE RESIDENTS, BUT IT ALSO CONTINUES TO INVEST IN EQUITY.
MAYBE NOT EQUITY THE WAY I SEE IT, BUT IT'S STILL MOVING THE NEEDLE TOWARDS EQUITY.
IT IS RELIEVING THOSE BURDENS TO RESIDENTS BECAUSE OF THAT LOCAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, COUNCIL MEMBER PERRY AND COURAGE.
IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR ALSO WORK, COUNCILMAN COURAGE, TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT SAWS AND SEE THE INCREASED INVESTMENT FROM SAWS.
IT ALSO IS THE NO TAX INCREASES AND IT IS THE ENHANCING FOCUS
[01:25:03]
I DO HAVE TO SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD -- ERIK, THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR, AS I HAVE BEEN, IS THE NEED FOR MORE INVESTMENT AND WHAT TO DO WITH OUR CITY EMPLOYEES.WE HAVE TO BE DILIGENT, RESPECTFUL IN OUR MONEY THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN WORKING ON THE SYSTEM FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO MAKE IT RIGHT, TO MAKE IT FIT FOR THEM.
TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION AND BEING THE EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.
ALL THE ARGUMENTS AND POINTS THAT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES HAVE MADE FOR OUR COUNCIL AIDE PAY ARE TRUE, BUT WE CAN MAKE THOSE SAME FOR OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AS WELL.
LET'S INCLUDE AFSCME AND OTHERS IN THAT CONVERSATION WHEN WE RELOOK AT OUR PAY AND OUR WAGE COMPENSATION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO COMING FORWARD IN THIS NEXT YEAR.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CITY MANAGER, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AND THE RESIDENTS FOR A CLEAR PATH FORWARD FOR A POLICE SUBSTATION IN DISTRICT 3.
ERIK, IT WAS MORE THAN JUST A VERBAL COMMITMENT THAT YOU MADE, IT HAS BEEN A MONETARY COMMITMENT THAT YOU'VE MADE.
AND I THINK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR SEEING THAT AND FOR BELIEVING IN IT AND FOR MAKING THAT INVESTMENT NOW TO SHOW THAT WE DO NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON EQUITY IN THIS PATH.
I DO WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 3, ESPECIALLY AND SPECIFICALLY THE MISSION SAN JOSE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, EASTERN TRIANGLE GROUP, E-SAN ANTONIO CRIME COALITION, THE HOT WELLS MISSION REACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, ROOSEVELT PARK MEMBERS, THE RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR LENDING THEIR VOICE, FOR LOLA GREGORI FOR STARTING THE PETITION.
THEY HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THIS AND LOANED THEIR VOICES.
ALSO RESIDENTS FROM DISTRICTS 2 AND 4 WHO CAME FORWARD AS WELL TO LOAN THEIR VOICE AND SAY A POLICE SUBSTATION IN DISTRICT 3 WILL HELP ALL OF US IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 90.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION TO MY RESIDENTS THAT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO BE ENCOURAGED ABOUT IN THIS BUDGET.
TO ERIK AND THE STAFF'S POINT, TCI ALREADY IN THE BUDGET FOR TCI.
WE HAVE THE SIDEWALK SQUAD OR CREW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING WITH THOSE -- THE SIDEWALK SQUAD -- THANK YOU, RAZI.
WE ALSO HAVE THE ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS PER COUNCIL DISTRICT, SO WE CAN WORK ON ITEMS AS WELL.
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL ALSO FOR THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING ON MISSION ROAD, FOR COMPLETING THOSE SIDEWALKS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THOSE MORE SAFE OFFICERS THAT ARE ALREADY BAKED INTO THE BUDGET HERE, AND SOME WILL BE IN THE EAST SIDE SUBSTATION.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK, FOR THOSE OFFICERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONES AND FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO CAME OUT LAST NIGHT AT CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
THANK YOU FOR COMING LAST NIGHT AND SPEAKING UP.
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE AND WE HAVE INCREASED THE BUDGET, MORE DOLLARS.
WE ARE LOOKING AT MORE DOLLARS FOR THE HOPE TEAM AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU, GINGER AND EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD ON THE HOPE TEAM, THAT WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THAT BUDGET AS WELL.
AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR COMING LAST L NIG.
THANK YOU FOR COMING FOR ALL OF THESE MEETINGS AND ALL OF THESE EVENTS AND FOR SPEAKING UP AND SPEAKING TO US AS A COUNCIL.
SHE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR OUR BELOVED CITY, OUR SOUTH SIDE, AND OUR STORY.
YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT HERE BECAUSE THREE YEARS AGO AT THE OLD MISSION DRIVE-IN THEATER, I HAD THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW ON THE SCREEN [INDISCERNIBLE].
WHEN I FIRST SAW IT IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS A STORY I DIDN'T KNOW.
AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I COULD SHOW IT AT THE OLD MISSION DRIVE THEATER IN THE COMMUNITY SO EVERYBODY COULD SEE IT.
AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RESIDENTS FROM THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD COME OUT AND WATCH THIS MOVIE FOR FREE.
IT WAS A TIME WHERE PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS WERE OUT THERE TAKING
[01:30:02]
IT ALL IN AND SAYING, WAIT A MINUTE, THAT'S A GARCIA.AND WHAT I ENVISION THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS TO CONTINUE THAT.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT.
AND TO YOUR POINT, THE TIMING COULDN'T BE MORE PERFECT BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF ALSO CELEBRATING OUR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH THIS STARTING WEEKEND WITH THE GRITO.
WE DO KNOW THAT OUR FORMER MAYOR, AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WILL BE TAKING THE STAGE TONIGHT FOR THE CANDIDATE FORUM.
WE KNOW THE GI FORUM WAS ALSO HERE.
AND THEN I ALSO HAD -- BECAUSE OF YOUR WORDS AND YOUR
>> BECAUSE OF YOUR WORDS AND YOUR WORK, IT HAD ME THINKING OF ALL THESE THINGS I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT.
I HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE TO SEE THE ONE-MAN PLAY OF LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS.
AND IT WAS -- IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, YOU NEED TO GO SEE IT.
BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THEY TALKED ABOUT WAS THAT THE -- THEY WANTED TO KILL OUR STSTORE STORIES, OUR MEMORIES AND OUR PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS INSTITUTE WILL HELP -- WILL ENSURE THAT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN.
AND I'M ALSO PROUD THAT TODAY, WE WILL BE PASSING HOPEFULLY UNANIMOUSLY ON THIS COUNCIL, THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF HB6 FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT, BECAUSE NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED THIS.
SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR COMING DOWN, STEPPING UP, I WILL CELEBRATE THAT TODAY, THE CITY GOVERNMENT ENTITY IS THE ONE STEPPING UP WITH YOU AND TO ENSURE THESE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEXICAN AMERICANS OF CIVIL RIGHTS IS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE FULL FUNDING REQUEST.
AS I CLOSE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ERIC WALSH FOR YOUR GUIDANCE OF THIS BUDGET.
I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION, DID YOU DO A TOWN HALL IN EVERY SINGLE COUNCIL DISTRICT?
>> I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BECAUSE -- I MENTIONED THIS TO YOU.
I WANTED TO MENTION IT IN PUBLIC.
I APPRECIATED THESE TOWN HALLS THIS YEAR SO MUCH, AND YEAH, THEY WERE LONG.
AND WHY I LIKED THAT WAS IT'S BECAUSE YOU TREATED OUR RESIDENTS WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE BECAUSE WE ANSWER TO THEM.
AND THEY DESERVED TO BE GIVEN ALL OF THAT INFORMATION THAT THEY WERE GIVEN, NOT JUST HIGHLIGHTED.
AND THAT SHOWED A LEVEL OF RESPECT TO OUR RESIDENTS, I THINK, THAT WE HAD NOT SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME.
AND IT ALSO GAVE YOUR DEPUTY DIRECTORS PRACTICE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE GROUPS AS WELL.
SO AGAIN, I'M SO PROUD OF THIS BUDGET, MARIA VIA GOMEZ, YOU ARE A VORFORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.
G JUSTINA, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS HAVING A SMILE WHEN WE NEEDED A SMILE IN THOSE SITUATIONS.
BEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT PRESENTATIONS ON DEBT MANAGEMENT, AND I THANK YOU THAT WE WORKED TOGETHER SO WELL AS A TEAM AND THANK YOU, ERIC, BECAUSE I'M VERY -- THIS IS ONE I THINK I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO REMEMBER AS OUR BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER V VIA GRAN AND GONZALES.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTS, HAVING BEEN THROUGH MORE BUDGETS NOW THAN SOME OF THE OTHER CLOOLLEAGUES.
GIVEN THE WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS WE HAD.
LEO GOMEZ NOTED IT AS WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THE SMOOTHER BUDGETS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I THINK THAT IS THE CASE -- FIRST OF ALL IT IS THE LARGEST BUDGET WE HAVE EVER SEEN, AT LEAST IT IS THE LARGEST BUDGET I HAVE EVER SEEN, IS THIS THE LARGEST BUDGET THE CITY HAS EVER SEEN, ERIC? SO AS A RESULT, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FUND MORE PROJECTS.
I BELIEVE IT GIVES THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE RANGE OF THINGS WE CAN DO AT THE CITY.
BUT IN ORDER TO REALLY PRIORITIZE STRONG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, PRIORITIZE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, THE CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE WAS BECAUSE WE HAVE INVESTED SO MUCH IN OUR BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
[01:35:02]
IT IS REALLY WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING, THEY'RE GETTING MORE SIDEWALKS, GETTING MORE STREETS, DRAINAGE BEING ADDRESSED, PUBLIC SAFETY, IN PARTICULAR, WE ADDED 10 OFFICERS AND OVER THE YEARS ADDED MORE OFFICERS.THE SUBSTATION THAT THE COUNCIL WOMAN HAS BEEN ASKING FOR, FOR MANY YEARS NOW IS GETTING ADDRESSED.
WHEN THE COMMUNITY SEES WE'RE PRIORITIZING THE THINGS THEY SAY IS MOST IMPORTANT AND PHYSICALLY SEE IT HAPPENING, THEY CAN TRUST US TO DO THINGS THAT ARE MORE INNOVATIVE LIKE A TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE CENTER AND ALAMO PROMISE AND WILL BE AN EQUALIZER AND HELP PARTS OF THE CITY, MANY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A LONG TIME.
I'M PROUD THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN THE BUDGET FOR THE PRIORITIES OF THE PEOPLE, WHICH WILL ALWAYS BE STREETS, DRAINAGE, PUBLIC SAFETY.
USUALLY PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST AND EVERYTHING ELSE AFTER THAT.
THEN WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY TO DO OTHER THINGS.
IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A STRONG COUNCIL WHO HAVE ALIGNED THEMSELVES IN MANY PRIORITIES, ESPECIALLY HAVING MORE WOMEN ON THE COUNCIL.
I BELIEVE, DOES GIVE DIRECTION TO SOME OF THE PRIORITIES AFTER THE THREE MAIN ONES, BUT FOR TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND IN OUR CITY FOR A LONG TIME AND FINALLY GETTING THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
AND FOR OUR CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE TO GIVE THAT ATTENTION AS WELL.
IT HAS BEEN A REALLY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE TO BE ON THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME BUT THIS IS THE MOST POSITIVE BUDGET EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE NOW MY SEVENTH BUDGET.
I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT, TO THE STAFF, ERIC, JUSTINA, MARIA, ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SMOOTHED THIS TRANSITION FOR US.
I AM REALLY VERY PROUD OF THAT, VERY EXCITED TO GET TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS TODAY.
AFTER THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, WHICH ARE THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES, AND STREETS AND DRAINAGE, LIGHTING I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ME IS THE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.
MANY YEARS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS, JUST IN MY DISTRICT, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE COUNCIL TO REALLY DEDICATE FUNDS TO THAT.
WE COULDN'T DO IT ON A LARGE SCALE.
I WAS TRYING TO DO SMALL PROJECTS IN MY DISTRICT THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO GET INPUT ON EVERYONE TO TRY TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE WAS A SEVERE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
AND REALLY BECAUSE WE HAD A NEW COUNCIL COME IN, THE WOMEN, BUT ESPECIALLY COUNCILMAN PELAEZ WHO HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF HIS MOTHER, MARTHA PELAEZ, BUT HE ALSO HAS VOLUNTEERED MANY YEARS TO THE ORGANIZATION.
SO HE HAD A COUNCIL THAT PRIORITIZED THAT, AND THIS BIGGEST COMMITMENT EVER TO PARTNER VIOLENCE.
I THINK THE FOCUS ATTENTION TRYING TO DO PILOT PROJECTS AND A COUNCIL THAT DECIDED TO PRIORITIZE THIS.
WE HAVE SEEN THE FUNDING THAT IS REALLY REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ALWAYS WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO SEE THE PRIORITY FOR TRAUMA- INFORMED CARE.
AND ALSO THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.
THERE IS ONE OTHER INSTITUTE IN D.C.
BUT SAN ANTONIO WILL BE LEADING TO GET THAT PROCESS GOING.
AND ALSO THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE LED BY THIS COUNCIL.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THIS COUNCIL, CHOCKA MESSA WAS MY CHIEF OF STAFF.
WE WOULD SPEND HOURS DRIVING THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SHE WOULD TELL ME STORIES ABOUT THE WALKOUTS AT EDGEWOOD AND TELL ME STORIES ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OF SO MANY MEXICAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS, HACKUE AND SOUTHWEST VOTER REGISTRATION PROJECT.
SHE WOULD TELL ME ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS
[01:40:01]
AND HOW HARD IT WAS.MANY OF US TAKE FOR GRANTED WE CAN ESTABLISH A MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS SN INSTITUTE.
EVEN AS A LATINA, I TOOK FOR ADVANTAGE THAT I WOULD BE ACCEPTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, AS WAS MENTIONED LAST NIGHT.
I REMEMBER HER TALKING ABOUT THE FEAR THAT WAS EXPERIENCED BY MANY IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS AREA.
FEAR FOR THEIR LIFE, THE FEAR OF GOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND TRYING TO ESTABLISH SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS.
WHICH I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT SHE DID AND MANY OTHERS TO CREATE SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS.
I KNOW THAT THAT WILL BE PART OF THE STORY THAT WE TELL HERE AS WE DEVELOP THIS CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE.
AND SHORTLY AFTER SHE PASSED, I HAD A DREAM AND IT WAS A BOOK, IT WAS 16 LESSONS FOR LATINA BY SOCKORA GONZALES.
SO I THOUGHT WE HAVE TO TELL THIS STORY.
I THINK WE GET TO TELL THIS STORY.
I'M SO PROUD THAT I GET TO VOTE FOR THE CREATION OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE.
SO THANK YOU ALL FIRST READING GIVING US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM TODAY.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER GONZALES, COUNCILMEMBER C CABBELO HAVRDA.
I AM GRATEFUL TO SUPPORT THE MEX.
>> I AM TRYING TO FIND AN ACRONYM FOR IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
I WILL BEGIN THANKS MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL, MR. MANAGER, CITY STAFF FOR THE DEDICATION TO OUR CITY, HARD WORK AND PATIENCE GETTING THE JOB DONE.
THANK YOU TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF DISTRICT 6 OF ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
I BEGAN MY TERM AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BY STATING THE DISTRICT 6 PRIORITIES.
PUBLIC SAFETY, AFFORDABLE HOUSE, PROPERTY TAX RELEASE, INCREASING PARK SPACE AND INCR INCREASING INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL BUDGET SEASON AMID CHALLENGING BUDGET CHANGES.
I'M APPRECIATED OF GOMEZ RECOGNIZING IT WAS A RELATIVELY SMOOTH BUDGET PROCESS.
I SECOND HIS SUGGESTION TO HAVE A PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE FISCAL YEAR.
I THINK THAT IS A FANTASTIC IDEA.
A FEW OF THE SUCCESS STORIES IN DISTRICT 6 INCLUDE A NEW PARK.
FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CABLE WESTWOOD AREA, IT IS REALLY A QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENT.
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES EVERY CAN MEAN LIFE AND DEATH.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAL SERVICES AND SAFD ZONE 44 IN ONE OF THE BUSIEST ZONE, IT WILL BE AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE ASSET FOR THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS BY THE MARBACH 410 AREA.
THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 6 HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT THE NEED TO ADDRESS STRAY AGENCIES AND PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP.
IT IS VERY ENGAGED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ME.
I'M GRATEFUL WE CAN PROVIDE THIS FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I'M ALSO EXCITED FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO CUELLAR PARK IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, TO PROVIDE NEEDED REPAIRS TO PLAYING FIELDS FOR YOUTH SPORTS IN THE AREA.
FINALLY, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE OLD CITGO GAS STATION IS TO 2FOLD.
REPURPOSES OF THE BUILDING THAT BROUGHT MUCH BLIGHT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND AREA AND PROVIDES A RESOURCE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND CREATING TO THE LINEAR SYSTEM FOR WHICH THE CITY HAS BECOME KNOWN.
THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY IN THE PARTICIPATION.
THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGET, I THINK IT IS A GREAT PROCESS.
I THINK IT WAS RUN EFFICIENTLY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HAVRDA, AND COUNCILMEMBER SULLIVAN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS, THE STAFF, THE DISTRICT 2 CONSTITUENTS THAT BELIEVED WE COULD TRULY START MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE SEE WITHIN DISTRICT 2 AND MAKING SURE THEIR VOICES WERE NO LONGER SILENCED OR STIFLED BUT CONTINUED TO SPEAK OUT LOUDLY IN REFERENCE TO THE THINGS THEY WANTED TO SEE THEIR CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE BRING FORWARD TO DISTRICT 2.
[01:45:03]
PUT UP WITH ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE ENDURE ON A DAILY BASIS TO ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY DO THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2 HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCESS AND ACTION, BUT MAKING SURE THAT THEIR CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE IS TRULY GIVEN THE BEST RESOURCES TO DO THE WORK THAT IS AT HAND.TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, TO THE MAYOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING UP WITH ALL THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT I HAD PERTAINING TO WHAT CAN I ASK FOR, AND WHEN CAN I ASK FOR IT.
TO CHIEF MCMANUS AND CHIEF HOOD, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO THE DISTRICT AND SPEAKING TO US ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU WERE GOING TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 2 BY ADDING THE SAFE OFFICERS AND STATIONS, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU GIVE, AND THANK YOU FOR SERVING WITH SUCH DIGNITY AND PRIDE.
I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT ELLA AUSTIN IS ONE OF THE TRUEST STAPLES OF RESOURCES WE HAVE WITHIN DISTRICT 2.
AND TO KNOW THAT THE CITY MANAGER CAME AND SPOKE TO ME AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BUILDING.
I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT IT IS BUT WE AS A CITY MUST TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TO ENSURE OUR BUILDINGS ARE KEPT UP FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN THEM.
WE APPRECIATE THE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND THAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
MR. HARGROVE IS APPRECIATIVE AND THE BOARD OF ELLA AUSTIN TR TRULY THANKS YOU FOR THAT.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE 45 THOUSAND TO BE GIVEN TO ELLA AUSTIN TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR YOUTH OF DISTRICT 2.
WE KNOW OUR DISTRICT 2 AREA HAS HAD THE TITLE OF MANY NEGATIVE THINGS, BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF DISTRICT 2 ARE TRULY THE YOUTH THAT STAY THERE.
PUSHING FORWARD TOWARD POS POSITIVITY AND KNOWING THE GIFTS WILL MAKE ROOM FOR GREATER.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE ADDITIONAL MAP BECAUSE THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DISTRICT 2.
I NEVER PLAYED ON A SIDEWALK IN THE 44 YEARS OF MY LIFE OF LIVING IN DISTRICT 2.
THERE ARE RESIDENTS THAT NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHAT A SIDEWALK IS IN THE AREA OF DISTRICT 2.
TOROSIE, AND DENVER HIGH, THANK YOU FOR GOING TO THE AREAS AND THANK YOU FOR GOING TO THE STOP THAT ONLY HAS FIVE STOPS TO IT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING IN THAT AREA AS WELL.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OWNER-OCCUPIED REHAB BECAUSE IN THAT AREA MANY LIVE ON FIXED INCOME, SOCIAL SECURITY, DISABILITY OR JUST A MEANS OF WHAT THEY CAN GET WHEN THEY CAN GET IT.
SO YOU HAVE RESIDENTS THAT ARE LEGACY HOMEOWNERS THAT WANT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AND AGE IN THEIR HOME, BUT THE HOME ITSELF IS SO DILAPIDATED THE ROOF IS CAVING IN AND THEY ONLY LIVE IN ONE PART OF THEIR HOME.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE BECAUSE A LOT OF RESIDENTS COME HOME FROM INSTITUTIONS AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHICH WAY THEY WILL GO, HOW TO GET THERE AND WHAT THE FIRST STEP IS TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
THEY'RE BOUNCED AROUND FROM AREA TO AREA TO AREA TO BE TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR BACKGROUND THEY DON'T QUALIFY TO RAISE THE INCOME THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR FAMILY IS SUFFICIENT.
FOR THE 150,000 THAT IS GOING TO SECOND GARDENS, WE NEED SOMETHING THAT WILL TRULY LIFT THE HEART AND THE SPIRITS OF DISTRICT 2.
AN AMPHITHEATER, MOVIE THEATER, A HOSPITAL, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE HEARD WE NEED AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE TRULY AIM TO RECEIVE.
I KNOW IT IS HARD TO FATHOM A DISTRICT THAT HAS FOR OVER THE LAST DECADE, BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU LOOK AT WHEN YOU SEE DISTRICT 2.
NOW WE'RE FIGHTING TO LOOK LIKE THE REST OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO WE THANK YOU FOR THE UPKEEP OF THE ALAMODOME.
WE THANK THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS FOR CONTINUING TO STEP FORWARD AND MAKE A PUSH TO TRULY NOT ONLY BE JUST A PARTICIPATORY GROUP WITHIN DISTRICT 2, BUT TRULY STEPPING IN TO SAY WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY? HOW CAN WE MAKE IT HAPPEN? WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF THE THINGS COMING FROM THE RED BERRY MANSION PROJECT AND WE WILL CONTINUE AS A UNITED DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THOSE VOICES ARE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE THAT SITS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, WHEN I RAN THIS RACE, I RAN ON THE GROUNDS THAT CIVIL RIGHTS WAS THE REASON I WAS ABLE TO GET HERE.
AND SO WE WILL STAND WITH YOU.
[01:50:02]
FOUGHT THE FIGHT.WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE HEARD IN THIS INSTITUTE AS WELL.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT COMING TO FRUITION.
AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK HARD FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE UPKEEP AND UPLIFTING OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER ANDREWS-SULLIVAN.
OF COURSE, I WANT TO FIRST START OFF BY THANKING ERIC, MARIA, JUSTINA, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
I ADDITIONALLY WANT TO THANK VERO, ROZZY, LAURIE HOUSTON, ALL OF THOSE HELPING TO BRING NEW IDEAS TO HOW WE USE SOME OF OUR EXISTING PROGRAMS AND DOLLARS.
SO LET ME JUST START OFF BY SAYING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW EFFECTIVE THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM WILL BE IN HOUSING AND SECURITY AND I'M THRILLED TO KNOW WE WILL MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO ENSURE THE BROKEN SEGMENTS OF THE SIDEWALK SYSTEM ARE RECONNECTED BY THE SIDEWALK SQUAD.
IN THE FIRST-EVER SIDEWALK PREPARE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU, ROZZY, APPRECIATE THAT.
I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF FOR THE NEW ENTERTAINMENT ZONE OFFICERS.
WE THINK THAT IS A WELCOME ADDITION.
WE KNOW A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE TRULY, TRULY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I REALLY WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS AND SHOUT OUT TO DENISE HERNANDEZ AND MY STAFF FOR HER HARD WORK WITH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE TO GET THIS DONE.
GOOD JOB, DENISE AND WORKING ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE, BECAUSE I'M REALLY TRULY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE A WORK OF ART THAT WILL FURTHER EMPHASIZE THIS POSITION IN THE HISTORY OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS.
THIS SCULPTURE WILL CELEBRATE CIVIL RIGHTS IN SAN ANTONIO AND WILL SOON HAVE AN AMAZING WORK OF ART KNOWN AS LAPUERTA DELLA ILLQUILLAL, THE DOOR OF EQUALITY CREATED BY AND DONATED BY SEBASTIAN.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS TO GET THIS DONE.
I BELIEVE IT WILL BE AN INCREDIBLE ADDITION TO OUR CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY.
ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE ONGOING FUNDING FOR THE UNDER ONE ROOF PROGRAM WHICH DEMONSTRATES YEAR AFTER YEAR HOW SMALL EFFORTS HAVE LARGE IMPACTS.
TO DATE, OVER 550 HOMEOWNERS NOW HAVE A MORE STABLE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND THEY HAVE REDUCED UTILITY BILLS.
ON COUNCIL 8 COMPENSATION, WHAT I CAN SAY IS WE MUST NOT BE A CITY OF DELAYS, BUT RATHER A CITY OF ACTION.
THANK YOU, ERIC, FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
THANK YOU, MARIA, JUSTINA, AGAIN, FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEBRUARY 1.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THE MULTIYEAR EFFORT TO BRING PAY EQUITY TO COUNCIL STAFFS.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND I APPRECIATE THEIR ADVOCACY.
WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO ALONG WITH ALL CITY EMPLOYEES.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COUNCIL AIDES ALL THE OTHERS FOR THEIR WORK AND ESPECIALLY FOR WORKING ALONGSIDE MY STAFF.
I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, TRACY,SA KEEN, JUSTIN, DENISE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY JAY.
YOU ARE A FRIEND, BUT YOU ARE MY CHIEF OF STAFF, AND YOU LED ON THIS EFFORT.
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU.
YOU DESERVE A SPECIAL RECOGNITION ON THIS.
AND I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL NOTE HOW MUCH I RESPECT YOUR WORK AND THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ON MY STAFF.
>> MAYOR THANK YOU MEMBER TREVINO.
>> IT FELT LIKE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TODAY TO ME.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU FELT, BUT I WAS EXCITED.
I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING ERIC, JUSTINA, MARIA, AND FOR YOUR WORK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR 11:00 P.M.
I RATHER GET IT DONE AHEAD OF TIME THAN THE NEXT MORNING BE SCRAMBLING.
THANK YOU FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR HELPING ORCHESTRATE THE RECUSAL PROCESS, BECAUSE I WAS READING THROUGH THIS, AND I GOT DIZZY READING THROUGH IT THANK YOU TO ANDY AND THE TEAM FOR PROPOSING THOSE AS WELL.
CONGRATULATIONS ERIC -- I DON'T WANT TO JINKS IT EITHER, BUT ON YOUR FIRST BUDGET YOU BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT IT IS TINA FLORES' FIRST TIME
[01:55:02]
RUNNING THE BUDGET PROCESS IN THE CITY OFFICE TODAY.WE HAVE TO GIVE HER A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TODAY, TOO, YEAH.
THANK YOU TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN PORT SAN ANTONIO.
ALSO FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE WEEK-LONG AFTER SCHOOL CHALLENGE PROGRAM AT SOUTHWEST I.S.D. THAT WILL HELP MANY PARENTS IN MY DISTRICT THAT WORK MULTIPLE JOBS BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR WHILE THEY'RE AT WORK.
THANK YOU ALSO TO YOUR SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS THROUGH THE INVESTMENT AND GROW SA INITIATIVE THAT WILL HELP FOCUS ON MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO THE S.T.E.M.
INITIATIVE THROUGH THE ALAMO CITY ELECTROTHON AND THE EMPOWER GIRLS INITIATIVE WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES ON.
THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT -- I THINK ONE OF THE ACRONYMS MAKE WITH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE AT OLU.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR BEING HERE, FOR BEING HERE LAST NIGHT, FOR MEETING WITH US CONSTANTLY, FOR MEETING WITH ME BEFORE I ACTUALLY GOT SWORN IN AND EXPLAINING TO ME WHAT THE IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE IS OF HAVING AN INSTITUTE LIKE THIS.
I'M ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT IT WOULD BE AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKE, WHERE I TEACH AND EVERY DAY I SEE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE US REPRESENTING THEM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO THAT.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 4 FOR THE INITIATIVES THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING TODAY THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE GO BACK AND THINK ABOUT, LIKE HOPS METRO.
THAT STARTED PROJECT QUEST WHICH IS IN THE HOUSE TODAY AND HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT SO MANY DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS AND BREAK THE GENERATIONAL POVERTY.
IT TAKES WRONG TO BREAK THAT PSYCH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS.
FINAL THANK TO STAFF IN GETTING ME THROUGH MY FIRST BUDGET PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY CONGRATULATING OUR CITY MANAGER WALSH AND ALL OF HIS STAFF FOR REALLY AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THIS BUDGET AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL OF US AS COUNCILMEMBERS.
I ALSO WANT TO GO AHEAD AND CONGRATULATE OUR NEW COUNCILMEMBERS ON THEIR INAUGURAL BUDGET PROCESS.
IT WILL BE EASIER AS YEARS GO BY, I'M SURE.
AND ALSO I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND CONGRATULATE OUR FIRST ELECTED WOMEN'S MAJORITY CITY COUNCIL FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE.
YOU KNOW, REAL LEADERSHIP BY MANY OF THE WOMEN ON THIS COUNCIL.
AND I'M HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A DIVERSE AND RAPIDLY GROWING COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
THERE IS A LOT OF DIVERSITY IN THE WANTS AND NEEDS THAT ARE EXPRESSED BY US AS COUNCIL PEOPLE ON BEHALF OF OUR DISTRICTS.
AND AS A COUNCIL WE WORKED HARD TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER'S WANTS AND NEEDS.
BUT WE DO HAVE A RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER.
AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF OUR DIFFERING CONSTITUENCY.
AND THAT IS HOW WE'RE ABLE TODAY, TO STAND TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A COLLECTIVE BUDGET.
THIS BUDGET ADDRESSES MUCH, BUT NOT EVERY NEED OF OUR RESIDENTS IN OUR CITY.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION LEADERS IN MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT 9 THAT HAVE GIVEN ME INPUT ON OUR PRIORITIES.
I'M ALSO PLEASED TO REPORT THAT MANY OF THOSE PRIORITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET.
INCLUDING CONTINUING OUR PROGRESS TOWARDS CONNECTIVITY IN DISTRICT 9 TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGRATULATION.
SPECIFICALLY BY FUNDING A DESIGN FOR SONTERRA BOULEVARD TO INTERSECT WITH GOLD CANYON AT 1604.
AND WORK WE'RE PURSUING NOW ON CONNECTING HUEBNER TO HIGHWAY 281.
DISTRICT 9 IS ALSO SLATED TO RECEIVE THE MOST FUNDING TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR DISTRICT.
WE'RE ALSO DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC
[02:00:02]
SAFETY BY FILLING LONG-STANDING VACANCIES IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING FILLING OUR SAFE OFFICER VACANCIES AND FILLING POSITIONS MANY OF WHICH WILL BE DEVOTED TO PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TOWARD FAMILY VICTIMS AND FUNDING.AND STUDY IF AND WHERE AN ADDITIONAL SUBSTATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
I'M ALSO VERY EXCITED THAT THIS YEAR, EACH COUNCIL DISTRICT WILL BE PROVIDED $1 MILLION TO ADDRESS CAPITAL CONCERNS IN THEIR DISTRICT.
AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, I'VE IMPLEMENTED A PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS WHICH PROVIDES RESIDENTS A DIRECT SAY IN HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THIS FUNDING IS NOW AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY CITYWIDE.
IT COULD ALSO BE USED TO FILL THAT BACKLOG OF COMMUNITY REQUESTED PROJECTS THAT MAY HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED IN PREVIOUS BOND ISSUES OR BUDGETS.
ALSO I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PART OF THE BUDGET THAT IS CREDITED NOW TOWARDS SAWS, SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM, THEY'RE REALLY NOW PROVIDING AN INCREASED INVESTMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY BUDGET.
THEY ALONG WITH CPS ARE TRULY FULL PARTNERS IN OUR BUDGET TODAY.
YOU KNOW, FOR THESE REASONS, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL SAN ANTONIO, I WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS BUDGET.
AND HAPPILY REMINDING PEOPLE ABOUT THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION THEY'RE RECEIVING.
AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HAVE FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS TO INCREASE IT OVER TIME.
AND FINALLY, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF MY STAFF.
FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO, FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT 9, FOR ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND I'LL JUST TELL THEM, WITH THE NEW BUDGET BEING ADOPTED, THE WORK BEGINS ANEW.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, COUNCILMEMBER PERRY.
YOU KNOW, I'VE SAID THAT SEVERAL TIMES.
THAT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION TO GO THROUGH AND REVIEW.
AND MY STAFF DID A GREAT JOB IN GOING THROUGH IT TO HIGHLIGHT THINGS I NEED TO TALK ABOUT AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT.
I DON'T KNOW, DID WE KEEP A RECORD, MARIA, WHO ASKED THE MOST QUESTIONS THIS YEAR? OH, YES? COUNCILMAN PERRY.
NO,YOU KNOW, I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE, THE BUDGET PROCESS AND APPROVING THE BUDGET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB THAT WE HAVE AS COUNCILMEMBERS IN SETTING WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE PROVIDING THIS CITY.
THAT IS OUR MOST IMPORTANT JOB.
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH OUR MONEY.
IT IS OUR NEIGHBOR'S MONEY, THE TAXPAYERS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, IT IS THEIR MONEY.
WHAT DO THEY REALLY EXPECT FROM PAYING IN THESE TAXES AND FEES THAT SEEM TO RISE EVERY YEAR.
WE -- OUR BUDGET IS $100 MILLION MORE THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR.
WE'RE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF $3 BILLION.
WE'RE GETTING PRETTY DARN CLOSE.
I JUST -- I ALWAYS LOOK AT THAT TO MAKE SURE AM I VOTING ON, AM I PUTTING THE RIGHT REQUIREMENTS FORWARD FOR THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE CITY? AND AGAIN, THANK YOU, MARIA, JUSTINA, ERIC FOR PUTTING THIS BUDGET TOGETHER.
AND I WANT TO JUST GO OVER A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I AM VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF IN THIS BUDGET AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS BUDGET THAT THESE ITEMS ARE REALLY ADD ADDRESSING EVEN WHAT PEOPLE PUT IN DURING THE SA SPEAK UP CAMPAIGN.
CERTAINLY WHAT MY RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT 10 SAID THEY WANTED.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, SAFETY AND SECURITY.
AND I THINK WE'RE DELIVERING, I KNOW WE'RE DELIVERING ON THOSE THREE ITEMS, THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, WE ARE -- THIS IS THE FIRST-EVER TIME THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS PUT FORWARD A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
I WILL CHALLENGE MY COLLEAGUES ON COUNCIL THAT THIS ISN'T THE END OF IT.
[02:05:02]
RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE TO BUILD ON THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TO OFFER MORE RELIEF TO OUR HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE STRUGGLING OUT THERE, PARTICULARLY THOSE ON FIXED INCOMES AND TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND STILL OWNING A HOME.INFRASTRUCTURE, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, WOW.
WE JUST WANT TO HAVE A DECENT ROAD TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, TO GO OUT AND EAT, TO GO OUT AND ENJOY THEMSELVES.
LET ME TELL YOU, THERE ARE SOME ROADS IN THIS CITY THAT YOU ALMOST HAVE TO HAVE A 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE TO GET THROUGH.
AND I HAVE MANY OF THOSE IN DISTRICT 10.
SO THAT, I THINK WE'RE DELIVERING ON THAT -- WELL, BACK UP.
I KNOW WE'RE DELIVERING ON THAT, WITH CONTINUING THAT FUNDING OF OVER $100 MILLION FOR STREETS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICTS.
WE'RE GETTING 10 NEW SAFE OFFICERS HERE IN TOWN AND SIX NEW SERGEANTS THAT WILL BE PARTICULARLY PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES HERE IN TOWN.
SO THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG WINS, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED ON WHAT MY NEIGHBORS, NOT JUST IN DISTRICT 10, ACROSS THIS ENTIRE CITY HAVE ASKED FOR.
BUT COULD WE HAVE DONE MORE? I'M SAYING YES, WE COULD HAVE DONE MORE.
LET ME TELL YOU SOME OF THE ISSUES I HAVE WITH THIS BUDGET.
THERE'S AN IDEA THAT EVERY CENT THAT COMES INTO THE CITY, WE NEED TO SPEND IT.
WE'RE NOW REACHING INTO SAWS FOR A BIGGER CUT OF THEIR MONEY THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE USING FIRST READING UPGRADING THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS.
WE PASSED THIS DOWN HERE ABOUT A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF AGO, THEY'RE ASKING FOR 7%.
WE ACTUALLY GAVE THEM MORE OF AN INCREASE IN THEIR RATE REQUEST.
AND YEAH, IT BUILT UP THEIR KITTY THEIR BANK ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT TO MAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY'RE HAGE MAIN BREAKS OF THE SUPPLY LINE.
I HAD A SEWER OVERFLOW ON OUR RELIEF AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THAT.
THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THAT HUGE BIG SEWER LINE THERE, THAT RATE INCREASE WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP REPLACE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND NOW WE'RE TAKING AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FROM SAWS.
I SAW SOME LOGIC IN THAT WHICH I GUESS WE WILL FOLLOW.
INEVITABLY WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER RATE INCREASE OR THEY ASK FOR ANOTHER RATE INCREASE TO COVER THAT LOSS OF FUNDING.
IS IT WITHIN THE CITY'S PURSUE TO TAKE MORE MONEY FROM SAWS? YES.
IS THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO? IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TAKING MORE MONEY AWAY FROM CPS? SHOULD WE UP THAT REQUIREMENT ALSO? SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.
SO WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE TAKING MONEY FROM SOME OF OUR TERES AREAS.
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT IS GREAT TO TRY TO HELP IN OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I STILL MAINTAIN PROVIDING A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS A GREAT WAY TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE IN TOWN.
BUT WE'RE TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM OUR TERES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO SPUR INVESTMENT AND THE TAX INCREASE FROM THE INVESTMENT WILL GO BACK INTO THOSE TERES TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THOSE DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS TAX-FREE.
I SEE A PROBLEM THERE OF NOT GETTING THAT MONEY BUILD UP IN TERES.
WE'LL BASICALLY TAKE THAT MONEY FROM THE TERRES AND IT WON'T BE REINVESTED OR WE WON'T GET ADDITIONAL TAXES FROM THE PROPERTY TAXES, WHAT THAT WAS DESIGNED FOR.
YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE TWO OF THE
[02:10:04]
MAJOR ISSUES THAT I HAVE.I MEAN, EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT IS -- THEIR INCREASE IS, YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME EFFICIENCIES, I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE FIGURE WAS.
WITH YOU GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET AND PART OF MY QUESTIONING ON EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT WAS THEY HAVE A BIGGER BUDGET.
AND, YOU KNOW, SHOULDN'T WE BE FINDING THOSE EFFICIENCIES TO EITHER KEEP THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING FROM LAST YEAR OR MAYBE DECREASE IN THE CITY DEPARTMENTS? WELL, THAT IS WHERE I THINK EFFICIENCIES ARE.
NOT THAT WE ARE GROWING EVERY ONE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS IN FUNDING REQUESTS.
YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUDGET.
I THINK WE WORKED WELL AS A CITY COUNCIL UP HERE TO COMPROMISE, GIVE AND TAKE.
YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO A LINE ITEM VOTE ON THE BUDGET.
YOU KNOW, AND WEIGHING WHAT WE'RE GETTING IN THIS BUDGET, I'M IN FAVOR OF IT.
BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA -- I THINK IT IS A HOME RUN THAT WE ARE STARTING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
THAT IS MY BIGGEST HAPPINESS ON THIS BUDGET, THAT WE STARTED THAT.
AND AGAIN, I CHALLENGE MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE DON'T STOP THERE.
THAT WE KEEP LOOKING FOR THOSE EFFICIENCIES AND FUNDING STRATEGIES TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THAT HERE FOR SAN ANTONIO.
SO EVEN THOUGH I SEE THESE FLAWS THAT I DON'T PARTICULARLY AGREE WITH, AND I THINK A LOT OF MY NEIGHBORS IN DISTRICT 10 WOULD SUPPORT THAT, I VENTURE TO SAY THERE ARE FOLKS ALL AROUND SAN ANTONIO THAT WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
I WILL STILL VOTE FOR THIS BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE BIG WINS I SEE IN THIS BUDGET.
SO WITH THAT, THAT IS ALL THE COMMENTS THAT I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER PERRY.
>> RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT EVERYTHING THAT THESE 11 PEOPLE DO AT THIS DAIS IS ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE REALLY SMART STAFFERS WHO SUPPORT US.
SO I WANT TO THANK IN PARTICULAR LAURA GARZA, THANK YOU, ON MY STAFF.
PAT WALLIS, BO ANDERSON, CHRISTIAN CORTEZ, THANK YOU.
CHECK IN WITH ME, WE WILL ARRANGE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR 2023.
ALL OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME TALK ABOUT MAX AND SOPHIA.
MY 12-YEAR-OLD AND 13-YEAR-OLD AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, I'M THEIR MORNING CHAUFFEUR ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL.
I ALWAYS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AT WORK THAT DAY.
AND I TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH.
TODAY, WE TALKED ABOUT TWO THINGS.
NUMBER ONE, WE TALKED ABOUT MARIA VIA GOMEZ.
I WAS DESCRIBING HOW SMART SHE IS AND HOW MUCH WORK SHE'S DONE ON THIS AND ALSO HOW CREEPY IT IS TO SEE HER ACCURATELY CITE LINE AND VERSE FROM EVERY SINGLE PAGE OF THE BUDGET.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT.
SHE CAN TELL YOU WHAT IS ON EVERY SINGLE PAGE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
AND MARIA, I AM GOING TO LAS VEGAS TO PLAY BLACKJACK, I HOPE YOU WILL STAND NEXT TO ME AND WE CAN COUNT CARDS TOGETHER.
THE SECOND THING I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT WAS THE BUDGET AND WHAT IT IS.
I TOLD MAX AND SOPHIA THAT OUR BUDGET IS A TEMPORARY SET OF DIRECTIVES THAT WE GIVE TO CITY STAFF SO WE PLAN OUT THE YEAR.
AND IT IS ALSO A SET OF SPENDING DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE AT THE REQUEST OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THOSE REQUESTS INFORM THE DECISIONS.
AND SO I ALSO SPENT A LOT OF TIME THIS MORNING POINTING OUT THAT THIS IS JUST A BUDGET FOR ONE YEAR.
FOR THE LIFE OF THE CITY IN JUST ONE YEAR.
AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY HAS A VERY TEMPORARY NATURE TO IT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT TODAY.
LET THERE BE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS JUST AN FY2020 BUDGET, WHAT WE'RE REALLY DOING IS MAKING PERMANENT CHANGES AND PERMANENT IMPACTS ON PEOPLE'S VERY REAL LIVES.
I WILL GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES.
ONE, THIS BUDGET WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO HAVE BETTER TOOLS AND BE
[02:15:04]
ABLE TO TRAIN BETTER TO RESPOND TO -- FOR EXAMPLE, TO RESPOND TO MASS SHOOTINGS.THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO PROVIDE FIREFIGHTERS WITH BEST IN CLASS EQUIPMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME TELL PUT WHOLE BLOOD IN, YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR FIREFIGHTER DEPARTMENT VEHICLES SO THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS CAN PROVIDE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS AT THE SITE OF EMERGENCIES.
THIS BUDGET MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR METRO HEALTH DISTRICT TO DO THEIR JOB AND IF THEY DO THEIR JOB, FEWER KIDS IN 2020 T.
THIS BUDGET PROTECTS FAMILIES FROM HAVING THEIR HOMES SWEPT AWAY IN FLOODS.
ALL OF THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE BUDGETED WORK THAT NEFE AND HIS TEAM WILL BE DOING.
THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO PREVENT A VETERAN FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE NEXT YEAR.
BECAUSE OF THE BUDGETED WORK HAVEN FOR HOPE DOES.
THIS BUDGET WILL HELP A YOUNG WOMAN ARMED WITH HER BRAND-NEW CYBERSECURITY DEGREE FROM UTSA GET HER VERY FIRST JOB AT A COMPANY THAT ALEX AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT TO SAN ANTONIO.
AND THERE IS A MOM AND HER KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO BE SHOWING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF A BATTERED WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S SHELTER AND THAT MOM IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO LAY HER BABIES TO SLEEP ON A CLEAN BED AND FOR THE VERY, VERY FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, IN A SAFE PLACE.
SO I DO WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS REALLY EASY TO CALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT I JUST LISTED OFF, THOSE KIDS AND THOSE FAMILIES, REALLY EASY TO CALL THEM PIGS AT THE TROUGH.
AND I GUESS THAT INSULTS AND HATEFUL GIBBERISH PASSES FOR VALUES IN 2019.
BUT I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT NONE OF THAT GARABAGE RESIDES UP HERE AT THIS CITY COUNCIL DAIS.
IN FACT, WHAT INFORMS OUR DECISIONS ISSEURED IF -- IS OUR FIDUCIARY DUTY TO TAKE CARE OF THE RESIDENTS OF AND PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M PROUD OF THE BUDGET, I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THE COUNCIL HAS DONE TO ENSURE THE FINEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICES TO THE FINEST RESIDENTS IN THE US.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, HELPS US PLAN FOR THE MILLION-PLUS PEOPLE WHO WILL BE SHOWING UP HERE IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
AND, YOU KNOW, THESE ANNUAL ROUNDS OF BUDGET COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS, THEY ALWAYS DEVOLVE INTO THANK-A-THONS.
WE MANAGE TO THANK THOSE THAT WE THINK OF.
THERE IS ALWAYS ONE PERSON WE DON'T THANK.
THE BUDGET AS SOPHISTICATED AS THIS DOESN'T GET PASSED WITHOUT THE LEADERSHIP OF A MAYOR THAT KEEPS EVERYBODY FOCUSED ON THE MISSION.
SO MAYOR NIRENBERG WITH HIS QUIET AND HUMBLE LEADERSHIP HAS CHORALED TOGETHER 10 ELECTED POLITICIANS WITH DIVERGING AGENDAS AND NEEDS FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND GOT US TO THIS POINT.
SO MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
[APPLAUSE] SO I HAVE ONLY GOT ONE QUESTION.
THIS IS REALLY CLARIFICATION, ERIC BECAUSE I KNOW MY CONSTITUENTS WILL ASK.
WE RECEIVED A BOOST FROM SAWS -- NO, CPS ENERGY TO MAKE THIS BUDGET POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER, THE PREVIOUS ITERATION OR PREVIOUS DRAFT WAS PREDICATED ON FUNDING FROM SAWS AND NOT THIS $7.8 MILLION.
SO MY QUESTION IS, DOES THIS BUDGET THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON TODAY PENCIL OUT IF WE USE THAT 7.8 MILLION FROM SAWS -- I'M SORRY, FROM CPS, AND WE DON'T TAKE OUR SAWS PAYMENT UNTIL JANUARY WHEN THEIR BUDGET BEGINS AGAIN? IN OTHER WORDS, THEY'VE GOT THREE MONTHS LEFT ON THEIR CURRENT BUDGET?
JUST A REMINDER, THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE INCREASED SAWS TRANSFER TO 4%.
AND JUST A REMINDER, LOSS IN TELECOMMUNICATION AND CABLE REVENUE THAT BEGAN SEPTEMBER 1 AS A RESULT OF THE LEGISLATURE PUT US IN A POSITION TO PERMANENTLY REPLACE RECURRING REVENUE.
[02:20:01]
THAT IS WHAT WE DID WITH SAWS AS WE COORDINATED WITH SAWS EARLIER IN THE SUMMER, WE MADE THE ASSUMPTIONS TOGETHER WITH THEM THAT THEY WOULD BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1.THE CPS AMOUNT THAT YOU REFERRED TO, THAT WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT YESTERDAY AND BEN PRESENTED WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED ONE-TIME EVENT THAT WAS GENERATED BY OFFSYSTEM SALES THROUGHOUT TEXAS AND NOT NECESSARILY THROUGH THE CPS LO LOCAL RATEPAYERS, ALL OF THAT MONEY IS ALLOCATED, LITTLE OVER $2 MILLION BEING SET ASIDE FOR NEXT SUMMER.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR ME THIS YEAR ON THIS BUDGET.
THERE IS A LOT OF IMPORTANT ONES.
IT IS LIKE SAYING WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILD.
BUT THE ONE I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE PARACRICKET FIELDS THAT DR. BRIDGES WILL HELP US BUILD IN DISTRICT 7, OF ALL PLACES.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ AND COUNCILMEMBER SANDOVAL.
>> AT THE RISK OF BEING PART OF THE THANK-A-THON, I WILL THANK CITY STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK AND THANK ALL OF THOSE THAT CAME OUT TO THE COMMUNITY MEETING LAST SATURDAY.
IT WAS ACTUALLY NOT IN DISTRICT 7 IT WAS IN THE CITY OF LEON VALLEY.
BUT WE DO HAPPEN TO GIVE A BIG HUG TO LEON VALLEY.
THAT IS HOW THE GEOGRAPHY WORKS OUT.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT, IT WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED.
AND THIS IS A FIRST FOR MARIA AND ERIC, THIS IS YOUR FIRST BUDGET AS DEPUTY CITY MANAGER YOUR FIRST BUDGET AS CITY MANAGER.
SO CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING THROUGH HERE.
BUT IT IS ALSO YOUR FIRST BUDGET WITH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
AND ALSO YOUR FIRST BUDGET WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE TELECOM FEES.
SO I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT WAS EASY.
I WANT TO TELL YOU, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK OF BOTH OF YOU AND THE TEAM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS.
MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE IT IS MY THIRD TIME HERE, BUT IT SEEMS A LOT EASIER THIS TIME AROUND.
THANK YOU, YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THAT WORK.
I AM ALSO VERY THANKFUL FOR THE STEWARDSHIP OF ALL OF THE MAYOR AND OF OUR SENIOR COUNCILMEMBERS HERE, ESPECIALLY THE SENIOR COUNCIL WOMEN AND COUNCILMAN TREVINO BEEN HERE MANY YEARS HELPING MOVE THIS PROCESS ALONG.
VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE WITH US.
AND TO THE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS, I WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO BE SITTING ON THIS DAIS WITH YOU AND IN HONOR, I FEEL VERY PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH YOU, COUNCIL WOMAN HAVRDA, ROCHA, AND SULLIVAN AND ALL OF YOUR VERY LONG NAMES ON THIS DAIS.
BUT I'M VERY PROUD TO -- AS COUNCILMAN COURAGE SAID TO BE ADOPTING A BUDGET WITH A MAJORITY FEMALE COUNCIL, I THINK THAT IS WONDERFUL.
ONE DAY, THAT WON'T BE A BIG DEAL.
IT WILL BE AN EVERYDAY -- AN EVERY YEAR EVENT.
THE PAST FEW DAYS, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR AMENDMENTS OR THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
BUT I WANT TO ALSO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE -- THAT WERE IN THE ORIGINAL DRAFT OF THE BUDGET THAT ERIC PRESENTED TO US AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST.
WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A WONDERFULLY ROBUST AND WELL PREPARED DRAFT.
AMONG THEM IS THE MONEY SET ASIDE FOR STRONG FAMILIES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
ALSO WITH THE STRONG PUSH FROM COLLEEN BRIDGER AND COUNCIL WOMAN GONZALES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR FINALLY PLACING THAT IN THE BUDGET AT THE LEVEL THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED.
BECAUSE THOSE ARE EPIDEMIC CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY AND WE MUST MOVE PAST THAT.
IT DOES TAKE A BIG INVESTMENT TO GET US THERE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE STORMWATER TEAM.
I THINK THEY MAY STILL BE HERE.
THE STORMWATER TEAM FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK IN THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING IN DRAINAGE AS I LIKE TO SAY, 300 YEARS AGO, THE FOUNDERS DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO BE FLASH FLOOD ALLEY AND WE'RE STILL TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF TCI FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH THAT.
AND TO MY FELLOW COUNCI COUNCILMEMBERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THE ALLEYS AND DRAINAGE.
ONE THING I DO WANT TO MENTION AND -- I LOVE SAYING THIS.
I MET WITH THE ARCHBISHOP THIS WEEK.
[02:25:01]
HE'S IN DISTRIT 7.BUT I MET WITH THE ARCHBISHOP THIS WEEK AND WE TALKED THROUGH HIS CONCERNS HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND HOW WE COULD WORK TOGETHER.
YOU KNOW, HE BROUGHT UP THINGS LIKE THE PILGRIMAGE WITH THE MISSIONS HOW EXCITED HE IS ABOUT THAT.
HOW HE WANTS TO WORK WITH US ON THAT.
HE BROUGHT UP ISSUES WITH PARKING DOWNTOWN FOR THE CATHEDRAL.
BUT HE ALSO TALKED TO ME ABOUT DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE OF OUR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO.
HE WORRIED ABOUT DOWNTOWN BECOMING A PLACE JUST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COULD AFFORD IT AND HOW THE LOOKS OF DOWNTOWN -- OF THE PEOPLE DOWNTOWN HAD CHANGED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
SO HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE MAKING THE INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
BUT ONE REALLY BEAUTIFUL THING THAT HE TOLD ME WAS THAT WITH SAN ANTONIO'S RAPID GROWTH, HE WAS VERY WORRIED THAT WE WOULD LOSE WHAT WAS SPECIAL ABOUT SAN ANTONIO.
AND HE SAID WE MUST FIND A WAY TO ADD WITHOUT SUBTRACTING.
AND I'M HOPING THAT THAT IS WHAT OUR BUDGET ACCOMPLISHES IS HIGHLIGHTING AND KEEPING WHAT'S BEST IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND I WANT TO SAY WITH THIS VERY SPECIAL AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE APPROVING TODAY, WHICH IS THE INSTITUTE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, THAT IS A WONDERFUL WAY THAT WE ARE PROTECTING SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PIECES OF HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT JUST FOR US, BUT FOR EVERYONE IN THE WORLD WHO WANTS TO COME AND VISIT AND LEARN ABOUT THEM.
SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THAT, AND TO JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK FOR YOUR VISION AND BRINGING THAT FORWARD AND ALLOWING US TO JOIN US IN THAT.
I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND WRAP IT UP THERE, AND AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO STAFF AND FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.
OH, SORRY, PEOPLE I FORGOT TO THANK IS MY OWN STAFF, OF COURSE.
JOE BRAVO AND BIANCA MALDONADO FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND JOE FOR YOUR WORK ON THE INSTITUTE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
[APPLAUSE] MATTIO AND DEBBIE AND FRANK, EVERYONE BACK AT THE OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SANDOVAL.
AS WE GET NOW INTO THE PROCEDURAL ITEMS, I DID WANT TO AGAIN REITERATE MY THANKS TO OUR COLLEAGUES FOR A JOB WELL DONE ON THE FY2020 BUDGET.
BEFORE WE CLOSE COMMENT, I DID ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY OWN STAFF WHO ARE WORKING HARD EVERY DAY, PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS ON THIS BUDGET, ALICE, JACKIE, JIM, EVA, LEASE, ROCIO, ISH, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS THAT ARE RELATED TO THE BUDGET.
AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THOSE DILIGENTLY.
THE FIRST ITEM WE'LL TAKE UP IS ITEM 4A, WHICH IS THE -- PARDON ME.
WE HAVE SEVERAL SEGMENTS TO THAT.
SEVERAL MOTIONS BECAUSE OF RECUSALS.
SO AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER GONZALES TO INTRODUCE OUR BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT ITEM.
>> CITY CLERK, DO YOU READ THAT PORTION OR DO YOU WANT ME TO READ IT? AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL --
>> THE CLERK READ THE CAPTION AT THE START OF THIS DELIBERATION.
AS WE GET TO ITEM 4B, WE'LL ASK THE CLERK TO READ THAT CAPTION.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT.
>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT BUDGET ITEM.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
BEFORE WE TAKE THAT VOTE, ANDY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLARIFY PROCESS?
>> YES, JUST A REMINDER MAYOR, AFTER WE GO THROUGH THE VARIOUS LINE ITEM MOTIONS WE HAVE TO ADOPT ALSO THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE DISCUSSED.
[02:30:01]
AMENDMENTS?AND THAT'S PRIOR TO ADOPTING THE OVERALL BUDGET.
BEFORE WE ADOPT -- YOU ARE GOING TO ADOPT THE BUDGET AS AMENDED, BUT YOU NEED TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHY DON'T WE DO THAT AFTER WE TAKE UP THE MOTION ON THE ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR APPROVAL.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BUDGET ITEM?
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AMENDMENT ITEMS AS PRESENTED.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE FY 2020 BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR VISIT SAN ANTONIO.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM FOR VISIT SAN ANTONIO.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE -
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MOTION CARRIES.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM FOR COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR BIOMED SA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM FOR BIOMED SA.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR SAN ANTONIO MOBILITY COALITION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM FOR THE SAN ANTONIO MOBILITY COALITION.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR H-E-B, CPS ENERGY, SAN ANTONIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, SAN ANTONIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, PROJECT QUEST, TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, ENGINE SAN ANTONIO, MUSICAL BRIDGES AROUND THE WORLD, AND SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS IN THE BUDGET AS READ BY COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALES.
[02:35:01]
COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALES.>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES INCORPORATED AND CHILD ADVOCATES OF SAN ANTONIO.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET ITEMS FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES AND CHILD ADVOCATES OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE SAN ANTONIO EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET ITEM RELATED TO THE SAN ANTONIO EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DID I HEAR A SECOND?
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET AS AMENDED TODAY.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET.
>> VIAGRAN: MAYOR, I DIDN'T GET TO THANK MY COUNCIL STAFF, SO I NEED TO THANK MY COUNCIL STAFF.
MY CHIEF OF STAFF, RUBEN, WHO MANY OF Y'ALL GOT PHONE CALLS FROM.
CHRIS, SAL, AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I GAVE THEM A SHOUT OUT TOO.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE FY 2020 BUDGET BALANCE AS AMENDED TODAY.
>> ITEM 4B IS AN ORDINANCE RATIFYING THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET THAT WILL REQUIRE RAISING MORE REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES THAN IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 BUDGET.
THERE ARE NO FURTHER CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 4B.
AT THIS TIME I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
THE FLOOR BELONGS TO COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO RATIFY THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 4B, THE RATIFICATION OF THE FY 2020 BUDGET.
>> ITEM 4C IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 34.677 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2019 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019.
THERE ARE NO FURTHER CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 4C REGARDING THE TAX RATE YEAR 2019.
AND THE APPROVAL OF THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX RATE.
>> VIAGRAN: I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX RATE OF 34.677 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 2.43% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE M&O TAX RATE.
>> ITEM 4D IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE AD VALOREM CITY PROPERTY TAX RATE TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF A FUNDED DEBT OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 21.150 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2019 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2019.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: I MOVE THAT THE TAXES BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE OF 21.150 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 2.43% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
[02:40:01]
FOR APPROVAL OF THE DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE.THERE ARE NO FURTHER CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
>> ITEM 4E ESTABLISHING NEW FEES AND AMENDING FEES AS INCLUDED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND WITHIN THE RESTRICTED FUNDS OF THE CARVER SPECIAL REVENUE, COMMUNITY AND VISITOR FACILITIES, PARKS ENVIRONMENTAL, SOLID WASTE, OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE, AND STORM WATER OPERATING, AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS TO REFLECT SUCH CHANGES AND APPROVING THE CITY'S CONTINUED REPRESENT OF ITS SHARES OF THE CASH BINGO PRIZE FEE COLLECTED UNDER THE TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
THERE ARE NO FURTHER CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 4E.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE FEE ORDINANCE ITEM NO. 4E.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 4E, THE FEE ORDINANCE.
>> ITEM 4F IS AN ORDINANCE CARRYING FORWARD CERTAIN FISCAL YEAR 2019 FUNDS, AMENDING PRIOR APPROPRIATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR REQUIREMENTS IN CITY PROJECTS AND DEPARTMENTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CLOSING ITEM 4F.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 4F, THE CLOSING ORDINANCE OF THE FY 2020 BUDGET.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR STAFF, HARD-WORKING STAFF THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS WELL AS ON OUR CITY COUNCIL TEAMS. WE HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA THAT WERE PULLED FOR
[26. Ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the City Code entitled "Administration" by amending Article IX entitled "Boards and Commissions Rules" which governs the creation and operation of Boards and Commissions created by City Council. [Leticia M. Vacek, City Clerk]]
INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, SO WE'LL MOVE RIGHT INTO THEM.SO IF THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LEAVING THE CHAMBERS COULD MOVE AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE, WE'LL GET THE REST OF OUR BUSINESS DONE.
>> ITEM 26 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE CITY CODE ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION BY AMENDING ARTICLE 2 ENTITLED BOARD AND COMMISSION RULES WHICH GOVERNS THE CREATION OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS CREATED BY CITY COUNCIL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER SANDOVAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER SANDOVAL .
I DON'T BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO NEED A PRESENTATION TODAY.
I JUST PULLED THIS ITEM TO MODIFY AND ADD ONE SMALL AMENDMENT TO IT.
JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY, THE SUBCOMMITTEE FROM GOVERNANCE, OR AN AD HOC COMMITTEE FROM GOVERNANCE REVIEWED THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, MADE SOME CHANGES.
GOVERNANCE ADOPTED THOSE CHANGES AND THOSE ARE ON TODAY.
IN ADDITION TO THE CHANGES THAT GOVERNANCE ADOPTED, I MOVE TO ADD THE CODE CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL TODAY, THE FOLLOWING CHANGE TO THE SECOND SENTENCE IN SECTION 2541A SO THAT IT READS THAT THE MAYOR MAY APPOINT AN AD HOC COMMITTEE INSTEAD OF A THREE-PERSON AD HOC COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ALL CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FOR SUNSET CONSOLIDATION OR OTHER RECOMMENDED CHANGES.
THIS ALLOWS FOR FLEXIBILITY IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS BEING APPOINTED TO THE AD HOC COMMITTEE.
THE AMENDMENT IS TO REPLACE A THREE PERSON WITH THE WORD AND .
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND THAT THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE US TODAY TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS GUIDELINES BE FURTHER AMENDED TO REPLACE THE PHRASE A THREE PERSON WITH THE WORD AND IN SECTION 2-541A.
>> MAYOR, THE COUNCIL VOTED ON THE AMENDMENT, WHICH IS NOW APPROVED.
SO NOW YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON THE ITEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GLAD YOU'RE HERE, ANDY.
[02:45:05]
ITEM 26.THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 26.
>> VIAGRAN: I JUST WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER SANDOVAL.
I KNOW -- AND MAYOR, TO LOOK AT THE CHANGES AND I THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP STREAMLINE AND HELP US MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN OUR BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS THAT WE NEED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 26, AS AMENDED.
[34. Resolution in support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Jeff Coyle, Director, Government & Public Affairs]]
MOTION CARRIES.>> ITEM 34 IS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HR6, THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR BRINGING THIS UP, ESPECIALLY MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE THAT MET A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON THIS.
WHAT WE HAVE IS A RESOLUTION -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF JEFF IS HERE.
JEFF, DO YOU HAVE -- JEFF IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME THINGS FIRST.
I THINK, AS WAS MENTIONED AND HIGHLIGHTED TODAY BY OUR INSTITUTE OF -- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS, THERE'S NEVER BEEN A MORE RELEVANT TIME TO PROTECT EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION BY CONSIDERING A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR HR6, THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT.
ON JUNE 4, THE HOUSE PASSED HR6 THAT WOULD OFFER PATH TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, EVENTUALLY CITIZENSHIP FOR DACA RECIPIENTS AND HR6 HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE SENATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR UNDER GENERAL ORDERS.
AND WE ARE WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE SENATE TO TAKE ACTION.
WE AS A GOVERNING BODY HAS DEMONSTRATED OUR ABILITY TO LEAD AND REFLECT THE FUTURE FACE OF AMERICA AND MOST RECENTLY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR OUR CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED NECESSARY FUNDING TO GO TOWARDS LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AS THEY WORK TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.
AMERICA'S IMMIGRANT YOUTH DESERVE TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY.
AND IF WE DO NOTHING AUDIO] CONTINUE TO BE TORN APART.
THE PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS EXPRESSED IN THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL IN JUNE 2017 AND THE RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE FEDERAL PLAN TO ASK CITIZENSHIP STATUS ON THE 2020 CENSUS ADOPTED IN JUNE 2018.
AS THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THE CCR SETTING THE RESOLUTION IN MOTION, I'M OVERJOYED TO BE STANDING UP FOR LEGISLATION THAT WILL ASSIST THESE IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THIS IS THE MORALLY CORRECT THING TO DO, AS THERE IS MORE THAT UNITES US THAN DIVIDES US IN THIS COMMUNITY.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND OUR DREAMERS AND DACA RECIPIENTS ARE ACTIVE FULLY ENGAGED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
AND THEY HAVE -- WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT LIVE IN DAILY FEAR OF BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES OR THE ONLY PLACE THEY KNEW AS HOME.
IT WAS NOT THEIR CHOICE THAT THEIR PARENTS SACRIFICED EVERYTHING TO MIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES FOR A BETTER PATH FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR A LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL BODY TO DO.
BECAUSE OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO.
SO ANOTHER REASON TO ACT IS WE KNOW THAT THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL, KEN PAXTON, FILED A BRIEF WITH THE SUPREME COURT TO TERMINATE THE DACA PROGRAM, WHICH CONTINUES TO PUT FEAR IN OUR RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.
BUT THAT STATEMENT AND HIS ACTION IS NOT A TRUE SPIRIT OF TEXAS NOR OF TEXANS.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS AREA OF TEXAS USED TO BE MEXICO.
SO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT EVERYONE IN AND AROUND THE AREA.
AND THIS IS ALSO A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WAS PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE, AND TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT IN 2011 FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY SIGNED THE ORIGINAL TEXAS DREAM ACT WHICH ALLOWS IN-STATE TUITION FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE LIVED IN TEXAS FOR THREE YEARS AND HAVE OBTAINED A GED OR GRADUATE FROM THE STATE'S PUBLIC OR ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
THE STATE LEGISLATOR HAD PASSED THE LAW WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND THEN GOVERNOR PERRY SAID IF YOU SAY WE SHOULD NOT EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN WHO COME INTO OUR STATE FOR NO OTHER REASON THAT THEY'VE BEEN BROUGHT THERE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE A HEART, END QUOTE.
[02:50:03]
FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH DEFENDED DREAMERS DURING HIS SPEECH, PRESSURING CONGRESS TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT ALLOWS YOUNG IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE BROUGHT TO THE U.S. ILLEGALLY AS CHILDREN TO STAY IN AMERICA.AMERICA IS THEIR HOME, HE SAID.
URGENT BECAUSE OF THEIR ACTION ON ASYLUM SEEKERS.
INSTEAD OF JUST EXECUTIVE ORDERS, WE HOPE THE SENATE CAN HELP STOP BEING SCARED AND TAKE ACTION AND DO THE MORALLY CORRECT THING TO DO AND PASS HR6, THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT.
WE KNOW THAT 96% OF DREAMERS ARE EITHER WORKING OR IN SCHOOL AND THE DACA RECIPIENTS CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN $42 BILLION IN THE ANNUAL GDP.
AND 14% OF DREAMERS HAVE PURCHASED THEIR OWN HOME AND PAY AN ESTIMATED $380 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES EVERY YEAR.
AND WE KNOW ALL OF OUR GREAT UNIVERSITIES AND SCHOOLS HAVE HAD DREAMERS AND DACA RECIPIENTS.
YES, THAT'S TRINITY UNIVERSITY, TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS A&M COLLEGE STATION, U.T. AUSTIN AND ALL OF THE UNIVERSITIES.
SO, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT AND I THANK YOU, JEFF, THAT WHAT OUR ACTION WILL BE IS ONCE WE PASS THIS RESOLUTION THAT IT WILL GO FORWARD TO THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, THEIR STAFF, AND ALL OF OUR DELEGATION THAT WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE SAN ANTONIO STANDS IN HOPING THAT SOME ACTION CAN TAKE PLACE AND THAT WE CAN BRING PROTECTIONS AND SOME ORDER TO THE STATUS OF MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN SAN ANTONIO AND TEXAS.
SO WITH THAT, MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 34.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU KNOW, COUNCILWOMAN THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE AFTER TODAY WHOSE HAIR IS GOING TO BE ON HAIR THAT SOMEHOW ALL WE'RE DOING IS -- AND NAME YOUR LONG LIST OF ANTI-AMERICAN THINGS AND THAT YOU AND I HAVE BOTH TAKEN ORDERS FROM GEORGE TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS.
THERE'S NUTS OUT HERE WHO BELIEVE THESE THINGS.
HOWEVER, WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THAT I CONSIDER OUR JOB, YOUR JOB AND MINE, TO REPRESENT NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO'VE GOT THEIR DOCUMENTS IN ORDER BUT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN SAN ANTONIO WHO DRIVES ON OUR ROADS, WHO RELIES ON 9-1-1 SERVICES, WHO RELIES ON, YOU KNOW, THE FIREFIGHTERS TO SHOW UP ON TIME.
WHO RELIES ON CLEAN AIR AND WHO NEED, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR TOWN IS SAFE.
THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO ARE MIGRANTS, PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEIR PAPERWORK.
AND THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY, VERY VULNERABLE AND HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTRY SEEKING SANCTUARY FROM GENOCIDES, SEEKING SANCTUARY FROM ALMOST CERTAIN MURDER AT THE HANDS OF CARTELS AND GANGS.
AND SO I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU ON THIS ONE AND, YOU KNOW, IF ALL THIS REALLY AMOUNTS TO IS JUST US ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TO DO THEIR JOB, WHICH THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT MAKING SPEECHES BUT THEY'RE REALLY BAD AT DOING THEIR JOB SOMETIMES.
I'LL JOIN YOU IN THAT CALL EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR USHERING THIS THROUGH TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR US TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THIS ISSUE.
WE JUST PASSED A $2.9 BILLION BUDGET SO THERE MIGHT NOT BE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE LISTENING, BUT THOSE WHO CARE MOST ABOUT THIS ISSUE ARE.
AND SO I THINK THEY NEED TO HEAR THESE VOICES.
EARLIER THIS MORNING IN OUR BUDGET WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
AND I THINK TODAY'S RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT OF 2019 HR6 IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT COMMITMENT TO OUR SAN ANTONIO FAMILIES.
DACA RECIPIENTS AND ELIGIBLE DREAMERS DESERVE PROTECTION AND A VIABLE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.
THEY'RE TAXPAYERS, STUDENTS, DOCTORS, TEACHERS, NURSES, SOLDIERS, NEIGHBORS.
BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN THEY WERE BROUGHT TO OUR COUNTRY AS CHILDREN AND HAVE SINCE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR ECONOMY, CULTURE, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
AT A MOMENT WHEN THE CLIMATE AROUND IMMIGRANTS HAS BECOME HAZY, SAN ANTONIO MAKES OUR STANCE CLEAR.
WE STAND WITH SAN ANTONIANS, WITH IMMIGRANTS, WE STAND WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILIES.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 34.
[02:55:02]
THAT'S ALL THE ITEMS ON[41. City Manager's Report]
BUSINESS.WE DO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATION BUT, ERIK, I WANTED TO TOSS IT OVER TO YOU AND SEE IF YOU HAVE A REPORT OR SHOULD WE GO RIGHT INTO THE CEREMONY?
>> WALSH: THANKS, MAYOR, JUST REAL BRIEFLY I WAS GOING TO HAND OUT A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FOR THE FY 21 PROPOSED BUDGET DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE.
[LAUGHTER] NO CITY MANAGER'S REPORT TODAY,
[Additional Item]
MAYOR.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: FUNNY GUY.
IF ANYONE IS NOTICING, WE HAVE SOME EXTRAORDINARY GUESTS IN OUR CHAMBERS THIS MORNING.
TODAY THE CITY COUNCIL AND I ARE PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE'S 72ND BIRTHDAY.
THEIR GREAT SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND TO MILITARY CITY, USA.
[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO WELCOME BRIGADIER GENERAL LAURA LENDERMAN TO CITY HALL, THEIR SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISERS.
AS WELL AS HER GREAT LEADERSHIP TEAM, COLONEL JIM HAMILL AND WILLIAM APPDACA.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE TWO AIR FORCE VETERANS ON OUR CITY COUNCIL, RETIRED LIEUTENANT COLONEL CLAYTON PERRY, WHO SERVED AS A CIVIL ENGINEER, AND A FORMER DEFENDER, COUNCILMAN JOHN COURAGE.
SINCE 1947, COURAGEOUS AIRMEN HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE MISSION TO FLY, FIGHT, AND WIN.
THROUGH THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE THEY HAVE ENSURED THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AIR POWER WILL ENDURE LONG INTO THE FUTURE.
DURING OUR NATION'S CONFLICTS IN KOREA, VIETNAM, KOSOVO, IRAQ, AND AFGHANISTAN THE AIR FORCE HAS SERVED ALONGSIDE EVERY BRANCH OF THE SERVICE GIVING THEM THE ABILITY AND FREEDOM TO FIGHT IN THE AIR, ON THE GROUND, AND AT THE SEA.
IN RECENT YEARS OUR AIR FORCE HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR NATION'S DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS.
HERE AND ABROAD FROM JAPAN, THE BAHAMAS, HAITI TO LOUISIANA, FLORIDA, TEXAS, AND PUERTO RICO, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF AIR FORCE HAVE ALWAYS STEPPED FORWARD TO SERVE.
FOR US IN SAN ANTONIO THE AIR FORCE HAS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HISTORY AND IN THE DEFENSE OF OUR NATION.
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN FALOY, THE FATHER OF MILITARY AVIATION, CHOSE SAN ANTONIO TO EXPAND THE FLEDGLING AIR FORCE.
KELLEY FIELD IS NAMED AFTER LIEUTENANT GEORGE E. KELLEY, THE FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY AVIATOR TO LOSE HIS LIFE.
AIR POWER DOES INDEED START HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AS EVERY ENLISTED AIRMEN IN THE AIR FORCE BEGINS THEIR AIR FORCE CAREER AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE.
ALL AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCES OR DEFENDERS ARE ALSO TRAINED AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE.
THEY HANDLE ALL TRAINING FOR THE MILITARY WORKING DOGS.
AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND HEADQUARTERED AT RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE IS THE PRIMARY TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMMAND AT THE AIR FORCE.
THEIR MISSION IS TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN AND EDUCATE AIRMEN TO DELIVER AIR POWER FOR AMERICA.
THE COMMAND IS FORGING AHEAD WITH INNOVATIVE TRAINING METHODS TO PROVIDE TRAINED AIRMEN TO FIELD COMMANDERS QUICKER AND MORE EFFECTUALLY.
THE 24TH AND 25TH IS LOCATED AT THE LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE ARE THE AIR FORCE'S PREMIER OPERATIONAL WAR FIGHTERS PROVIDING INFORMATION ADVANTAGE THROUGH CYBER OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECOGNIZANCE.
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, THE LARGEST JOINT BASE AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTINUES TO BE A VALUED PARTNER TO THEIR 266 MISSION PARTNERS AND TO OUR CITY OF SAN ANTONIO .
SO IT IS A PRIVILEGE, GENERAL, TO HOST OUR MILITARY AND IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE THE 72ND BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD'S PREMIER AIR FORCE HERE IN MILITARY CITY, USA.
TO AIRMEN EVERYWHERE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
MAYOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR HAVING US TODAY.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO BE HERE AND TO HAVE ALL THE AIRMEN BEHIND ME FIGURATIVELY, LITERALLY.
IT MEANS A LOT TO CELEBRATE THIS BIRTHDAY WITH YOU.
SO FIRST OFF, GENERAL ALA AND HIS TEAM, JUST I CONSIDER YOU ALL FRIENDS, FAMILY , PART OF MY MILITARY FAMILY FOR SURE, AND DEFINITELY A PART OF MY GROWING FAMILY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
IT MEANS A LOT TO ALL OF US TO BE HERE TODAY.
[03:00:01]
EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE, ALL OF YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS GREAT CITY AND THE SUPPORT THAT YOU PROVIDE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO.TO ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY, THANK YOU.
IT IS A DAY OF CELEBRATION, BUT WE'RE NOT ONLY CELEBRATING 72 YEARS OF HISTORY, BUT TODAY WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING THE UNBREAKABLE BOND BETWEEN MILITARY CITY, USA AND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACTIVE DUTY GUARD, RESERVE, CIVILIANS, RETIREES, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT SPANS GENERATIONS.
BEFORE THE ACTIVATION OF JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, BEFORE THE BIRTH OF THE AIR FORCE, EVEN BEFORE BENJAMIN FALOYS FLIGHT AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, THIS TRACES ITS ROOTS TO THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY 300 YEARS AGO.
OVER TIME THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS ONLY GROWN STRONGER.
SO MUCH SO THAT TODAY WE CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS THE HOME OF AMERICAN AIR POWER AND SO MUCH MORE.
OVER THE PAST 72 YEARS, AIRMEN HAVE CONDUCTED BASIC MILITARY TRAINING, FLIGHT TRAINING, MEDICAL TRAINING, BATTLE FIELD AIRMEN TRAINING, CYBERSECURITY, AND ISR MISSIONS, RECRUITING AND SO MUCH MORE RIGHT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND TODAY WE SALUTE THE DEDICATION AND SERVICE OF EVERY AIRMAN, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO CAME BEFORE US, AIRMEN LIKE COUNCILMAN PERRY AND COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
AS WELL AS THOSE WHO CURRENTLY SERVE, REPRESENTED BY THOSE IN UNIFORM.
AND WE SALUTE THOSE WHO WILL JOIN OUR MILITARY AND OUR AIR FORCE FAMILY IN THE FUTURE.
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL CONTINUE OUR PROUD LEGACY IN THE YEARS TO COME.
TODAY WITH THE GREAT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, WE STAND SIDE BY SIDE, TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION.
AND TOGETHER WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE TO ANOTHER 300 YEARS, WORKING TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP, LIFTING EACH OTHER UP AND KEEPING THIS NATION SAFE AND SECURE.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMEN AND WOMEN.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF YOU TODAY.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, PLEASE JOIN US DOWN HERE TO THE RIGHT OF THE DAIS FOR THE CUTTING.
AND WE HAVE THE YOUNGEST AIRMAN, PART OF OUR TRADITION.
A1C AIRMAN LEWIS HERE, WHO WILL JOIN WITH YOU ALL.
>> OUR YOUNGEST AIRMAN BORN IN THE YEAR 2000.
[03:06:02]
WE HAVE A FEW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.
WE'LL START WITH COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT, SO I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT EVERYONE WHO GOES THROUGH THE AIR FORCE VISITS DISTRICT 4.
AND I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU FOR MANY MORE YEARS, BUT MAINLY JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: HE'S ON HIS WAY.
>> PERRY: FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GO AIR FORCE! ALL RIGHT.
GREAT TO HAVE Y'ALL HERE AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE UNIFORMS IN THIS COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE GREAT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE COULD GET MORE IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FILL IT UP.
BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT LINK, MILITARY CITY, USA.
WE REALLY MEAN IT AND WE HOPE THAT YOU FEEL IT BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY FEEL IT AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU.
WE JUST RECENTLY SIGNED AN MOU WITH HIRING OUR HEROES AND OUR OWN OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS THAT WE ARE THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY THAT IS GOING TO BE DOING THIS PROGRAM TO HELP PROMOTE HIRING OUR SPOUSES OF MILITARY.
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT A NUMBER HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE ALSO HAVE THAT JOINT SERVICES SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH JBSA WHERE WE CAN COME IN AND DO WORK FOR Y'ALL AND SUPPORT OUR MILITARY, WHETHER IT'S ROADS OR GETTING SUPPLIES, THAT KIND OF THING.
SO WE'RE ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY JUST LAST NIGHT TO ADDRESS -- IT WAS A REUNION OF THE BEN WA.
HAS ANYBODY HEARD OF BEN WA BEFORE? VIETNAM AND IT WAS AIR FORCE VETERANS COMING TO SAN ANTONIO AND THEIR REUNION FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME .
AND THEY CAME BACK HERE AND THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO BE BACK AND TOURING LACKLAND THAT THEY ALL CAME THROUGH THAT BASE TO GET INTO THE AIR FORCE.
AND I EXPRESSED TO THEM OUR SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND, GUESS WHAT? IT WAS JUST AS GOOD BACK THEN AS WELL.
AND THEY WERE ALL HAPPY TO BE BACK HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
SO YOU SEE THAT EVERY DAY IN HOW THE MILITARY IS WORKING WITH THE CITY AND VICE VERSA AS WELL.
SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT AND I AM JUST SO HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THIS AIR FORCE BIRTHDAY.
SO THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR COMING OUT HERE TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER PERRY.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREWS-SULLIVAN.
>> SULLIVAN: IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH THE AIR FORCE CELEBRATING THIS BIRTHDAY.
I AM AN ARMY VETERAN BUT I AM A DEPENDENT OF A 30-YEAR RETIRED AIR FORCE SERVICEMAN.
AND SO I TELL YOU THAT WOLFORD HALL WAS WHERE I WAS BORN, IT WAS WHERE I HAD TWO OF MY CHILDREN.
THE AIR FORCE IS NOT ONLY JUST A SOURCE OF STRENGTH BUT IT IS A PART OF MY FAMILY, LITERALLY.
AND SO I THANK YOU, GUYS FOR BEING HERE.
I LOVE TO SEE MEN AND WOMEN IN
[03:10:01]
UNIFORM.AND YOU BEING BORN IN THE YEAR 2000, YOU ARE THE SAME AS MY YOUNGEST CHILD.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR MAKING A CAREER THAT WILL DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY FOR YOUR LEGACY TO COME.
AND, AGAIN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREWS-SULLIVAN.
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY.
YOU KNOW, THE AIR FORCE MADE AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION ON ME AND MY LIFE.
AND I KNOW THAT IT DOES THE SAME FOR EVERYONE WHO'S TOUCHED BY THE AIR FORCE AND BY THE MILITARY.
WE CERTAINLY ARE MILITARY CITY, USA HERE AND I THINK THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR THIS COUNTRY AND EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY IN MILITARY DOES FOR THIS COUNTRY HELPS US ALL RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MILITARY SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND I KNOW OUR COMMUNITY WILL STAND WITH YOU FOR ALL OF THE CONCERNS AND THE NEEDS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE.
I COULDN'T PASS THIS OPPORTUNITY.
GENERAL LENDERMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP HERE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THANK YOU ALL TO OUR SOLDIERS WHO ARE HERE, AIRMEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HERE AS WELL.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND I DIDN'T WANT IT TO PASS, JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR SACRIFICE, AND YOUR FAMILY'S SACRIFICE.
AND I THINK IT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AND POIGNANT KNOWING THAT YOU WERE BORN IN 2000 BUT MANY PEOPLE ALSO JOINED IN OUR MILITARY SERVICES SHORTLY AFTER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE AND COMMITMENT TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN.
IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY, GENERAL, THAT YOU ARRIVED TO SAN ANTONIO.
I'M SO GLAD TO SEE THIS COMMUNITY EMBRACE YOU AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, ALL THE AIRMEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HERE TODAY.
YOU MAKE US VERY PROUD TO SAY WE ARE FROM SAN ANTONIO.
>> SO AS WE CLOSE HERE REAL QUICK, OBVIOUSLY GENERAL LENDERMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING BY TODAY.
VERY BUSY SCHEDULE, YOU KNOW, FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO AIR POWER, SO WE APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE PERMISSION FROM ERIK AND THE MAYOR AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON COUNCIL TO LETTING US HAVE THIS BIRTHDAY CEREMONY TODAY.
COUNCILMAN COURAGE, YOU'VE GOT TWO DEFENDERS IN THE CROWD.
YOU CAN GET SOME DEFENDER LOVE AFTER THIS IS DONE.
I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH THE AIR FORCE SONG.
SO IF ALL THE AIRMEN WOULD COME UP AND GATHER ROUND.
I'M GOING TO STEP AWAY FROM THE MICROPHONE BECAUSE STRAY DOGS WILL SHOW UP IF THEY HEAR ME SINGING.
AV CONTROL, IF YOU WOULD GO AHEAD AND ROLL THAT BEAUTIFUL AIR FORCE SONG FOOTAGE.
SO WHENEVER WE HAVE TIME, PLEASE JOIN US FOR CAKE --
>> WE CAN TAKE IT OUT TO THE HALL SO WE DON'T INTERRUPT THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.