Dec 19, 2024 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:27]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:06 A.M. ON THE 19TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2024. WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER.

MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?

>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME. TO BEGIN OUR SESSION TODAY, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMAN PELAEZ TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR.

>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW HER, SHE'S KIND OF A FORCE OF NATURE. MINISTER PASTOR ANNE HELMKE IS HERO AND SHE IS ONE OF OUR HEROES WHEN IT COMES TO RELATING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY. SHE SERVES AS OUR FAITH LIAISON FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND SHE'S DONE THAT FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.

HER ROLE IS TO FACILITATE THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR FAITH COMMUNITIES, THE GOVERNMENT, NONPROFITS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE. SHE HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.

SHE'S ALSO THE CO-IMAGINEER OF COMPASSION USA WITH OUR OWN MA MAYOR .

I MET HER CLOSE TO 30 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS PART OF A GROUP THAT AWARDED HER THE PEACEMAKER'S AWARD AS PART OF THE BAR FOUNDATION'S INITIATIVE TO TEACH SKILLS TO CHILDREN. SHE'S BEEN A HERO TO MINE AND I'M DELIGHTED TO BE THE

ONE TO PRESENT MY FRIEND AND MY PASTOR, ANNE HELMKE. >> THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION, THOUGH. I HAVE BEEN WITH THE CITY ALMOST EIGHT YEARS. IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO DO THIS ON THE LAST SESSION THIS YEAR. AND AS I WAS PREPARING, WE'RE LOOKING INTO THE SHORTEST DAY AND THE LONGEST NIGHT THIS SATURDAY. AND IT'S ALSO WHEN WE HAVE A CITY-WIDE MEMORIAL TO REMEMBER THE SAN ANTONIANS AMONG US WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES WITHOUT PERMANENT SHELTER. PEOPLE THAT WE LABEL AS HOMELESS. SO I ALSO INVOKE THEM AND VOICE THEM INTO THIS ROOM AS WELL. AND AS WE LOOK INTO A NEW CALENDAR YEAR, I DECIDED THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO BLESS US. SO, MAY WE ALL BE BLESSED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO TRULY KNOW HOW TO TREAT OTHERS THE WAY WE WISH TO BE TREATED OURSELVES. AND TO EQUALLY BE AS COURAGEOUS TO NOT TREAT OTHERS IN WAYS WE DO NOT WISH TO BE TREATED. MAY WE BE BLESSED WITH CURIOSITY AND THE DEEP LISTENING SKILLS TO REALLY HEAR OTHER PEOPLE THE WAY WE ALL WISH TO BE HEARD AS WELL. MAY WE BE BLESSED WITH

[00:05:08]

AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE BLESSED WITH PURPOSE. THIS AMAZING PURPOSE THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO SHARE TOGETHER AND TO MUTUALLY LEAD AND TO SERVE AND TO COLLABORATE IN OUR COMMUNITY. MAY ALL THIS BE SO.

AND MAY WE ALL BE BLESSED INTO ANOTHER YEAR. AMEN.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REVEREND HELMKE.

ALL RIGHT. THE FIRST ITEM FOR BUSINESS TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4 AND 5, 2024. ITEM NO. 3.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 3. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES. FOR OUR AGENDA TODAY, WE HAVE ONE ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. THAT'S ITEM NO. 4. ALL OTHER ITEMS ARE LISTED

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

ITEM 19. ANY OTHERS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 19, AND 23. OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 19, AND 23.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: WE HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT ITEMS. YOU'RE CORRECT.

SORRY. JACK FINGER. ITEM 18.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. NO. 18, WHAT DOES IT SAY? IT'S ABOUT A LAWSUIT STYLED PATTON ZARATE V. CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $120,000. FUNDING AVAILABLE, ET CETERA.

THIS, ACCORDING TO THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTS, THIS IS ABOUT A MOTORIST WHO WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF TOWN. HE WAS LOOKING, TRYING TO -- LOOKING FOR THE -- ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WEEDS AND GRASS THAT SOMEBODY IN THE CITY, PUBLIC WORKS, HAD FAILED TO CUT DOWN. AND CONSEQUENTLY HE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE

[00:10:03]

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

WE'LL HAVE COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA NOW.

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

I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 15. I'M APPOINTING OLIVIA ORTIZ TO THE SAN ANTONIO DIEZ Y SEIS COMMISSION BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS APPOINTMENT BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE WE GETTING OLIVIA BUT WE ARE GETTING HER FAMILY, WHICH INCLUDES HER FOUR DAUGHTERS, HER SON, HER HUSBAND TO BE PART OF THIS COMMITTEE AND HELP IN THIS CELEBRATION. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND FOR THE DIEZ Y SEIS NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY I'M EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 27.

MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR PROJECT ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OFTEN FEELS NEGLECTED AND THE EASY THING TO POINT TO IS THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING COMMUNITY CENTERS SO TODAY I'M EXCITED WE'RE APPROVING A TIRZ PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST, WHICH IS GOING TO FUND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, DESIGN WORK, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION DUE TO ILLEGAL DUMPING, AS WELL AS SOME SECURITY BARRIERS TO PREVENT FUTURE DUMPING AT A NEW SITE ON MID CROWN AND EISENHOWER ROAD.

SUPER EXCITED. LOOK FORWARD TO APPROVING THAT TODAY .

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

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I'M EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FUNDING OF ITEM 14. SUCH A PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT.

I WAS HAPPY TO LEARN THAT NHSC WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, HEAD START, AND DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. DHS AND METRO HEALTH COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKERS TO ENSURE THIS PROGRAM GETS OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE FOLKS WHO QUALIFY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET CONNECTED TO RESOURCES.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE APPOINTMENT OF LEONARDO BUENTELLO. LEO WAS AN INTERN WITH US AND HE IS AN INCREDIBLY AMAZING STUDENT. HE'S AT ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY SO I'M EXCITED TO HAVE HIM BE A LEADER ON THE COMMISSION. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M HIGHLIGHTING ITEM 16, THE APPOINTMENT OF LARISSA MARTINEZ TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION. HER EXPERIENCE, PASSION, AND PERSPECTIVE ARE EXACTLY WHAT THE VETERANS COMMISSION NEEDS AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE IMPACT SHE'LL HAVE.

THANK YOU . >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 19, AND 23. PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF OUR VERY OWN NIOSA, HOWEVER YOU PREFER TO PRONOUNCE IT, THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY IS HERE. THIS TODAY MARKS THE OFFICIAL END OF FIESTA 2024.

AND TOMORROW I THINK WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF FIESTA 2025 BUT TODAY NIOSA HAS A VERY SPECIAL PRESENTATION THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TO THE CITY.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.

[00:15:08]

THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY MONEY ALSO HELPS WITH THE PARKS HERE.

WE GIVE GRANTS TO MANY BUILDINGS HERE. WE DID THAT UP THERE.

OUR MONEY FOR NIOSA GOES A LONG WAYS IN THIS CITY. JUST ALONE THIS YEAR WE GAVE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE PAID THEM ALMOST $400,000 FOR THIS -- JUST THIS YEAR SO WE'RE WELL INTO CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS IN THREE YEARS TO JUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND THIS MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE TODAY IS GOING TO GET US CLOSE TO $5 MILLION, GIVING IT BACK TO LA VILLITA.

HERE'S OUR CHECK HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS TO THE CITY FOR $221,000.

[APPLAUSE] WE HOPE IN 2025 WE GET TO -- WE'RE ABOUT $200,000 SHY OF $5 MILLION TO LA VILLITA. SO WE HOPE THIS YEAR WE WILL MAKE IT AND THEN SOME TO THE $5 MILLION MARK TO LA VILLITA. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH TO THE ENTIRE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY AS WELL AS NIOSA. AND THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF SAN ANTONIO WHO PARTY WITH A PURPOSE EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND ARE ABLE TO GENERATE THE REVENUE THAT YOU ALL SO GENEROUSLY GIVE BACK TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY. ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE CITY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO FIESTA

NEXT YEAR. VIVA! >> VIVA!

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: HOW ABOUT ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY? [APPLAUSE] SO WHEN YOU EAT YOUR CHICKEN ON A STICK AND BUY YOUR EXPENSIVE BEER, KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO A GOOD CAUSE,

[ACTION ITEMS FOR STAFF BRIEFING]

OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. WE'LL START WITH ITEM NO. 4. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 4 IS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED POLICY FRAMEWORK AND AMENDING CHAPTER 35, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AND CHAPTER 28 OF THE CITY CODE RELATED TO TOD INCLUDING BUFFERS, LOT LAYOUT REGULATIONS, DEFINITIONS, SETBACKS, AND

DETERMINING TOD BOUNDARIES ALONG THE GREEN LINE ART. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. CAT HERNANDEZ. OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT WORKED MANY MONTHS WITH STAKEHOLDERS , RESIDENTS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCE AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS TO GET TO THIS POINT TODAY.

WHAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING TODAY IS A RESULT OF MANY HOURS OF WORK TO GET TO A TRANSIT-ORIENTED POLICY FRAMEWORK WITH AN UPDATED ZONING CODE THAT WILL PROPEL THE CITY FORWARD TO ALIGN HOUSING, GOODS, SERVICES, AND JOBS AROUND TRANSIT.

WE STARTED THIS PROCESS TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDERS BACK IN FEBRUARY TO GET TO A DRAFT DOCUMENT. WE PROVIDED A BRIEFING TO COUNCIL BACK IN OCTOBER THAT WENT INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE DRAFT POLICY FRAMEWORK AND DRAFT UPDATE TO THE ZONING CODE. SINCE THEN AND OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN PRESENTING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK AND INPUT AT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AS WELL AS BRIEFINGS AND CONSIDERATION AT THE MANY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO GET TO THIS POINT.

AND I WILL BE PROVIDING A SUMMARY OF THAT FEEDBACK IN THE NEXT FEW SLIDES.

AS A REMINDER, THE FRAMEWORK CONCLUDES THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES THAT WERE HIGHLIGHTED IN MANY ADOPTED PLANS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THESE PRINCIPLES, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, MULTIMODAL CONNECTIVITY, HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, AND RESILIENCE WITH EQUITY BAKED IN WILL TRANSITION INTO 61 ACTIONABLE ITEMS. THESE PRINCIPLES ARE A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD MAP FOR ADDRESSING THESE KEY AREAS. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 16 OBJECTIVES AND 61 ACTIONS FEATURED IN THE DRAFT FRAMEWORK AND OVER THE LAST 2.5 MONTHS WE RECEIVED FEEDBACK TO HELP GUIDE US AS WE WORK ON THE PHASE 2 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS THE GROUPING OF SIMILAR COMMENTS THAT LED TO THEMES TO HELP GUIDE THE NEXT STEPS. FOR EXAMPLE, COMMENTS ABOUT MULTIMODAL CONNECTIVITY HIGHLIGHTED THEMES FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND BICYCLE CONNECTIVITY. THERE WERE CONCERNS REGARDING FEAR OF CHANGE, FUNDING, IMPACT TO HOUSING, AND THERE WERE COMMENTS ABOUT IMPROVING THE

[00:20:01]

OUR NEXT STEPS IN PHASE 2 INCLUDE TAKING THESE PRINCIPLES AND MOVING THEM INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION MODE. THE TEAM WILL WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND DEPARTMENTS TO EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT ACTION ITEMS RECOMMENDED IN THE FRAMEWORK SUCH AS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH THE EXPLORATION OF A TIRZ AND PROPERTY ACQUISITION AS OUTLINED IN THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PRINCIPLE. TO ADDRESS FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES TO CREATE THAT CONNECTIVITY THAT OUR RESIDENTS WANT ALONG THE TRANSIT LINE, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL ANALYZE THE COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL NEEDS SO WE CAN TARGET THOSE INDUSTRIES. AND TO IMPLEMENT MULTIMODAL CONNECTIVITY, OUR DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLORE A COMMISSION THAT PROVIDES OVERSIGHT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR TRANSPORTATION EFFORTS AND WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN EFFORTS TO CONDUCT A WALK SHED ANALYSIS OF OUR CORRIDOR TO SEE GAPS IN CONNECTIVITY.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, WE HAVE PRESENTED AT THE MANY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT YOU SEE ON THIS LIST INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS HELD IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. OUR ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDED OVER 100 MEETINGS, OVER 1,000 SURVEY RESPONDENTS, AND OVER 29,000 VISITS TO OUR SA SPEAKUP SITE WHERE ALL OF THE INDICWORKOF THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WERE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. AS THE DRAFT ZONING CODE WAS PRESENTED FOR CONSIDERATION BY DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS, THE FEEDBACK RECEIVED INCLUDED SUPPORT FOR EXCLUDING SINGLE-FAMILY ZONED WITH SINGLE-FAMILY USES WITHIN THE CRAG OR THE 36 SQUARE MILES OF THE CITY FROM BEING ELIGIBLE TO REZONE IN THE NEW TOD CODE AS WELL AS THE PROCESS TO CREATE A CUSTOMIZED BOUNDARY MAP FOR FUTURE CORRIDORS.

THESE POINTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.

SOME CONCERNS THAT WERE VOICED IN THIS PROCESS INCLUDED CONCERNS ABOUT THE APPROACH TO PARKING REQUIREMENTS, BAR USES, AND WALKABILITY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES. THE UPDATED CODE INCLUDES A REZONING REQUIREMENT FOR BARS OR TAVERNS WITHIN THE MX MIXED USE DISTRICTS BUT PROVIDE THEM BY RIGHT WITHIN THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS. WE ARE CONDUCTING WALK SHED ANALYSIS TO TACKLE WALKABILITY. PARKING WAS DISCUSSED DURING THE TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS WITH MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS. MUCH OF THE CONCERNS TALKED ABOUT THE EXISTING CONDITIONS OF TODAY. PROBLEMS WITH PARKING AND NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY ALONG CORRIDORS WITHOUT OPTIMAL TRANSIT SERVICE.

AND BECAUSE OF THOSE CURRENT LIVED EXPERIENCES, CONCERNS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRING WITHOUT PARKING AROSE. THE AVERAGE COST FOR INCORPORATING PARKING SPACES RANGE FROM $3,000 A SPACE FOR SURFACE PARKING TO $35,000 FOR STRUCTURED PARKING. THE UDC INTRODUCED PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN 1965 WITH NO UPDATES SINCE ITS ADOPTION. PARKING MINIMUMS CREATE INEFFICIENT USE OF LAND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DESIGN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE IT'S EASY FOR PEOPLE TO WALK AND USE PUBLIC TRANSIT TO GET AROUND. THIS CAN LEAD TO A FORM OF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE CALL URBAN SPRAWL. CITIES HAVE BEGUN TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES WITH PARKING REFORMS. WHILE SOME CITIES LIKE AUSTIN, SAN FRANCISCO, MINNEAPOLIS HAVE DONE AWAY WITH ALL CITY PARKING REQUIREMENTS, SOME CITIES LIKE MINNEAPOLIS ARE STARTING WITH THE TOD CODES.

REDUCING PARKING MINIMUMS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALIGN THE CODE WITH THE INVESTMENT THAT IS OCCURRING ALONG THE CORRIDOR. A MASS TRANSIT LINE THAT IS FASTER, FREQUENT, AND MOVES PEOPLE FURTHER THAN BEFORE. REMOVING ARBITRARY PARKING REQUIREMENTS PROMOTES GREATER SOCIAL EQUITY IN A COMMUNITY.

PARKING REQUIREMENTS RAISE RENT PRICES AND INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. REQUIRING NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE 60-YEAR-OLD CODE DOES NOT ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE NEEDED PARKING.

THERE HAVE BEEN UPDATES AND CITIES NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CODES ARE UPDATED TO REFLECT THE CURRENT TRENDS AND STANDARDS. THE TASK FORCE TACKLED THIS

[00:25:04]

SINCE THE PROCESS TO UPDATE THE CODE DOES NOT REZONE ANY PROPERTY, THE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS FOR REZONING WILL ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CONCERNS REGARDING PARKING TO BE ADDRESSED. IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO VISUALIZE THE TRANSIT CORRIDOR WITHOUT THE PARKING PRESSURES THAT WE EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF EVENTS RAPID TRANSIT THAT TODAY DOES NOT EXIST. THIS IS A CODE THAT WOULD ONLY BE UTILIZED ALONG THE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT CORRIDORS ONCE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE CODE AS PUT FORWARD BY THE TASK FORCE WITH AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE SINGLE-FAMILY ZONE LOTS MENTIONED EARLIER AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAFFIC CIRCULATION STUDIES FOR SCHOOLS. ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE CODE WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS BUT REQUIREMENT FOR THE MX DISTRICT BASED ON THE PUBLIC FEEDBACK.

ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE MAPS PRESENTED BY STAFF AS A RESULT OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED BY THE NEIGHBORHOODS. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE FRAMEWORK, APPROVING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT TOD ZONING DISTRICT AS PUT FORWARD BY THE MANY MONTHS OF WORK THAT THE TASK FORCE DID.

AND APPROVING THE MAPS AS PRESENTED IN YOUR PACKETS. I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE MANY STAKEHOLDERS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THE COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCE AND COMMISSIONS. I WANT TO THANK VIA AND THEIR CONSULTANTS FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT COLLABORATOR IN THIS AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HAND IN HAND WITH THEM ON THIS PROJECT. AS OF YESTERDAY, THEY OFFICIALLY SEALED THE DEAL WITH THE AGREEMENT WITH THE FTA.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT AND OUR CONSULTANT A COM THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS TO HELP DEVELOP THE FRAMEWORK INCLUDING THE STAFF FROM THE MANY DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED: NHSD, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, METRO HEALTH, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

I ALSO HAVE TO THANK THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVED AS RESOURCES AND DID MANY HOURS WITH THE TOD TASK FORCE. INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, PUBLIC WORKS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT, SOLID WASTE, AND OF COURSE OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

LASTLY, I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, MARY, ISAAC, AND JILL WHO SPENT MANY, MANY HOURS WITH ME ON THIS JOURNEY . THANK YOU AND WE'RE HERE FOR QUESTIONS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CAT.

I'LL ECHO THOSE THANKS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND COMMISSIONS AND TASK FORCES WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION, CAT. WE HAVE MANY CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NO. 4.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO BE HEARD, SPEAKERS INDIVIDUALLY WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES. GROUPS CAN HAVE UP TO SIX MINUTES SO PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY. I'M GOING TO CALL THE FIRST NAME IN ORDER OF SIGN UP.

I'LL CALL THE NEXT NAME ON THE LIST SO YOU CAN BE PREPARED TO COME FORWARD.

I'LL ASK EVERYONE TO OBSERVE AND PAY YOUR RESPECTS TO THE SPEAKER AT THE PODIUM AND KEEP REACTION TO A MINIMUM SO FOLKS CAN HEAR THE NEXT NAME IN ORDER OF SIGN-UP TO BE CALLED AND WE CAN ALL MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS HEARD.

FIRST PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NO. 4 IS GEMMA KENNEDY FOLLOWED BY ANNE

ALEXANDER . >> I'M GEMMA KENNEDY, 509 RIVER ROAD.

I'M ON THE TIER 1 NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION AND PLANNING CHAIR FOR THE RIVER ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD. THE TOD TASK FORCE HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO PRESENT THE PROJECT BEFORE Y YOU . I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE CURRENT PROPOSED TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DRAFT POLICY AND BOUNDARY MAPS.

BUT ALSO I STILL REQUEST A CHANGE IN THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOD MX-3 AND MX-6 DISTRICTS. DURING THE ZONING COMMISSION MEETING ON THIS PROJECT, OVER 190 NEIGHBORHOOD VOICES ASKED THAT MX DISTRICTS HAVE A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF 50%. AND NOT THE 25% AS PROPOSED IN THE DRAFT POLICY.

I KNOW IT'S BETTER THAN 0% BUT WE STILL WOULD LIKE 50%. THE MX-3 AND MX6 PROPERTIES

[00:30:03]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. KENNEDY. ANNE ALEXANDER FOLLOWED BY

TOM SIMMONS. >> GOOD MORNING. GEMMA SAID EVERYTHING I WAS THINKING OF SAYING BUT I WOULD LOVE TO THINK I WOULD LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE A CAR-FREE DOWNTOWN. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND LIVING IN KING WILLIAM -- 232 WASHINGTON. AND THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE NOT PROVIDING AMPLE PARKING.

AND SO WE FREQUENTLY CAN'T EVEN GET OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAYS.

THEY'RE ALL PARKING ALL OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND SO I TOO WOULD LIKE TO SEE AT LEAST A 50% REQUIREMENT FOR BUSINESSES IN PARKING.

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

TOM SIMMONS. TOM SIMMONS. OKAY.

BIANCA MALDONADO FOLLOWED BY ANNE VAN PELT . >> GOOD MORNING.

MS. BARBARA WIT HOWELL WAS GOING TO YIELD HER TWO MINUTES TO ME .

GOOD MORNING. MY IS BIANCA AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M REPRESENTING THE MONTICELLO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION LOCATED IN DISTRICT 7. THANK YOU FOR HEARING US TODAY AND OUR CONCERNS. I WANT TO TELL YOU WHERE I LIVE TODAY, WE'RE ON A BUS RAPID TRANSIT CORRIDOR. WE'RE ON THE PRIMO 100 LINE AND ALSO THE ZARZAMORA.

THOSE ARE TWO FUTURE RAPID TRANSIT ROUTES AND WHY WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE TOD AMENDMENTS BEING PROPOSED. WE SUPPORT THESE AMENDMENTS. HOWEVER, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN AMENDMENT. WE ASK FOR THE MIXED-USE DISTRICTS -- THIS IS WHERE YOU'RE BRINGING IN TWO USES TOGETHER THAT COULD BE THREE AND SIX-STORIES TALL, ADJACENT TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, THAT THEY MEET THAT 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT.

AND WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL 36 SQUARE MILES OF THE CITY, WE'RE THE ORIGINAL TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PARKING REQUIREMENT WHEN WE WERE DEVELOPED. I LOOK AT THE DECO DISTRICT AND WHERE THE ACCOMMODATE DEVELOPMENT OCCURS. THERE ARE 11 BUSINESSES.

HOW MANY PARKING SPACES DO THEY HAVE TODAY? 29 .

WE ARE ALREADY STRESSED WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE TODAY, WHICH DOES NOT MEET THAT 1965 PARKING REQUIREMENT. WE DON'T HAVE WALMARTS, WE DON'T HAVE TARGETS. WE'RE NOT OVERPARKED IN THE URBAN CORE.

WE ARE ALREADY CHALLENGED TODAY BECAUSE OF INFILL DEVELOPMENT ZONING THAT ONLY EXISTS IN THE URBAN CORE, WHICH NEGATED THE PARKING REQUIREMENT.

SO I ASK YOU UNTIL WE GET TO A FULLY-DEVELOPED BUS LINE, PLEASE IMPLEMENT A 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT BASED ON THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE TODAY.

BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT, JUST AS THE RENDERINGS SHOWED IN THE DISTRICT 1 FORUM THAT WAS HOSTED ON ON TOD, WOULD BE WIDENED TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL ON-STREET PARKING. THAT'S DISPLACING THE COST FROM THE DEVELOPER TO THE TAXPAYER AND THAT'S NOT FAIR AND THAT'S NOT EQUITABLE. SO I ASK YOU PLEASE IMPLEMENT A 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NOT AN ADVERSE EFFECT TO THE ADJACENT COMMUNITY. BECAUSE, REMEMBER, ON A TRANSIT CORRIDOR, NOBODY PARKS ON THAT CORRIDOR. BUT WHERE DO THEY PARK? THEY PARK ON THOSE ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL STREETS. AND IT'S PROBABLY A BIGGER ISSUE ON THE WEST SIDE AND EAST SIDE WHERE YOU HAVE HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT FRONT THOSE CORRIDORS. AND THOSE FOLKS WON'T BE ABLE TO PARK IN FRONT OF THEIR LOCATIONS ANYMORE. WE WANT TO SUPPORT TOD BUT WE KNOW THAT DEVELOPERS WON'T BUILD THE PARKING. WE NEED TO HOLD ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROTECT

[00:35:03]

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. MALDONADO.

ANNE VAN PELT. MS. VAN PELT, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GAGE WILLIAMS.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M ANNE VAN PELT. 119 WEST HUISACHE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION. SOMETIMES I COME TO THESE MEETINGS AND OTHER MEETINGS AND I FEEL LIKE I'M SPEAKING AND NOBODY LISTENS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING TODAY.

LET THE MARKET PARK IT IS A REALLY SNAZZY LITTLE SAYING THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I LIVE ON A TINY NARROW STREET, ST. ANTHONY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS ON MY STREET. THERE'S NO PARKING, WHICH IS FINE. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THAT LITTLE SCHOOL THERE, BUT LET THE MARKET PARK IT, THAT'S JUST CRAZY. WE NEED AT LEAST 50% PARKING. THIS RAPID TRANSIT WILL TAKE YEARS.

I'M FROM A HUGE CITY BACK EAST. IT TAKES YEARS TO GET THIS DEVELOPED. YOU CAN'T JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN SAY WE'VE ALL ALL THESE MEETINGS -- WHICH HAVE BEEN FABULOUS. AND CAT HERNANDEZ HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB OF WALKING ALL THIS THROUGH THE CITY. MANY HOURS AND HOURS.

I HAVE SPENT HOURS MYSELF. SO PLEASE LISTEN TO THE FACT THAT WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO CHANGE THE MAP, WHICH HAS BEEN BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN, JUST CONSIDER THE MARKET WILL PARK IT IS NOT AN ANSWER TO WHAT IS THE REALITY OF PARKING IN A TIGHT CITY.

I'M PARKING IN YOUR GARAGE ACROSS THE WAY ON THE TOP FLOOR BECAUSE IT'S TOTALLY BOOKED UP. BUT GARAGE PARKING IN MONTE VISTA OR DOWN THE CORNER BETWEEN HILDEBRAND AND ASHBY IS NOT -- PARKING GARAGES ON EITHER SIDE WOULD NOT FIT THE CITY PLAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. PLEASE LISTEN.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. VAN PELT. GAGE WILLIAMS.

YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY JOEY POLLACK. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS GAGE WILLIAMS. I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I HAVE WRITTEN A SHORT STATEMENT. I'M A RESIDENT ALONG THE SILVER LINE.

THE CITY CLAIMS THAT TOD WILL LEAD TO ECONOMIC GROWTH ALONG THE EAST-WEST CORRIDOR. WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES THE PEOPLE WHO STAND TO BENEFIT THE MOST FROM TOD ARE THE BILLIONAIRE DEVELOPERS, NOT THE EXISTING RESIDENTS. THE CITY IS PUSHING SO HARD IN RUSHING TO DEVELOP TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

THE CITY HASN'T ENGAGED WITH THE RESIDENTS ON THE SILVER LINE AT ALL.

I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DOOR KNOCKING FOR THE PAST YEAR.

NO ONE HAS HEARD OF THESE PLANS AND THEN WHEN WE EDUCATE THEM AND TELL THEM ABOUT THESE PLANS, THEY DON'T SUPPORT IT. MANY OF THESE HOMES ALONG THIS CORRIDOR ARE GENERATIONAL HOMES. MANY RESIDENTS LIVING THERE FOR 60 YEARS. A VIBRANT COMMUNITY ALREADY EXISTS AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS. AT THE END OF EACH BLOCK WALKING CAMPAIGNS, WE HOSTED COMMUNITY MEETINGS WHERE RESIDENTS COULD BRAINSTORM IDEAS FOR WHAT TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THEY COULD SEE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS INCLUDED MORE ACCESS TO URGENT CARE, MORE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND WATER FOUNTAINS.

SENIOR SERVICES, BETTER DRAINAGE, OWNERSHIP OVER VACANT LOTS.

SOME MAY CLAIM THIS TOD IS NECESSARY TO CREATE A BLUEPRINT FOR A THRIVING COMMUNITY BUT A THRIVING COMMUNITY ALREADY EXISTS AND DESERVES TO BE SUPPORTED IN ANY WAY IN ALL DEVELOPMENTS. NOT SWEPT AWAY AND BUILT OVER.

TOD ISN'T A NEW IDEA. THERE'S YEARS OF RESEARCH TO SHOW IF THESE GENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES AREN'T DEMOCRATICALLY IN CONTROL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, THEY WILL BE DISPLACED. SO THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE WE HAVE A DEVELOPMENT THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE IS TO PRIORITIZE AND SUPPORT EXISTING RESIDENTS.

PROMOTE BOTTOM-UP PLANS THAT SERVE THE PEOPLE AND PROTECT AND EXPAND PUBLIC HOUSING

[00:40:02]

TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLAN. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WILLIAMS. JOEY POLLACK. MR. POLLACK?

THOMAS ARCHER FOLLOWED BY VICTORIA GERMAN. >> MY NAME'S TOM ARCHER AND I LIVE AT 151 EAST [INDISCERNIBLE] IN MONTE VISTA.

I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE MONTE VISTA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

I HAVE A PRE-WRITTEN SET OF COMMENTS TO MAKE BUT I DON'T LIKE TO BE REDUNDANT SO I WOULD LIKE TO AD LIB A LITTLE BIT HERE TO EMPHASIZE SOME POINTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE. I'LL START BY SAYING I APPLAUD ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE AND I APPLAUD THE CITY LEADERSHIP TO TRY TO BRING US INTO THE FUTURE.

CAT HERNANDEZ HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB SHEPHERDING THIS TOD TO WHERE IT IS TODAY AND I URGE YOU ALL TO APPROVE IT. THE MAPS AND THE POLICY.

WITH ONE EXCEPTION OR ONE COMBINATION OF EXCEPTIONS, WHICH IS THE PARKING THAT'S BEEN ALREADY MENTIONED. I WON'T GO OVER THE SAME COMMENTS BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR-PLUS PROCESS AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INPUT FROM COMMUNITIES AND THE TASK FORCE. AND AT THE VERY, VERY END, YOU TALK ABOUT ARBITRARY, THE PARKING REQUIREMENT WENT FROM 50% TO 25% AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE. AND IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO SPLIT THE BABY IS WHAT IT WAS. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, PRECEDENT HAS SHOWN THAT 50% IS THE RIGHT NUMBER BUT THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE PUSHING FOR 0% SO SOMEBODY CAME UP WITH 25%. 25% OR NEGOTIATION SHOULDN'T BE THE WAY YOU GET TO A NUMBER. IT SHOULD BE DONE EMPIRICALLY AND THROUGH STUDY. THEN WE COME TO THE PARKING GARAGE ISSUE.

MAKES NO SENSE AND, IN FACT, IT'S ONLY IN THERE AT THE VERY END, AGAIN, LONG YEAR AND A HALF. AND AT THE END, THAT GETS THROWN IN.

WHY? TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM CREATED FROM THE 50% DOWN TO 25%.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE PARKING SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO PUT PARKING GARAGES INTO THE LAND USE TO SOLVE OUR SELF-INFLICTED WOUND. MAKES NO SENSE.

I ASK YOU -- THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. ARCHER.

VICTORIA GERMAN. >> AND YOU'RE CEDING YOUR TIME TO WHO NOW? TONY GARCIA? ONE SECOND. 21. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL CALL YOU UP IN JUST A MOMENT, TONY.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE HAVE VINCENT MICHAEL.

MR. MICHAEL, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AUSTIN KELM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M REPRESENTING THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SAN ANTONIO AT 1146 SOUTH ALAMO STREET. WE SUPPORTED THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DRAFT POLICY AND BOUNDARY MAPS AND WE APPRECIATE CAT HERNANDEZ AND HER TEAM FOR ADJUSTING THOSE MAPS REGARDING OUR MUSEUM PROPERTIES. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE TWO CHANGES TO THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOD MX-3 AND TOD MX-6 DISTRICTS. THE DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT OF 50%, NOT 25% AS PROPOSED. THE MARKET WILL PARK IT APPROACH DOES NOT REFLECT THE REALITY THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ENCOUNTER.

RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS, AND HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL UNITS CANNOT BE SUPPORTED WITH THE 25% PARKING REQUIREMENT.

WHILE E WE AWAIT A TRUE NETWORK OF RAPID TRANSIT. PLEASE ALSO REMOVE PARKING GARAGES FOR THE MX DISTRICTS. PARKING GARAGES WERE NEITHER DISCUSSED NOR RECOMMENDED BY THE TASK FORCE AND THEY ARE UNNECESSARY IF THERE'S A 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT. PARKING GARAGES ARE COUNTERINTUITIVE TO MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL HOUSING.

THEY CREATE CONCENTRATED VEHICLE EXHAUST, LIGHT, AND NOISE POLLUTION, AND THEIR DARK AND IMPERVIOUS MATERIALS CREATE HEAT ISLAND EFFECTS IN THE URBAN CORE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. MICHAEL. AUSTIN KELM FOLLOWED BY JOE

TODD. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AUSTIN KELM.

I'M A MEMBER OF THE STRONG TOWN SAN ANTONIO AND A RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER ALONG THE NEW GREEN AND SILVER LINES. I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO IMPLEMENT A STRONG TOD POLICY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TOD COMMITTEE THAT DRAFTED THE POLICY. SUCH A POLICY WOULD TAKE THE HUGE INVESTMENT THAT VIA IS MAKING IN THESE CORRIDORS AND MAKE SURE THAT MORE CITIZENS ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE

[00:45:04]

IT'S ALSO CRUCIAL THAT SUCH A POLICY LEAVE OUT RESTRICTIONS LIKE PARKING MANDATES, SETBACKS, AND LOW HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS THAT PUT AN UNNECESSARY AND HARMFUL BURDEN ON OUR CITIZENS WHILE REMOVING OUR ABILITY TO INFLUENCE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE AVERAGE PARKING SPACE COSTS BETWEEN 3 AND $35,000 TO BUILD AND RAISES THE BARRIER TO START A SMALL BUSINESS BEYOND ANY REASONABLE LEVEL.

THIS SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO BUSINESS OWNERS TO INCLUDE AND NOT MANDATED AT A CITY LEVEL. LASTLY, THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR A RENT CAP.

ALTHOUGH THEY CAN BE TEMPORARILY EFFECTIVE, THEY DO LITTLE TO FIGHT OUR HOUSING CRISIS AND INCENTIVE BUILDING. IF COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE TO LOOK AT A DENSITY BONUS WHERE LOCALS ARE ALLOWED TO BUILD BEYOND ZONING RESTRICTIONS IF AFFORDABLE.

AUSTIN HAS IMPLEMENTED SUCH A POLICY AND HAS SEEN A DROP IN RENT BY 14.6% OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING

WHAT WE WILL BUILD TOGETHER AS SAN ANTONIANS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. KELM. JOE TODD. ALL RIGHT.

LEILA POWELL FOLLOWED BY JOHN BAILEY. >> I'M LEILA POWELL.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN ANTONIO OFFICE OF LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT CORPORATION. WE'RE A NATIONAL NONPROFIT LENDER AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE CHANGES TO THE CODE.

I WON'T SPEAK AT LENGTH. I DO LIVE IN THE URBAN CORE. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2 AND USED TO WALKING TO A LOT OF THE PLACES THAT I WANT TO GO.

BUT I'M LUCKY TO HAVE A NETWORK OF SIDEWALKS THAT ACCOMMODATE THAT AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WITH THIS CODE AND THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK THAT YOU'RE GETTING THAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T DRIVE OR WHO CAN'T DRIVE.

AND WHO EITHER CAN'T AFFORD OR DON'T HAVE THE PHYSICAL ABILITY TO DRIVE, INCLUDING THE YOUNG AND THE OLD. IT'S INTERESTING, AS WE TALK ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE IMPOSE TO TRY TO CREATE A CITY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

AND WE TALK ABOUT PARKING SPOTS BUT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE REQUIRING BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE SPOTS WHILE ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS COME TOGETHER TO ALLOW LOWER-INCOME OR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR JOBS. TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS EDUCATION AND TO SHOP AND VISIT. TO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MOBILITY, WE OFTEN MISS THE POINT. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE MOBILE TO BE MOBILE, THEY WANT ACCESS. AND A TOD CODE THAT PROVIDES MORE DENSITY AND BUILDS UP THAT URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES ACCESS.

SO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING IT AND THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR THE CAREFUL JOB THEY

HAVE DONE WITH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. POWELL. JOHN BAILEY. MR. BAILEY, YOU WILL BE

FOLLOWED BY JILL TORBERT. >> MY NAME IS JOHN BAILEY, 11418 RAIN DROP IN SAN ANTONIO . I SUPPORT THE POLICY AS PRESENTED EARLIER TODAY.

I'M ALSO ON THE BOARD OF ACTIVATE SA, A GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT WORKING ON SAFER STREETS FOR ALL PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO. I THINK WE ALL READ IN THE PAPER TODAY THE GREAT NEWS THAT VIA RECEIVED ITS FULL FUNDING AGREEMENT FROM THE FTA FOR THE GREEN LINE SO WE ARE THANKFUL THAT RAPID TRANSIT IS HAPPENING IN SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS GREAT NEWS AND THE BEST THING THE CITY CAN DO IN THE SITUATION IS TO ALIGN AND LEVERAGE THOSE TRANSIT INVESTMENTS WITH LAND USE POLICIES AND PRACTICES SUCH AS THIS TRANSIT-ORIENTED POLICY THAT WILL LEVERAGE THOSE INVESTMENTS TO GET NEEDED HOUSING AND ENCOURAGE MORE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. A REALLY NEEDED THING IN SAN ANTONIO. I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS. I WOULD ALSO SAY AS WE ENTER THE NEW YEAR COMING UP, I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE THINGS HAPPENING WITH TRANSPORTATION IN SAN ANTONIO RIGHT NOW. I ALREADY MENTIONED THE GREEN LINE, THE COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. ALSO EXCITING WORK HAPPENING WITH THE BIKE PLAN THIS SUMMER AS WELL. I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT MS. HERNANDEZ'S

[00:50:03]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. BAILEY. JILL TORBERT FOLLOWED BY

BETTY ECERT. >> MY NAME IS JILL AND I LIVE AT 134 WEST GRAMMARCY.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE LIVED IN THE MONTE VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OVER 30 YEARS. WE HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED LIVING IN THE INNER CITY CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT, CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN. BUT MOST OF ALL WE HAVE ENJOYED LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS.

LAST MONTH AT THE ZONING COMMISSION MEETING, OVER 200 MESSAGES WERE HEARD REGARDING TOD. THE MESSAGES REQUESTED THAT THE MX DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT OF 50%, NOT 25%. AND YET THE ZONING COMMISSION ADOPTED A CITY RECOMMENDATION OF 25%. THIS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE 200 VOICE MESSAGES NOR THE IN-PERSON COMMENTS. I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE CURRENT PROPOSED TOD DRAFT POLICY AND BOUNDARY MAPS BUT RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TOD MIXED DISTRICTS HAVE A MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT OF 50%, NOT 25%. THE MARKET WILL PARK IT IS MORE APPROPRIATELY THE MARKET WILL POCKET IT AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS WILL PAY. AS PEOPLE PARK ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS THAT WERE NEVER MEANT TO ACCOMMODATE THE TRAFFIC AND ON-STREET PARKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS AN AESTHETIC ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. MOREOVER, PARKING GARAGES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MIXED DISTRICTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. TORBERT. BETTY ECERT.

AFTER MS. ECERT WE'LL HAVE DAN WILLET. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS BETTY ECKHERT AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALAMOS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THEM AND ALSO THE NORTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY PLAN, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN BRIEFED ON WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO, YES, WE'VE WORKED ABOUT A YEAR ON THIS TOD BECAUSE OF THE VIA GREEN LINE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO GET THE GREEN LINE GOING. BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ON SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION. WHY IN THE WORLD ARE WE DOING THIS? WHY IN THE WORLD? I WANT TO GO ON RECORD SO YOU KNOW TODAY THAT WE DON'T WANT IT. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT AND WE DON'T WANT IT.

AND WE DON'T NEED IT. AND WE'RE TIRED OF OUR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON THINGS LIKE THIS. THIS ISN'T EVEN ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

THE WHOLE THING BOILS DOWN TO HOUSING, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BUILD HOUSING.

IT'S THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE SO FAR.

HONEST TO GOODNESS, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL HAS SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE. WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WE'VE GOT YARDS.

WE'VE GOT TREES. WE'VE GOT WALKING SPACE. THE KIDS CAN RIDE THEIR BICYCLES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT YOU'RE GETTING READY TO TEAR IT UP.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT OUR CITY CONTINUES TO DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING WHEN WE'RE NO.

3 IN FOOD INSECURITY IN SAN ANTONIO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU. >> I'M ALMOST THROUGH BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT OUGHT TO BE YOUR PRIORITY. THE EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE --

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. >> AND REMEMBER YOUR TIME IS

GOING TO BE UP TOO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DAN WILLET.

>> SO BE SURE THAT THIS GOES ON RECORD. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:

[00:55:01]

FOLLOWED BY SUZANNE BAKER. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, GUYS FOR HAVING ME . I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 1 AND HAVE BEEN HOPING TO SEE A LOT OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THE TOD -- THE CURRENT TOD PROPOSAL WOULD INCLUDE.

I RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH THIS. IT HAS TAKEN A LOT OF EFFORT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PUSH FOR THE CURRENT PROPOSAL AND I WOULD LIKE THE CURRENT PROPOSAL AS-IS WITHOUT THE ADDED PARKING MANDATES. THE ADDED PARKING MANDATES WILL DO NOTHING BUT GO AGAINST THE DENSITY THAT WE SO DESPERATELY TO START BUILDING UP TO MAKE THE TRANSIT LINES WORK AS WELL AS TO MAKE THE CITY GROW AND KEEP IT AFFORDABLE FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE AND NEWER FAMILIES LIKE MYSELF WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK IN THIS CITY AND TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK ALONG THESE CORRIDORS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. SO I WOULD URGE THE COUNCIL TO PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS WITHOUT ANY OF THE PARKING MANDATES THAT WILL

HINDER THE DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WILLET. SUZANNE BAKER. MS. BAKER, YOU'LL BE

FOLLOWED BY RAY MORALES. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS SUZANNE BAKER AND I AM A CITIZEN WHO LIVES IN INNER 410.

AND I'M HERE TO READ A LETTER FROM KAYLA MIRANDA. I WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT

[INDISCERNIBLE] FROM ROBERT E. LEE HAS CEDED HER TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ARE YOU SAYING YOU HAVE MINUTES FROM SOMEONE ELSE? WHO IS IT? I'M SORRY. YOU HAVE MINUTES FROM SOMEONE ELSE?

>> I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. PLUS, I'M HAVING THE TWO MS. ANS CONCEDED.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU ARE NOT CEDING YOUR TIME, MA'AM? YOU CAN CEDE YOUR TIME OR USE YOUR TIME? WHICH ONE ARE YOU DOING?

>>

>> MY NAME IS KAYLA MIRANDA AND I'M A HOUSING INJUSTICE ORGANIZER ON THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. I WEAR MANY HATS WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS BUT I WORK IN THE LOCAL STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR LIVES WITHOUT WHICH EVERYTHING ELSE CRUMBLES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY, THERE ARE ALWAYS ADDITIONAL INSTABILITY INTERSECTIONS LIKE CHRIS WAGE DISPARITIES AND HEALTHCARE.

I UNDERSTAND WITH THE HOPE OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT BUT WE ARE NOT SAYING WE DON'T WANT INVESTMENT . WE'RE NOT AGAINST ENHANCING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BUT WHAT WE KNOW THROUGH EXPERIENCE IS THAT THESE TYPES OF PLANS NEVER BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS. COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENTS ARE NEVER OF HELP AND ALWAYS CAUSES MASS DISPLACEMENT AUDIO] SURROUNDING THE DEVELOPMENTS. WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS TO SLOW DOWN, TO STRICTLY DEFINE THE TERMS AND ENSURE THE RESIDENTS ARE TRULY HEARD AND PROTECTED. THAT WHAT WE PRODUCE IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY THAT CURRENTLY SERVES THOSE THAT ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT, THAT DISPLACE THE CURRENT COMMUNITY. SARAH SHULMAN SAID GENTRIFICATION REPLACES MOST EXPERIENCES WITH THE PERCEPTION OF THE PRIVILEGED AND CALLS IT A REALITY. I FIND THAT STATEMENT A TRUE REPRESENTATION.

WE CANNOT KEEP PRETENDING THAT POVERTY AND INSTABILITY WILL BE FIXED BY INVESTING IN THE MIDDLE CLASS WHILE IGNORING THE WORKING CLASS AND LOW-INCOME PEOPLE.

THEY WILL NOT CATCH UP BY THE WORKING CLASS AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE TO THE COUNCIL IN WRITING, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO THAT.

RAY MORALES. MR. MORALES, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY TONY GARCIA.

>> RAY MORALES, RETIRED ARCHITECT, SERVED ON THE TOD TASK FORCE, MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC WESTSIDE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION. THIS RUSHED PROCESS DID NOT INCLUDE NEIGHBORHOODS, INCLUDING MINE IN D10, UNTIL WELL INTO THE PROCESS.

OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ON THE CORRIDORS JUST GOT TO SPEAK A HANDFUL OF TIMES. WHAT IS THE URGENCY? THIS TOD PROPOSAL IS COMPLEX AND IT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF SAN ANTONIO PERMANENTLY. I THINK ONE YEAR OF THE CRAFTING, CONSIDERATION, AND SUPERFICIAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR A PROPOSAL OF THIS MAGNITUDE. COMPLETE CITIES SUCH AS SAN

[01:00:04]

THE 25% COMPROMISE WAS NOT BASED ON STUDY OR FACTS. SAN ANTONIO NEEDS MORE HOUSING. PUBLIC, AFFORDABLE, AND LUXURY.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT REDUCING PARKING REQUIREMENTS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR DEVELOPERS TO PRODUCE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE BENEFITS OF TOD, WALKABILITY, ACCESS, ET CETERA, OFTEN RESULT IN UNAFFORDABLE MARKET-RATE HOUSING, LAND SPECULATION, INCREASED HOUSING COST, AND EXCLUSION OF LOWER-INCOME RESIDENTS COUNTER TO CITY-SET GOALS. THE DEVELOPERS' GOAL IS TO RETURN ON INVESTMENT. THIS PROPOSAL CAN BE THE FIRST STEP WITH A LOT MORE STUDY. PLEASE POSTPONE ADOPTING THE TOD POLICY AND FRAMEWORK.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. MORALES. TONY GARCIA.

MR. GARCIA, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY MELANIE COFFIN. MR. GARCIA, YOU HAVE FOUR

MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS TONY GARCIA. 243 EAST HUISACHE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. I'M A MEMBER OF THE CITY'S TOD TASK FORCE.

I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE CURRENT PROPOSED TOD DRAFT POLICY AND BOUNDARY MAPS BUT GIVE SERIOUS DISCUSSION TO TWO REQUESTED CHANGES TO THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOD MX-3 AND MX-6 DISTRICTS. DURING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HEARINGS, COMMISSIONERS HEARD A TOTAL OF 300 STATEMENTS FROM RESIDENTS. YES, A REMARKABLE 300 STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS ENGAGED IN THE TOD AMENDMENT PROCESS. NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS HAVE VOICED THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING THE 0% PARKING REQUIREMENTS INITIALLY PROPOSED BY THE CITY. EVEN TO THIS MORNING ON SA SPEAKUP, THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY AND A MULTITUDE OF RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT PUSHING PARKING INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS THAT WILL ABUT PLAN TOD/ART CORRIDORS. WE KNOW THAT DRIVING HABITS WILL TAKE TIME TO CHANGE BUT WE CAN ONLY SURMISE THAT OUR OLDER, DENSELY-POPULATED NEIGHBORHOODS WITH NARROW STREETS WILL IMMEDIATELY FEEL THE GREATEST IMPACT ON CITY SERVICES LIKE FIRE, EMS, SAPD, AND WASTE MANAGEMENT WHEN TOD GETS FULLY IMPLEMENTED OVER THE YEARS. THAT BEING SAID, MX-3 AND MX-6 DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT OF 50% TO MINIMIZE THIS IMPACT.

THE 25% BEING PROPOSED IS A NUMBER THE CITY ARBITRARILY THREW OUT UNDER DURESS DURING THE MOST RECENT ZONING COMMISSION HEARING. INCREASED BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS, AND HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT ABUTTING RESIDENTIAL AREAS CANNOT BE SUPPORTED WITH ONLY A 25% PARKING REQUIREMENT. THE CITIZENS' REQUEST FOR 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT IS NOT AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST AS THE CITY HAS YET TO PRESENT A PROACTIVE SOLID SOLUTION TO ADDRESS A PARKING PROBLEM THAT ONLY IS GOING TO GET EXACERBATED ALONG THE TOD/ART CORRIDORS. AS A SIDE NOTE, PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR TOD DEVELOPMENT CAN SECRETLY, THROUGH COOPERATIVE PARKING AGREEMENTS, BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT VARIANCE REQUESTS, OR THE LAST RESORT, A UDC AMENDMENT. IT IS UNREASONABLE ON THE CITY'S PART TO PLACE A BURDEN ON RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF TOD.

SECONDLY, PARKING GARAGES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE LAND USE TABLE FOR MX DISTRICTS SINCE THESE DISTRICTS WILL ABUT RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

PARKING GARAGES WERE NEITHER DISCUSSED NOR RECOMMENDED BY THE TOD TASK FORCE AND WERE ONLY RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND RESPONSE TO THE INITIAL ELIMINATION OF PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND MX DISTRICTS.

PARKING GARAGES ABUTTING RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS CONFLICT WITH MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AND CREATE A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. PARKING GARAGES WILL OPERATE 24/7, CREATE CONCENTRATED VEHICLE EXHAUST, LIGHT, AND NOISE POLLUTION, AND CREATE AN ADDITIONAL URBAN HEAT ISLANDS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

[01:05:05]

IN FACT, ONE IN TEN PROPERTY CRIMES AND 7.3% OF VIOLENT CRIMES OCCUR IN PARKING AREAS. WHY WOULD WE CREATE ADDITIONAL LIFE SAFETY ISSUES FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS? CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS. SOME HAVE ACCEPTED TOD OPENLY, OTHERS BEGRUDGINGLY WITH VERY VALID REASONS. AT THIS JUNCTURE, LET'S BE SENSITIVE TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS AND INTEGRATE THE 50% PARKING REQUIREMENT INTO FUTURE TOD MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS. MAKE IT SAFER FOR ALL SAN ANTONIANS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. GARCIA. MELANIE COFFIN. MS. COFFIN, YOU WILL BE

FOLLOWED BY MEGAN NAVARRO. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MELANIE COFFIN.

I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITY.

AS A MEMBER OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, IT WAS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE A PARTICIPANT IN SHAPING THE FRAMEWORK BY HELPING TO AMPLIFY THE CONSIDERATIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I'M ALSO HERE REPRESENTING DISABILITY SA, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN SAN ANTONIO. THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK ALIGNS CLOSELY WITH OUR GOALS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. THE FRAMEWORK'S FOCUS ON INCREASING AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING IS CRUCIAL TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE ARE INVOLVED IN ADVOCATING FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING, ADDRESSING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, AND PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES.

AND BY ENSURING THAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, WE CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY AND INCLUSIVELY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION IS THE CORNERSTONE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS AND THIS POLICY'S EMPHASIS ON INTEGRATE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY.

BY PROMOTING WALKABLE AND BICYCLEBLE WE CAN ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS . THE POLICY'S AIM TO CREATE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS THAT INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS IS PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL. THIS CAN REDUCE THE COMMUNITY TIMES AND COSTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS MAKING IT EASIER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKFORCE. DISABILITY SA SUPPORTS THE INITIATIVES THAT STRENGTHEN THE ORGANIZATION SERVINGS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ACCESSIBLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE A KEY PART.

IN CONCLUSION, THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED POLICY FRAMEWORK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN SAN ANTONIO.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. COFFIN. MS. NAVARRO FOLLOWED BY

BRIAN LOPEZ. >> MEGAN NAVARRO, ROBERT E. LEE, VOTE NO.

NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY, I HAVE COME HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU, CITY MANAGER

ERIK WALSH -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MA'AM, YOU'RE SPEAKING WITH THE

ENTIRE BODY. >> BUT PRIMARILY YOU, CITY MANAGER.

MY ELDERLY NEIGHBOR JUST PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK AND SHE HAD CLIPPINGS OF THE POLICIES THAT Y'ALL IMPLEMENTED. AND SHE DIED FROM STRESS FROM DISPLACEMENT. SHE WAS SO TERRIFIED OF BEING DISPLACED THAT SHE SUCCUMBED TO HER ILLNESSES THAT THE POLICIES, MINUS TWO OF YOU IMPLEMENTED.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. RANDY SMITH STOOD HERE IN SEPTEMBER AND LED THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE THAT RESIDENTS OF THE SOAP FACTORY WOULD BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED, WHICH WE KNOW IS NOT TRUE. INSTEAD, HE USES VAGUE LANGUAGE AS A DEFENSE AND YOU WROTE A LETTER TO THE SUPERINTENDENT ON DECEMBER 12 TO KIND OF EXCUSE THAT. AND IF THAT'S NOT [INDISCERNIBLE], I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. NOW COUNCILMAN WHYTE AND COUNCILWOMAN HAVITA, YOU

LOST $20 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MA'AM, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS ON THE TOPIC. >> TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING GO HAND IN HAND AND MOST OF CITY COUNCIL HAS UPHELD TO DISPLACE OUR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS AND IT'S A PROBLEM.

SO WE NEED MORE TIME TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE ALONGSIDE THAT LINE. I WILL CLOSE BY SAYING, COUNCILWOMAN KAUR, WE'RE

[01:10:07]

THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. NAVARRO.

BRIAN LOPEZ. MR. LOPEZ, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY MOLINA.

>> I'M BRIAN LOPEZ, ACTIVIST WITH PUBLIC OVER PROFIT. I HAVE MADE MY HOME IN THIS CITY AND RAISED MY SON IN THIS CITY. I'M PROUD OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE THAT SURROUNDS US. I WANT THIS CITY TO GROW AND THRIVE AND I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE AGREES WITH THAT SENTIMENT. BUT THE GROWTH TOUTED BY THE TOD ADVOCATES WILL NOT ALLOW OUR CITY NOR ITS PEOPLE TO THRIVE.

GROWTH LED BY MOGULS IS A CANCER. A BLIGHT THAT STEALS AWAY LAND AND RESOURCES FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED, WORKED, AND BUILT SAN ANTONIO. IT WILL REPLACE THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE EXISTED HERE FOR GENERATIONS WITH OVER-PRICED CONDOS. THIS IS NOT SPECULATION OR FEAR MONGERING. WE HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF TOD IN TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION, AND EVEN IN REGIONS IN TAIWAN. TOD LEADS TO DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION. LAST SUNDAY MYSELF AND THE PUEBLO TEAM HOSTED COMMUNITY EVENTS AND A FINAL ROUND OF DOOR KNOCKING IN AREAS THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BY TOD.

MOST HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT THE PLANS AND THE FEW THAT WERE AWARE WERE LESS THAN THRILLED ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN FOR THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THESE COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESSED TO ME THEIR FEAR AND FRUSTRATION.

FEAR THAT THE CITY IS ABANDONING THEM IN ORDER TO APPEASE BILLIONAIRE INVESTORS WHO ARE EXPLOITING OUR LAND AND PEOPLE AND FRUSTRATION THAT EVERY YEAR IT IS GETTING HARDER FOR THE WORK-CLASS FOLK TO SCRAPE BY.

DO YOU GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT TOD WILL GROW OUR COMMUNITIES OR IS THIS GOING TO BE GROWTH FOR SOMEONE'S PORTFOLIO? FINALLY, I THINK IT IS DESPICABLE THAT THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS PARKING, NOT THE PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE THE DAY OFF TO COME AND VOICE THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THESE

POLICIES. VOTE NO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. LOPEZ. MOLLY FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE FAULKNER.

>> I TRUST ALL OF YOU GOT A LETTER FROM ME ALREADY. THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CORRECTIONS AS I SPEAK. I THINK ALL OF YOU KNOW WHO I AM.

A VERY PASSIONATE, WELL-EXPERIENCED HOMELESS PERSON WHO HAS RESEARCHED AND EXPERIENCED VARIOUS OBSTACLES FROM OUR CITIES OFFER TO THE POOR AND UNHOUSED. I IMPLORE ALL OF YOU TO VOTE NO ON 4.

THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DISPLACEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK AND GREEDINESS OR AT LEAST DO NOT RUSH INTO THIS DECISION BEFORE YOU COME UP WITH CONCRETE, SECURE PLANS TO PROTECT AND/OR REHOUSE THE ELDERLY AND POOR PEOPLE THAT THIS ITEM WILL IMPACT SEVERELY AND NEGATIVELY. THE ONLY COMPLETE THOROUGH DATA THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT COMES FROM THE GRASSROOTS GROUP, PUEBLO OVER PROFIT, WHICH CONFIRMS THAT THE THOUSANDS OF HOMEOWNERS THEY SPOKE WITH PERSONALLY -- NOT MAILERS, PERSONALLY, FACE-TO-FACE, DEMONSTRATE THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD PUBLIC MONEY BE USED FOR PUBLIC GOOD BUT NOT THE WALLETS OF BILLIONAIRE GRAHAM WESTON OR RANDY SMITH. THIS PLAN LACKS PRIORITIZING RESIDENTS OF THE WEST SIDE AND ALL BUS RIDERS. THIS APPEARS TO ME THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO STAFF ARE NOT INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE'S LIVES AS IT IS NOT DONE IN A THOROUGH REVIEW. IT HAS NOT DONE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE COMMUNITIES.

THIS PLAN WILL DISPLACE INTO HOMELESSNESS. JUDGING BY THE VIA METROPOLITAN CELEBRATIONS YOU HAD YESTERDAY, I'M ASSUMING THIS PORTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL IS A HORSE AND PONY SHOW. AS I FEAR, ALL OF YOU ARE BEING LURED BY THE CITY MANAGEMENT AND STAFF. YOU ALREADY ENDED THE HOUSING SECURITY OF SOAP FACTORY TENANTS. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE MUST SUFFER BEFORE YOU STOP YOU, MOLLY. STEPHANIE FAULKNER. [APPLAUSE] MS. FAULKNER, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MARISSA GRAMALDO.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE NEIGHBORHOOD INPUT. I'M STEPHANIE FAULKNER WITH THE LAVACA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. AND THE LAVACA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION APPROVES THE

[01:15:01]

WE SUPPORT THAT MX DISTRICTS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT OF 50% AND NOT THE 25% CURRENTLY IN THE DRAFT POLICY. A PARKING REQUIREMENT BELOW 50% DISREGARDS THE REALITIES OF WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CURRENTLY ENCOUNTERING AND WILL ENCOUNTER WITH AN MX DISTRICT ABUTTING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PARTICULAR ITEMS SUCH AS THE TRAFFIC, THE INCOMING TRAFFIC CHALLENGES TO LAVACA PRESENTED BY PROJECT MARVEL THAT MUST BE SMARTLY ADDRESSED . OUR COMMUNITY, RESIDENCES, AND BUSINESSES CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY LESS THAN 50% PARKING. WITH LESS THAN 50% PARKING, WHILE A VIABLE, FUNCTIONING NETWORK OF TRANSIT, RAPID TRANSIT IS IMPLEMENTED.

ADDITIONALLY, AS A WAY TO REDUCE THE FOOTPRINT NEEDED FOR THE REQUIRED PARKING, WE SUPPORT THE OPTION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT IN AN MX DISTRICT TO USE A DEDICATED PARKING GARAGE TO HELP MEET THEIR INDIVIDUAL 50% MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENT AS LONG AS THE PARKING GARAGE IS NOT ABUTTING ANY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NEW MEXICO THANK YOU, MS. FAULKNER. MARISSA GRAMALDO FOLLOWED BY

SAMANTHA WHITNEY. >> GOOD MORNING. MY CHILDREN GO TO OLMOS ELEMENTARY. I'M HERE BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND BY AND WATCH THE CITY POUR MONEY INTO A PROJECT THAT IN MY OPINION WILL ONLY WIDEN THE GAP BETWEEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT. THE TOD PROJECT CLAIMS IT WILL IMPROVE THE CITY BUT I BELIEVE IT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT HARDER FOR MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE TO SURVIVE. THIS PROJECT IS NOT ABOUT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF US, IT'S ABOUT GENTRIFICATION.

THE PEOPLE CALLING THE SHOTS ON THIS PLAN AREN'T THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WILL BE MOST AFFECTED. THIS PLAN IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR CITY MORE CONNECTED, MORE WALKABLE, MORE ACCESSIBLE. BUT THE ONLY THING IT WILL CONNECT IS THE WEALTHIER PARTS OF TOWN TO THE PLACES THEY WANT TO BE WHILE LEAVING THE REST OF US IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE CAN'T AFFORD ANYMORE.

IF YOU'RE A WORKING-CLASS PERSON OR SINGLE PARENT STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, THE QUESTION IS WHERE WILL YOU LIVE WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT COMES IN? WHEN RENTS SKYROCKET AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY, WHERE WILL YOUR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL? HOW WILL YOU MANAGE TO GET TO WORK, PAY YOUR BILLS, OR KEEP A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD? THE TOD PLAN IS SUPPOSED TO COST AROUND $446 MILLION. IF WE HAVE THIS MONEY, WHY AREN'T WE INVESTING IT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WHY NOT BUILD PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF POVERTY IN OUR CITY? WHY NOT FUND HEALTHCARE FOR THE UNINSURED OR BUILD ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM? WHY NOT FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS? WE NEED REAL SOLUTIONS, NOT MORE DEVELOPMENT. THIS PLAN IS ABOUT PRIORITIES. IT'S ABOUT DECIDING WHETHER WE WANT TO BUILD A CITY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET OR A CITY THAT TAKES CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY. WE NEED PROGRAMS THAT MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR WORKING FAMILIES, NOT PROJECTS THAT LEAVE US BEHIND. WE NEED HOUSING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD.

WE NEED JOBS THAT PAY A LIVING WAGE. WE DESERVE BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE THE COMMUNITY THAT MAKES THE CITY RUN AND BECAUSE OUR NEEDS SHOULD BE THE

PRIORITY. THANK YOU. >> GAVITO: SAMANTHA.

>> SAMANTHA WHITNEY, URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPAL HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

I SERVED ON THE TOD TASK FORCE AND URGE YOU TO ADOPT THE FRAMEWORK POLICY AND UDC UPDATES. THROUGH THE LENS OF THE TASK FORCE WORK I WAS ABLE TO SEE HOW INCLUSIVE AND COLLABORATIVE THE PROCESS HAS BEEN LEADING UP TO THIS DATE. EACH MEETING INCLUDED ROBUST CONVERSATIONS WITH THE TASK FORCE AND INCLUDED PUBLIC INPUT AT EACH MEETING THAT REPRESENTED A CROSS-SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATE FOR THE SMART AND RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE TYPE OF GROWTH THAT OUR CITY DESPERATELY NEEDS, ESPECIALLY DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES AFFORDABLE AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING.

THEY CONSISTENTLY SHOWED UP AT EACH OF THE PUBLIC MEETING INPUT SESSIONS AND PROVIDED THEIR INPUT AND GUIDANCE. SAN ANTONIO IS ON THE CUSP OF DOING SOMETHING GREAT WITH THESE UPDATES AND WE HAVE TO BE BOLD A EMBRACE THE TYPE OF GROWTH AHEAD OF US WHILE PROTECTING OUR ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS.

I BELIEVE THE WORK IN FRONT OF YOU BALANCES BOTH OF THOSE NEEDS BEAUTIFULLY.

AND, AGAIN, URGE YOU TO ADOPT THE PLAN. THANK YOU.

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, SAMANTHA. ROBERT HERNANDEZ FOLLOWED BY

[01:20:06]

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. WHERE IS EVERYONE ELSE? CAN YOU BRING THEM OUT WHEN I SPEAK, PLEASE? HELLO. MY NAME IS ROBERT HERNANDEZ, BORN AND RAISED HERE AND AN ORGANIZER WITH PUEBLO OVER PROFIT AND HAVE ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH HOUSING INSECURITY. I'M HERE DEMANDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE RESIDENTS AND VOTE AGAINST ADOPTING THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND FRAMEWORK. TOD IS NOTHING BUT A GENTRIFICATION SCHEME. Y'ALL KNOW THAT. THAT'S WHY YOU'RE VOTING FOR IT, PROBABLY. IN A STUDY, THIS GROUP LOOKED AT 85 DIFFERENT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ASKED IS TOD AFFORDABLE TO LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS? THE ANSWER IS NO.

THE GROUP FOUND THAT OUT OF 85 DIFFERENT TODS RESEARCHED, A MAJORITY OF 60% HAD 10% OR LESS THAN 10% HOUSING UNITS AS AFFORDABLE. THIS IS DISGUSTINGLY LOW BUT UNSURPRISING. THE NITC FOUND THAT ONLY 32 OUT OF 117 DEVELOPMENTS WERE SUBJECT TO ANY TYPE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS BEING BUILT.

THIS DATA WAS SEEN WHEN EXAMINING AUSTIN, DALLAS, LOS ANGELES, AND HOUSTON.

HOW CAN OUR CITY BE SO READY TO ADOPT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT POLICIES WHEN THEY HAVE LEFT THE WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS BEHIND? DOES THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WANT TO DO THE SAME? OUR CITY IS BUILT AND POWERED BY THE WORKING CLASS AND OUR DEVELOPMENT SHOULD PRIORITIZE THEM.

ALSO, IF PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE TO USE THE SILVER LINE, TOD MUST HOUSE LOW INCOME PEOPLE BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE BUS. MARKET-RATE PEOPLE USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION LESS THAN LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS. 9% OF MARKET-RATE RESIDENTS DO NOT OWN A VEHICLE WHILE 53% OF LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS DO NOT OWN A VEHICLE.

PRIORITIZE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS. PEOPLE USE THE BUS, NOT DENSITY. IF WE ADOPT ANY TOD POLICIES WE MUST REQUIRE THESE

DEVELOPMENTS TO HOUSE OUR PEOPLE, NOT DISPLACE THEM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. HERNANDEZ. LEONARDO MAR. LEONARDO MAR.

JAKE TUCKER. MR. TUCKER, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY PARKER DIXON.

>> JAKE TUCKER, DISTRICT 3 AND PART OF PUEBLO OVER PROFIT COALITION.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE RESEARCHED THE SILVER LINE ART AND TOD PROJECTS.

ATTENDED VIA EVENTS AND ZONING TASK FORCE MEETINGS. WE MET WITH NHSD, KNOCKED OVER 1,000 DOORS AND TALKED TO OVER 200 RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG THE SILVER LINE WHO WILL BE THE MOST IMPACTED BY TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

WE HELD THREE COMMUNITY MEETINGS. IT IS CLEAR THAT TOD EQUALS GENTRIFICATION. THE SAME PLAN IS IN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHEN DOOR KNOCKING, IT'S CLEAR THESE HISTORICALLY UNDERDEVELOPED NEIGHBORHOODS NEED INVESTMENT. TOD PROMISES TO DO THIS BUT WHO WILL BE LEFT TO ENJOY IT? THE PEOPLE WE TALKED TO KNOW WHAT'S NEEDED TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES BUT NOBODY ASKS THEM.

VERY, VERY, VERY FEW PEOPLE WE TALKED TO HEARD OF THE SILVER LINE IN ONE THING WE FOUND IN ABUNDANCE WAS CYNICISM REGARDING WHETHER ANYONE WOULD LISTEN TO OR CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED. WE COMMUNICATED THIS TO CAT HERNANDEZ AND HER TEAM, ENCOURAGING THEM TO SLOW DOWN, GET SERIOUS ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES THEY'RE AIMING TO REMAKE, AND MAKE DOOR KNOCKING A CORE PIECE OF THEIR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLANS. CLEARLY THEY IGNORED US. WE AND SILVER LINE RESIDENTS KNOW WHY. FROM THE BEGINNING TOD AND ART HASN'T BEEN ABOUT BENEFITING RESIDENTS. YOU ALL KNOCK ON DOORS WHEN IT'S ELECTION SEASON BUT WHEN MAKING DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR LIVES, NO EFFORT IS MADE.

WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM? THAT YOU WILL LISTEN AND FIGHT FOR THEM OR DO YOU TELL THEM YOU'LL RUBBER STAMP WHATEVER CITY MANAGER SLAPS ON YOUR DESK, EVEN IF YOU DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. HOW MANY OF YOU ALL HAVE RESEARCHED THE DISPLACEMENT RECORD OF TOD IN OTHER CITIES OR LOOKED DEEPLY INTO CAUSES OF DISPLACEMENT IN THE CITY? WHO CAN VOTE YES TODAY ABOUT

HOW THIS DIFFERS FROM PAST SCHEMES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

[01:25:01]

MR. DIXON, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PATTY GIBBONS. >> I'LL BE YIELDING MY TIME

TO JIM BAILEY . >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MR. BAILEY, I'LL CALL YOU UP IN JUST A MOMENT. PATTY GIBBONS. MS. GIBBONS, YOU'LL BE

FOLLOWED BY ERIN HAHN. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M PATTI GIBBONS, 11618 SAND ISMAN. I HAVE WORKED WITH -- BEEN AWARE OF THE TOD -- NOT THE TOD, THE GREEN LINE SINCE 2019 WHEN IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED.

THE GREEN LINE WAS THE BIG DISCUSSION WE ALL HAD TO ADJUST TO.

YOU ARE GOING TO PUT A NEW BUS LINE ON, IT'S GOING TO SQUEEZE OUT VEHICLES.

THEN THE DISCUSSION GREW INTOIST TRANSIT ORIENTEDVELOPME. THIS IS JUST AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING CODE BECAUSE WHEN YOU INTRODUCED MAPS WHICH SHOWED AN ACTUAL DRAWING OF AN OVERLAY OVER BUSINESSES ACKNOWLEDGE HOMES, THEN I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD THE 2 HUNG-FOOT NOTIFICATION THAT WASN'T DONE.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO IDEA THIS IS TAKING PLACE.

YET IT WILL AFFECT THEIR PRIVATE BUSINESS. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE THOUGH IS YOU ARE GOING TO APPROVE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING IS THAT 50% REDUCTION IN PARKING.

I WORKED WITH ALL OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH ALL THESE MEETINGS AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE ONES. OVER 200 PEOPLE SPOKE FROM MONTE VISTA ON THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE PARKING. TIER 1, OLMOS TERRACE. THE 50% ACTUALLY IS NEEDED.

IT'S NOT SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO GO TO ZERO SHE IT'S JUST SAYING TODAY IT WON'T SUIT US AND IT WILL BE A BURDEN ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. IF AN AMENDMENT IS APPROVED

I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT THAT AND MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. ERIN HAWN. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CR

DREA GARZA. >> WE'RE A STATEWIDE NON-PROFIT.

ACCORDING TO HUD IN THE ABSENCE OF ANTI-DISPLACEMENT POLICY MEASURES, THE BENEFITS OF TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT OFFER PRODUCTION OF UNAFFORDABLE AND LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS. IF A TOD FRAMEWORK IS TO BE ADOPTED, TEXAS HOUSERS SUPPORTS FOR THE AFFORDABILITY TOOL KITS WHICH SPECIFY STRATEGIES IF IMPLEMENTED AND PROPERLY FUNDED WOULD HELP PREVENT DISPLACEMENT. THESE INCLUDE USING A DISPLACEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT TOOL TO EVALUATE A POTENTIAL'S DEVELOPMENT TO CAUSE DISPLACEMENT, UTILIZING FUTURE HOUSING FUND BONDING AND FACILITATING COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ABILITY TO ENSURE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.

RESEARCH HOUSEHOLDS WHO EXPERIENCE THE GREATEST NEED FOR HOUSING IN SAN ANTONIO.

SPECIFIC POLICY MEASURES TO PRODUCE AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT DISRUPT THE HOUSING STABILITY OF LONG-TIME RESIDENTS. A TOD FRAMEWORK WITHOUT ANTI-DISPLACEMENT MEASURES BOTH SERVED WITH MECHANISMS TO ENSURE IMPACT WOULD CONTRADICT CITY GOALS OF INCREASING HOUSING SECURITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. HAWN. DREA GARZA. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY

LUISANA IBANEZ. >> I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 7 AND THANK COUNCILWOMAN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED ON THE TOD TASK FORCE.

FIRST I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO VIA FOR THE HISTORIC FUNDING THEY HAVE RECEIVED TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GREEN LINE. I SUPPORT EQUITABLE TRANSIT

[01:30:05]

PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED USING AN EQUITY LENS.

TO WHAT EXTENT WOULD A HYPER FOCUS ON THE CORRIDOR UNDER MINE THE PROGRESS AUTHORIZED EQUITY IN PRONGS, HOUSING AND -- PROJECTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

YES, LET'S CREATE MORE COMMUNITY BUT TAKE A PAUSE TO STUDY COSTS AND ALLOW FOR GRASS-ROOTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEYOND SA SPEAK UP AND FARMERS MARKETS SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS. INFRASTRUCTURE, SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS AND MITIGATE ING POLICE PLACEMENT COSTS MONEY.

THERE IS AN ADDED TAX THAT WILL LIKELY BE COMING TO OUR CELL PHONES AND THE COST OF INFLATION. THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT WOULD ALSO BE UNFOLDING BRINGING YET ANOTHER TAX BURDEN ALL ABOUT THE SAME TIME FRAME.

SAN ANTONIANS WILL NEED TO PAY FOR THESE FINANCIAL BURDENS AND IT WILL REVERBERATE MORE SO ON THE ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE. HELP US MAKE SURE WE HAVE A TRUE EQUITY-BASED POLICY FOR EVERYONE SO WE CAN KEEP ALL OF SAN ANTONIO MOVING, NOT

JUST THE PRIVILEGED FEW. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GARZA. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANTHONY CRUZ JR.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M HERE TO REQUEST YOUR REJECTION OF THE TOD FRAMEWORK AS IS BEING PROPOSED BY CITY STAFF AT THIS TIME. THERE'S STILL SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND SINGLE-FAMILY DISTRICTS AND CLEAR PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS FROM DISPLACEMENT IF THESE REZONING CHANGES WERE TO BE ALLOWED. I CURRENTLY SERVE AS COORDINATOR FOR THE COALITION FOR DIGNIFIED HOUSING WHICH SEEKS ALSO FROM HOME DEMOLITION WHICH IS THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

AND WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT THE NEED IS GREATER THAN WHAT LITTLE RESOURCES OUR CITY, COUNTY OR EVEN LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES HAVE TO OFFER.

WE'VE MET SEVERAL RESIDENTS WHO EARN LESS THAN $12,000 A YEAR AND HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES WITH NATURALLY AFFORDABLE RENTS BY HOMEOWNERS WHO OFFER HUMBLE DWELLINGS. THERE'S ALWAYS THE RISK SPECIFICALLY WITH THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES AND FROM LAND SPECULATORS THAT THEIR LANDLORDS WILL BE FORCED OR INCENTIVIZED TO SELL. PRIORITIZING THEIR FINANCIAL HEALTH OVER HOUSING STABILITY OF FAMILIES. WORKING CLASS AND LEGACY HOMEOWNERS FACE THE SAME RISK. MY OWN FAMILY HAS BEEN DISPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE LAST HOME THAT WE LEFT WAS FORECLOSURED BY A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO -- WHO WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY A HARD LENDER. AND THAT WAS OVER TWO YEARS AGO. UNTIL THIS DAY THAT HOME STANDS FOR SALE.

VACANT, AS DO MANY OF THE HOMES IN THE EAST SIDE WHERE I GREW UP.

WHAT WE NEED MORE THAN EVER AT THIS TIME IS EXPANDED PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS AND DEEPLY FORM AND PUBLIC HOUSING OPTIONS -- AFFORDABLE OPTIONS SO OUR HARD-WORKING RESIDENTS CAN STAY IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY DESERVE TO

LIVE IN. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU. ANTHONY CRUZ, JR. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, FRIENDS, I AM A MEMBER OF SAN ANTONIO'S FOR REAL TRANSIT AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT. AND ADVOCATE FOR REMOVAL OF PARKING MINIMUMS. THEY ARE ABOUT CREATING EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST A PRIVILEGED FEW. DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE NOT CARS. BY FOCUSING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HUBS WE CAN BUILD NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE WALKABLE, BIKE FRIENDLY AND ACCESSIBLE.

THIS APPROACH NOT ONLY REDUCES OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT BUT ALSO PROMOTES A HEALTHIER AND MORE CONNECTED WAY OF LIVING. ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES WE FACE DAY IS THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING. LEADING TO MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS. WHEN PEOPLE RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THEY SAVE MONEY ON CAR OWNERSHIP, INSURANCE AND FUEL WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY EASES THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FAMILIES. MORE OVER, TRANSIT ORIENTED

[01:35:04]

BY INTEGRATEING AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICIES AND EASING DENSITY, WE CAN ASSURE LONG-TIME RESIDENTS ARE NOT DISPLACED. THIS PRODUCES INCREASED COMMUNITIES. RATHER THAN BEING PUSHED OUT BY RISING COSTS.

TO TRULY REALIZE THE BENEFITED OF TOD, WE MUST ADDRESS PARKING MINCE.

REQUIRING BUILDERS TO BUILD A SET NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES WHICH IS PASSED ON TO TENANTS. WE CAN LOWER CONSTRUCTION COSTS, REDUCE RENTS AND MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE. BY SUPPORTING TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, WE CAN BUILD COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE. LET'S GET THIS DONE. THANK YOU ALL.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. LETICIA SANCHEZ, FOLLOWED BY

ISABEL GALVAN. >> I GIVE MY TIME TO LETICIA.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. YOU'LL HAVE FOUR MINUTES, MS. SANCHEZ.

>> GOOD MORNING, I'M LETICIA SANCHEZ, CO-CHAIR OF THE WEST SIDE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND I REPRESENTED OUR ASSOCIATION ON THE TOD TASK FORCE.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO MAKE UP THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VIA TRANSIT USERS. WE HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE RECOMMENDED ZONING.

STUDY AFTER STUDY HAS SHOWN THAT TOD ZONING CODES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES LEADING TO THE DISPLACEMENT OF RESIDENTS FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES. YET INSTEAD OF DELVING INTO THESE STUDIES, CITY STAFF HAS RUSHED THIS ZONING POLICY WITH NO TRUE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THROUGHOUT -- OUR RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED AS NON-SUPPORTERS OF TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT. WE'VE BEEN LECTURED TO THAT TOD IS CRITICAL TO, QUOTE, CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE ONE CAN LIVE, WORK AND PLAY OR BE JUST A TRANSIT RIGHT-OF-WAY FROM THIS. BUT THE QUESTION IF OUR RESIDENTS TO EACH OF YOU IS TOD COMMUNITIES FOR WHOM. IT ISN'T FOR OUR HADN'T WHO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DAILY AND WHOSE REQUESTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR YEARS. AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO REMEMBER A TIME WHEN ONE SINGLE BUS RIDE WOULD GET US TO DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO WHERE WE COULD GET TO OUR BANKS, EAT AT OUR LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS, SHOP AT RETAIL STORES ALONG COMMERCE AND HOUSTON STREETS AND ENJOY ENTERTAINMENT AT THEATERS LIKE THE AZTEC OR ALONG THE RIVERWALK. WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS OF THE WEST AND EAST SIDES AND DOWNTOWN ENJOYED WHAT IS NOW BEING LABELED AS TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITIES -- OR TRANSIT ORIENTED COMMUNITIES.

WE ENJOYED THEM DECADES FOR THE BECK AID OF DOWNTOWN PUSHED OUT OUT OF DOWNTOWN.

TOD ZONE WILL INVENTIVE RISE DEVELOPMENT YET THERE'S NO GUARANTEE ANY HOUSING ALONG THE ARTS WILL BE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE. THIS ZONING WITHOUT POLICY TO PROTECT LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES WILL LEAD TO THE DISPLACEMENT OF OUR RESIDENTS WHEN DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE SILVER LINE BINS TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES. YOU'VE RUSHED TO PUSH THROUGH THIS ZONING POLICY WITHOUT ENSURING THAT POLICIES AND NOT JUST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A SUBCOMMITTEE PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS FROM DISPLACEMENT, MOVE FORWARD JUST AS QUICKLY OR BEFORE THIS ZONING POLICY. YOU'VE ALSO DONE THIS WITHOUT TRUE COMMUNITY ENGAGE MANY. COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL AREAS OF THE CITY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THIS TASK FORCE INSTEAD OF HALF OF THE MEMBERSHIP BEING REPRESENTATIVES FROM DEVELOPERS AND BUSINESSES.

BECAUSE THIS ZONING WILL IMPACT COMMUNITIES ALLOT FUTURE AR TS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I FIND IT SHAPE FULL THERE WAS NOT ONE SINGLE AFRICAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS TASK FORCE. OUR ASSOCIATION ASKS BEFORE THIS TOD ZONING POLICY IS APPROVED THAT POLICY TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM DISPLACEMENT ALONG ARTS BE APPROVED. I HOPE YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND NOT JUST THE DEVELOPERS. WE SAW THAT SIDEBAR

CONVERSATION WITH CAT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. SANCHEZ. ISABELLA [INAUDIBLE]. ISABEL GALVAN.

[01:40:02]

YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JIM BAILEY. >> HI.

MY NAME IS ISABEL GALVAN. I'M A D1 RESIDENT, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND MEMBER OF PUEBLO OVER PROFIT, HERE TO EXPRESS UTMOST OPPOSITION AND REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL POSTPONE IF NOT DENY THE VOTE FOR ADOPTING THE TOD POLICY UNTIL MORE STUDYING STUDYING -- STUDIES ARE DONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE NEGATIVE AFFECTS THAT WILL COME OF IT. THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF LITERATURE THAT SHOWS TOD PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG ANTI-LAND SPECULATION POLICY WILL RESULT IN LAND SPECULATION AND ULTIMATELY DISPLACEMENT, UNATTAINABLE RENT INCREASES. THESE OFTEN PRIORITIZE PROFIT AND LUXURY HOUSING AND DO NOT PROTECT THE HOMES AND NEEDS OF LONG-STANDING RESIDENTS.

I'VE KNOCKED ON OVER 80 DOORS AND NOT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE HEARD OF TOD OR THE GREEN LINE. WE'VE KNOCKED ON THOUSANDS MORE ALONG THE SILVER LINE CORRIDOR WITH THE SAME RESPONSE. TODAY I ASK YOU TO HEAR US NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BUT BECAUSE WE ARE PLEADING. TO SUGGEST ONE YEAR IS ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE A DECISION IS INSULTING AND CLEARLY RUSHED AND IS ILL PLANNED AND WOULD BE ONE OF THE GREATEST MISTAKES OUR CITY HAS EVER MADE.

PLEASE RECONSIDER THE TRAJECTORY OF THIS VOTE UNTIL BETTER STEWED STUDIES IS MADE PART OF THE TOD POLICY. I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT MY

COUNCILWOMAN IS PRESENT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. GALVAN. JIM BAILEY. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY

ELAINA CAMRO. YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES. >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JIM BAILEY, 241 KING WILLIAM, JUST ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM THE GREEN LINE IN SOUTH TOWN. FIRST I'D LIKE TO THANK PARKER DIXON FROM TOBIN HILL FOR YIELDING HIS TIME TO ME. HE REPRESENTED TOBIN HILL ON THE TASK FORCE AND IS STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN AS PRESENTED BY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN ITEM 4. SO I'VE BEEN WORKING ON HOUSING POLICY AS A VOLUNTEER FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW.

I SERVED ON HOUSING COMMISSION 1.0 AND HAD THE HONOR OF BEING APPOINTED BY MAYOR NIRENBERG TO A FIVE-MEMBER HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE THAT ANALYZED SAN ANTONIO'S HOUSING ECOSYSTEM AND DEVELOPED OUR MOON SHOT HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK. THIS LED TO THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR WHICH I SAT ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE. BOTH PLANS RECOGNIZED THE INEXTRICABLE LINK BETWEEN HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATIONEN CALL ON US TO DEVELOP POLICY TO DO BETTER. FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS OR SO AT THE MAYOR'S BEE LEFT, I'VE CO-CHAIRED THE TASK FORCE AND SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CURRENT HOUSING COMMISSION. FOCUSING ON REG LAER TO BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN OUR CODES, ORDINANCES AND POLICIES. OVER THIS PERIOD WE CAME TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS SO MUCH TO UNTANGLE TO ALIGN TRANSPORTATION POLICY WITH HOUSING POLICIES THAT WE NEEDED AN ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS ON THE SCALE OF WHAT RESULTED IN THE HOUSING POLICY FRAMEWORK. THANKS FOR THE RECOGNITION OF THAT NEED BY YOU, THEIR AND COUNCIL, AND YOUR DIRECTION, WE'VE DONE JUST THAT. THE TOP FRAMEWORK YOU ARE CONSIDERING TODAY IS THE RESULT OF SUCH ANALYSIS BY CITY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS THROUGH REMOVING BARRIERS, THROUGH ANOTHER TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP AND A TASK FORCE FORMED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL'S CCR. THE TOP FRAMEWORK IS A SISTER POLICY AND FOUNDED IN EQUITY. TWO YEARS AGO MY COLLEAGUES AND I ON REMOVING BARRIERS BEGAN DEVELOPING A POLICY TOOL KIT THAT UNDERSTANDS DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESSES THEY SERVE OFTEN HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND PRESENT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES OR CHALLENGES. IN SOME PLACES LIKE SAN~PEDRO, WE HAVE A LOT OF LAND RIPE FOR INCEPTION OF NEW HIGHER DENSITY HOUSES. PLACES LIKE THE NEAR WEST SIDE HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES AND NEED GREATER DISPLACEMENT PROTECTION AND INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY BASED INITIATIVES. THE TOP FRAMEWORK TELLS US HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO OUR COMMUNITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN A

[01:45:05]

PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. BAILEY.

ELAINA CAMAYO. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY WILLIAM LONG.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ELAINA [INAUDIBLE] AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE VP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AT A FAMILY-OWNED ENGINEERING SMALL BUSINESS HEADQUARTERED IN SAN ANTONIO FOR OVER 40 YEARS IN DISTRICT 7. I AM A MEMBER OF THE TOD TASK FORCE WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OF 1969, COMMUNITY COHESION AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. SAN ANTONIO STANDS AT THE CROSSROADS OF OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE OUR IDENTITY AS A WORLD-CLASS CITY.

TOGETHER WITH VIA'S PROPOSED RAPIDNESS FROM IT SYSTEM, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO OFFER SMART GROWTH WITH MULTIMODAL OPTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY BUT NEED TO APPROACH IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY. NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION IS A TOP GOAL AND WE ALSO NEED TO PLAN AND BE FLEXIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE EXPECTED GROWTH. THE TASK FORCE WAS OPEN AND INCLUSIVE. ALL MEMBERS INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP, REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS, NON-PROFIT GROUPS AND PLANNERS LIKE ME HAD LONG AND MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TOD RECOMMENDATIONS SUCH AS PARKING REQUIREMENTS, HOUSING SCALE BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES, TOD DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AND COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENTS. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC WERE ALL PRESENTED IN A TIMELY FASHION TO THE TOD TASK FORCE AND ALL WERE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE TOD RECOMMENDATIONS AS RECOMMENDED WILL BALANCE THE PROTECTION OF NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION OKAY INDICATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED BY THE ENTIRETY OF THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY.

WE CAN PROTECT THE HUMAN AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WHILE MAKING OUR COMMUNITY STRONG.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.

WILLIAM LONG. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ERIC SANDEN.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I SECOND EVERYTHING MS. CAMARO MENTIONED AS I WAS HER ALTERNATE ON THE COMMITTEE.

I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU LESS TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE. I'M PROUD TO SAY THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SPEAKING TO YOU ALL EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN UP HERE FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. I GREW UP AT -- WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF SAN~PEDRO AND ALTAVISTA. WE'VE FIVE HOMES WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF SAN~PEDRO WITHIN ALTAVISTA AND WE WOULD LIKE A MORE WALKABLE COMMUNITY. WE SUPPORT THE TOD EFFORTS AS RENTED AND VIA'S ART AS WELL. I HAD A SPLIT HOME AS A YOUTH AND SO I GREW UP ALSO IN HARMONY HILLS AS WELL AS ALTAVISTA AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FEEL MISREPRESENTED BY THE HOAS, WITHIN ALTAVISTA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE -- FOR ONE, WE -- IN MY LIFE TIME WE HAVEN'T ATTENDED THOSE MEETINGS. THEY HAD 60 ACTIVE MEMBERS, 6% OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN ALTAVISTA. DON'T LET THAT 6% OF NAYSAYERS SPEAK FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO DO FOR US AND FOR OUR FUTURE. AND LASTLY, I REALLY HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY YOU ALL, SPECIALLY THIS SPECIFIC COUNCIL. I WILL BE COMING TO YOU IN THE FUTURE TO DISCUSS IS THAT BUT I FEEL IT'S CONNECTED TO THIS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR WALKABLE COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE WITH A MULTIMODAL VIEWPOINT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. LONG. ERIC SANDEN.

[01:50:01]

YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PATRICK VONN DOLEN. >> THIS YEAR I SAT ON THE TOD TASK FORCE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF SHEER HILLS RIDGEVIEW.

WE'RE A LARGE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 5200 HOUSES THAT GO ALONG THE SAN~PEDRO CORRIDOR.

THE 26-MEMBER TASK FORCE WAS COMPOSED OF A WIDE SECTION OF CITIZENS INCLUDING SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOOD REPRESENTATIVES AND TRAFFIC EXPERTS.

THE PLAN YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU WAS HAMMERED OUT THROUGH A LONG PROCESS OF LIVELY DEBATE, AMENDMENTS AND COMPROMISE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR WE HEARD MUCH PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PLAN CREATES INCENTIVES FOR THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESSES THAT MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS THIRSTY FOR.

IT WILL REDUCE THE HEAT EYE PLANT EFFECT, REDUCE TRAFFIC --, CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ENABLE QUICKER RESPONSE TIMES FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

WHO WOULDN'T WANT THAT? I URGE CITY COUNCIL TO PLEASE ACCEPT THE TOD FRAMEWORK AS PROPOSED. WE ORIGINALLY VOTED TO ABOLISH PARKING MINIMUMS FOR GOOD REASON. THIS DOESN'T ABOLISH PORING BUT LEAVES IT TO THE FREE MARKET TO SHAPE HOW MUCH PARKING GETS BUILT. SIMPLY PUT, DEVELOPERS WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD PARKING BUT WILL NOT BE SHACKLED WITH UNNECESSARY MINIMUMS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED IN THE 1960S OVER 50 YEARS AGO. THAT SIMPLE TOOL IS ESSENTIAL FOR MAKING A VIBRANT, SUCCESSFUL TOD. I ASK YOU TO FOLLOW THE CONSIDERED ADVICE OF THE TASK FORCE AND THE TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS AND

ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL AS PROPOSED. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. SANDEN. PATRICK VONN DOLEN. JEFF HUNT.

MR. HUNT, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS JEFF HUNT. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROOSEVELT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. ADDRESS 121 LORETTA PLACE. THE MEMBERS OF THE ROOSEVELT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SINCERELY URGE YOU TO APPROVE THE CURRENT PROPOSED TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND BOUNDARY MAPS.

ROOSEVELT PARK IS THE ONLY DISTRICT 5 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WHOSE BOUNDARIES ARE IN ENTIRELY WITHIN THE GREEN LINE WALK SHED. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE IT WILL HAVE A VERY POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT ON THE TWO CORRIDORS OF ROOSEVELT AVENUE AND SOUTH PRESA STREET IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE REVITALIZATION OF THE ROOSEVELT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD. AS A MEMBER OF THE TOD TASK FORCE, I CAN ATTEST AS WELL THAT WE CONSIDERED ALL ASPECTS OF A SUCCESSFUL TOD PLAN WITH ROBUST AND THOROUGH DISCUSSION AND DEBATE. CAT HERNANDEZ WAS OUTSTANDING IN HER STEWARDSHIP OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

SHE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COLLABORATE WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS ON THE COMMITTEE SUCH AS BUSINESS OWNERS, NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS AND CITY STAFF.

WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS NEEDED MORE DATA AND DETAIL REGARDING ZONING POLICY, MS. HEA SUBCOMMITTEE JUST FOR THAT PURPOSE.

THEREFORE SHE AND HER CITY STAFF ALONG WITH NEIGHBORHOOD STAKEHOLDERS THAT INCLUDED LAST MONTHS. AND WE REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE DEVELOPMENT.

I WOULD SAY THAT OUR MEMBERS, I KEPT THEM AWARE OF EVERYTHING IN THE TOD FOR THE LAST TEN MONTHS AND OUR MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT THOSE STEPS OF THE PROCESS OF TOD. IT WILL REVITALIZE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESSES AND I REALLY APPRECIATE AN APPROVAL VOTE.

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

JACK FINGER. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY EDDIE ROMERO. &-ÚR MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, THIS TRANSIT ORIENTED DISTRICT IS A GIGANTIC LAND GRAB.

A GIGANTIC POWER GRAB, MR. WHYTE. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO

[01:55:05]

KSAT TV LAST MONTH BROADCAST A NUMBER OF CITIZENS' ANGER AT ONE OF THESE MEETINGS.

WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE, KSAT AND WHY IS IT UNPOPULAR. BUT IT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.

FLIP THE PAGE, IF YOU WOULD. LOOK AT THE UNDERLINED AREA. IT SAYS IAN MCGINTY SHOOK HER HEAD AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING. THIS MEETING TONIGHT WAS AN INSULT TO THE TAXPAYERS' INTELLIGENCE. THE FORUM WAS HELD TO DISCUSS THE TRANSIT ORIENTED POLICY. SCROLL DOWN A BIT THERE.

THE MEETING ENDED WITH WALKOUT FROM ABOUT A DOZEN RESIDENTS LIKE DENISE GUTIERREZ HOMER. WE ARE LOOKING AT A SITUATION THAT'S VERY DISINGENUOUS FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND THE OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE MAJOR PART OF THE CITY GOING. DO YOU REALIZE THE LANES THAT THE BUSES ARE GOING IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET?

HOW CAN BUS RIDERS GET TO THEM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU. EDDIE ROMERO. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS. I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING CENTRAL SAN ANTONIO.

I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ITEM 4, THE ADOPTION OF THE TOD POLICY FRAMEWORK AND THE PROPOSED UDC AMENDMENTS AS PROPOSED. TOD IS DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME. IT STARTS WITH MY MOM WHO TODAY HAPPENS TO BE HER BIRTHDAY. SHE WAS VERY YOUNG WHEN SHE HAD ME, THERE'S A PHOTO RECEIVING HER DIPLOMA SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT WITH ME.

MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED FIVE HOUSES DOWN. LOTS OF LOVE, LOTS OF FAMILY FORUM. BUT AT THE AGE OF 5, WE MOVED TO THE NORTH SIDE OFF BROADWAY AND BITTERS IN AN APARTMENT WITH MY DAD. AND THE APARTMENT BECAME HOME, HAD A SWIMMING POOL, CENTRAL AC, REGENY PLACE ELEMENTARY WAS ACROSSIST STREET WITH A PLAYGROUND. MOST IMPORTANTLY THERE WAS A VIA BUS STOP AT THE CORNER.

MY MOM DIDN'T HAVE A CAR. THAT BUS STOP WAS A CONNECTION TO OUR FAMILY.

IT TOOK MY MOM AND ME TO SEE MY GRANDPARENTS AND COUSINS. THOUGH IT'S HARDER FOR ME TO SAY, IT GAVE ME M MOM AND ME A WAY TO SAFETY. MY DAD WAS ABUSIVE AND THAT BUS STOP WAS OUR ONLY WAY TO A SAFE PLACE. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE EXPERIENCES THAT TOD MATTERS TO ME AND I PROUDLY SERVED ON THE TASK FORCE. WITH YOUR SUPPORT TODAY, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTION, STABILITY AND SAFETY FOR PEOPLE ACROSS OUR

CITY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. ROMERO. ALL RIGHT. THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 4. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO DID COME OUT TO SPEAK AS WELL AS EVERYONE WHO IS HERE IN THE CHAMBERS FOR YOUR ORDER AND EVERYONE COULD BE HEARD TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN OUR COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW. WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE HAVE THIS JOKE WHO IS TODD AND WHY DOES EVERYONE HATE TODD. AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE OOMS THAT CAME OUT TO SPEAK, MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE FROM DISTRICT 1. YOUR VOICES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT SO WE APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS. WE'RE TASKED WITH A VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TODAY. WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT DO WE WANT SAN ANTONIO TO LOOK LIKE IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS AND HOW DO WE DO THAT WHILE STILL PRESERVING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE AND I PUT OUT THE CCR, THE GOAL WAS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO CREATING DEVELOPMENT AROUND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

FOR THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO BE USING PUBLIC TRANSIT. THE IMPORTANT PART ABOUT ELIMINATING BARRIERS THE MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT PUTTING REQUIREMENTS INTO PLACE THAT WILL PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING THE LITTLE LAND THAT'S THERE AT

[02:00:03]

IF WE DON'T DO ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DISPLAYS RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND URBAN CORE. I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO THE TASK FORCE WHO WAS BEEN WORKING FOR OVER A YEAR.

THERE ARE 26 MEMBERS THAT PUT IN A LOT OF HOURS. A LOT OF OUR STAFF WERE AT EACH OF THOSE MEETINGS AND THOSE MEETINGS WERE LONG AND GOOD CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM SUGAR HILLS, ALTAVISTA, LAVACA.

A LOT OF FOLKS AROUND THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT MAPS WERE INCLUDED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THIS CONVERSATION STARTED.

BASED ON THE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS RECEIVED. THE FIRST THING THAT WE HEARD WERE THE MAPS HAVE TO BE VERY CLEARLY DEFINED AS TO EXACTLY WHICH LOTS WOULD BE INCLUDED. THIS ALLOWS FOR A RESIDENT TO KNOW ON MY STREET THIS IS THE ONLY POTENTIAL LOT THAT COULD HAVE A TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT LAND USE. SO THOSE MAPS WERE VERY DILIGENTLY WORKED ON IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T A MID-BLOCK LOT INCLUDED THAT COULD AFFECT SOMEONE LIVING IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME NEXT DOOR. THE SECOND THING WE HEARD IS HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

STRATEGY CALLED THE WEDDING CAKE APPROACH THAT WAS PUT IN TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS ENOUGH SETBACK FROM EACH SINGLE-FAMILY LOT INCLUDED IN THE POLICY.

ANOTHER THING WE HEARD WAS THAT SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IN -- LOTS, EXCUSE ME, AND THE CRAG WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE POLICY. THE LAST THING WE HEARD, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT, HOW DO WE PRESERVE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. NOT BY EXCLUDING PEOPLE BUT BY MAKING SURE THE WAY THE BUILDING LOOKS IS IN COHERENCE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORICALLY.

WHAT WAS INCLUDED WAS AN HISTORIC OVERLAY. IF THERE IS A LOT DEVELOPED IN AN HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF HDRC AND OHP FOR THAT HISTORIC LOT. THE HISTORIC LOT -- THE HISTORIC KIRK STICKS IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL YOU HAVE TO MEET. THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THAT'S HOW YOU TRULY PRESERVE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT TAKES US TO THE BIG CONVERSATION TODAY WHICH IS PARKING.

I REALLY THINK THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATTERS.

AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MATTERS IN TERMS OF HOW WE DO IT AND HOW WE MAKE SURE WE LISTEN TO ALL THE PERSPECTIVES THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT AND SPOKE HERE AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT SPOKE AT ZONING COMMISSION.

WE DID AN ANALYSIS OF ALL THE CALLS THAT WERE MADE TO ZONING COMMISSION AND WHILE THE ADDRESSES WEREN'T INCLUDED FOR EVERYONE, WE WERE ABLE TO MATCH THEM TO OUR SYSTEM TO SEE WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS THEY WERE COMING FROM, THOSE CALLS WERE COMING FROM. WHAT WE FOUND OUT, THERE WERE CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WEREN'T FULLY REPRESENTED AND SOME INCLUDED EDISON AND NORTH MORE. OUR STAFF BLOCK WALKED THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND SAN~PEDRO, SPECIFICALLY THOSE TWO AND THERE'S A LOT OF SPANISH SPEAKERS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. WHAT WE HEARD AND IT WAS SHARED TODAY, SOME OF THOSE VOICE WERE NECESSARILY INCLUDED IN THE TOD PROCESS. BUT WHAT WE ACTUALLY FOUND WAS THEY WERE EXCITED. THEY USE PUBLIC TRANSIT AND WANTED TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS MORE HOUSING UP AND DO YOU KNOW SAN~PEDRO THAT'S AFFORDABLE.

RIGHT NOW IF YOU ARE A SINGLE MOM AND WANT TO LIVE IN ALTAVISTA OR BEACON HILL IT'S NOT ACCESSIBLE, OR EVEN FURTHER NORTH. MAKING SURE THE HOUSING WE ARE DEVELOPING IS FOR THOSE FOLKS. WE ALSO RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH THE FOLKS AT ROBERT EMT LEE. THE REASON WHY THESE APARTMENT COMPLEXES ARE SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE AROUND TRANSIT.

FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A CAR THAT NEED FOR ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, NEED SPACES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND, AGAIN, ALIGNED TO TRANSIT.

SO I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING. NO PARKING REQUIREMENTS TODAY DOESN'T MEAN THAT DEVELOPERS WILL NOT PUT PARKING IN THEIR DEVELOPMENTS. IT JUST MEANS THAT THEY GET TO CLEARLY DECIDE WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT. THAT ALLOWS FOR SMALLER LOTS WHICH IS WHAT'S A LOT

[02:05:04]

IF YOU WANT TO DO A TWO OR FOUR-UNIT DEVELOPMENT, YOU CAN DO SO.

AND SO WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT ANY FUTURE -- THIS IS NOT A BUY-RIGHT ZONING CHANGE. ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT HAS TO COME BACK TO THIS BODY TO BE APPROVED. WHETHER THEY SAY ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING FOR UNIT LOT OR THEY STILL DO THE MINIMUM THAT'S REQUIRED TODAY, WE STILL GET TO APPROVE THAT.

AND IN THAT PROCESS, NEIGHBORHOODS STILL GET TO MEET WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND SAY YES WE AGREE OR NO WE DON'T. THIS VOTE DOES NOT MAKE THAT DECISION FINAL. THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING THAT IS TO MAKE SURE WE SHARE IS THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP. I HEARD A LOT ABOUT FOLKS THAT FELT LIKE THIS POLICY IS NOT ACTUALLY BUILT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AGAIN, THE CITY ACTUALLY APPLIED FOR A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANT LAND BANK UP AND DOWN SAN~PEDRO, JUST $10 MILLION SO WE CAN LAND BANK TO ASSURE THOSE LOTS BECOME AFFORDABLE. IF WE DON'T GET AHEAD OF THAT, THE DEVELOPERS WILL ESSENTIALLY BUILD MARKET RATE. THAT'S THE NEXT STEP AND PART OF THAT IS ALSO THE TOD TIRZ THAT THE CITY IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE CREATE.

ANOTHER TOOL FOR US TO ENSURE THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING GETS DEVELOPED.

SO YES, THIS IS NOT TODAY SAYING ALL OF THESE LOTS WILL BE MARKET OR ALL OF THESE LOTS WILL BE AFFORDABLE, BUT IT'S THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING THAT PROCESS POSSIBLE. SO -- AND THERE ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF LOTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED WHICH IS THE 425 SAN~PEDRO LOT AND MARKSON.

BOTH AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. WE ALL TALK ABOUT THE PEARL AND HOW GREAT THE PEARL IS FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WALK AND BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE GROCERY STORE AND RESTAURANTS AND FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENUES, BUT THE PEARL IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE TO A CERTAIN POPULATION OF PEOPLE.

AND FOR THE MAJORITY, THEY EVEN MAKE YOU PAY FOR PORING NOW SO YOU REALLY CAN'T ACCESS IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS FRAMEWORK THAT WE WILL HOPEFULLY APPROVE TODAY WILL BE THE FIRST STEP IN MAKING SURE WE CAN RE-CREATE THAT THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND PARTICULARLY IN THE HEART OF THE URBAN CORE. LIKE WAS SHOWN LAST WEEK AT THE RFP THAT WAS RELEASED, THE TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT CAN ACCESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A SINGLE MOM WORKING AS A TEACHER CAN HAVE A FIREFIGHTER UNIT IN A TOD MX ZONED DEVELOPMENT AND WALK HER KIDS OR BIKE WITH THE BIKE PLAN COMING FORWARD TO, THAT FAMILY WITH ACCESS THE HEART OF THE CITY JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE COULD THAT HAS THE MEANS TO DO SO.

I THINK THAT'S THE VISION WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON HERE TODAY. THANKS, MAYOR.

I DO NEED TO MAKE A MOTION. WITH THAT I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 4 INCLUDING THE ADOPTION OF THE FRAMEWORK, UPDATES TO CHAPTER 35 AND 28 AND THE

TOD AREA BOUNDARY MAPS. >> VIAGRAN: SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND THANKS TO CITY STAFF, NEIGHBORHOOD AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND PLANNING TEAM FOR YOU ALL ENSURING COUNCIL WAS BROUGHT UP TO SPEED ON THE CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE OUT IN COMMUNITY AND MY STAFF WHO WERE PRESENT AT EVERY ONE OF THE MEETINGS TO ENSURE I WAS WELL EQUIPPED WITH THE DISCUSSION AND DEBATE.

NOT ONLY TO THE PUBLIC WHO GAVE COMMENT TODAY BUT THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK LETTIE SANCHEZ AND BRITTNEY FOR SERVING AS APPOINTEES TO TRANSIT ORIENTED COMMITTEE ENSURING DISTRICT 5 HAD REPRESENTATION. WHAT WE'RE HEARING TODAY IS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF PERSPECTIVES OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING TODAY. ONE THING THAT RESONATES WITH ME WHICH IS THE CITING OF THE LITERATURES THIS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES. UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF SMARTER GROWTH IN COMMUNITIES. ESSENTIALLY THIS BOOK IS A BOOK OF CASE STUDIES OF TOD THROUGHOUT CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. NOT ONLY DOES IT HIGHLIGHT THE IMPACTS THIS CAN HAVE, BUT ALSO PROVIDES SOLUTIONS ON WHAT'S MISSING.

WHY IS THIS DETRIMENTAL TO ESTABLISHED WORKING COMMUNITIES.

WHAT THEY FOUND IS IT'S OFTENTIMES BECAUSE THESE MUNICIPALITIES DO NOT HAVE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS, THERE AREN'T ANTI-DISPLACEMENT IMPACT TOOL, THERE AREN'T LAND BANKING AND THEY AREN'T INVESTING IN

[02:10:09]

BUT ULTIMATELY I THINK WHAT THOSE LISTS I LAID OUT DEMONSTRATES CITY STAFF IS PRIORITIZING MITIGATING RISKS AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT STRATEGIES.

FOLKS IN PUBLIC COMMENT GAVE EXAMPLES OF WHERE THIS COUNCIL HAS BACKTRACKED ON THOSE GOALS AND PRIORITIES, BUT ULTIMATELY THAT'S UP TO THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THEIR ELECTED ACCOUNTABLE FOR BACKTRACKING ON COMMITMENT TO HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH CAT AND VERONICA GARCIA RAN TODAY TO CHECK IN AND PROVIDE WITH A RECAP OF THE CONVERSATION AT THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND VERONICA, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WHAT WAS THE COMMITMENT FROM THE HOUSING COMMISSION AND THEIR

ULTIMATE RECOMMENDATION WITH THIS POLICY. >> YES, THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. VERONICA GARCIA VERONICA VERONICA GARCIA.

HAD TWO COMMON THEMES. ONE A LOT OF CONCERNS WANTING TO ENSURE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONG THE LINE WERE NOT DISPLACED AND THERE WAS PRESERVATION OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE ALREADY HAVE. AND ALSO HOW CAN WE REMOVE BARRIERS TO ENSURE THAT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL AS DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES ARE BUILT ALONG THE LINE. THEY DID APPROVE THE POLICY FRAMEWORK AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE. BUT THEY ALSO DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASPECTS YET TO COME. THE TIME LINE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO FULLY FLESH OUT THOSE POLICIES SO THEY DID CONTINUE TO COMMIT AND COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ONIST CCR THE COUNCILWOMAN REPRESENTED ON BONUS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS THROUGH THE 2027 UDC

DEVELOPMENT CODE WHAT OTHER BARRIERS ARE OUT THERE. >> CASTILLO: I SHARE THE SENTIMENT THIS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, BUT I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF HAS PUT FORTH AND ENSURE THE COMMUNITIES WHO CURRENTLY RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RELY AREAS ALONG THE TOD LINE GET TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AND WORK AND ENJOY AND PLAY IN THESE AREAS.

AND I WANT TO ASSURE COMMUNITY WE ARE WORKING ON THOSE PIECES TO MOVE THEM FORWARD TO ENSURE EVERYONE GETS TO ENJOY LIVING ALONG THE SILVER AND GREEN LINE.

BUT ONE THING I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, WHILE WE ARE TAKING THIS WORK, ONE THING WE NEED TO DO AND I HOPE TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM COLLEAGUES IS WE MUST INVEST IN HOUSING NOW. I KNOW WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE 2027 BOND, BUT I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE THE TIME TO WAIT.

ENSURING WE INVEST NOW. THE RFPS ARE STILL GOING OUT AND MY CONCERN IS WE APPROVE A 2027 BOND AND WE'RE IN 2032 BEFORE WE'RE MAKING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS IN DEEPLY AFFORDABILITY IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST WHICH IS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. INVESTING IN HOUSING NOW, EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCELERATE A HOUSING BOND OR WHATEVER THE MECHANISM TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MEETING THE CONCERNS OF TODAY AND MEETING -- ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO GAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WANTED TO ENSURE ERIN HIGHLIGHTED SOMETHING FROM HUD, THE ANTI-DISPLACEMENT TOOL.

WITHIN CASE STUDIES WHERE THERE ARE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, THAT'S ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS. I'M GRATEFUL COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ ISSUED A POLICY AND NOW WE HAVE THAT TOOL. JUST HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT WE ARE WORKING ON THESE PIECES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED BASED OFF OF HOW THIS FAILED IN OTHER CITIES. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS AND ULTIMATELY I HEAR THE CONCERNS ABOUT PARKING, HOWEVER I FEEL THAT RUNS IN CONFLICT WITH WHAT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS. ITS OWN SURING WE HAVE LESS CARS ON THE ROAD AND IN MY COMMUNITY THE MAJORITY OF OUR FOLKS DO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT ALREADY. AND IT KIND OF CONTRADICTS THE WHOLE GOAL IF WE'RE MOVING WADE FROM TOD TO -- AWAY FROM TOD TO MORE PARKING.

[02:15:01]

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

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANKS, CAT, FOR ALL YOUR WORK LEADING TO THIS EFFORT.

THANK YOU TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

I KNOW THERE WERE SO MANY MEETINGS, LATE NIGHTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENGAGE MANY. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TODAY TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. IT WAS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT.

THIS IS A STEP TOWARDS ENSURING OUR CITY CAN GROW INTO A ■SAFER,MOREWALKABLE CITY. I LIVED IN CHICAGO FIVE YEARS AND DIDN'T OWN A CAR AND IT WAS WONDERFUL AND I WANT THAT FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS, NEIGHBORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, I BELIEVE THERE'S A WAY TO IMPLEMENT TOD THAT IS RESPECTABLE TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR PARKING CONCERNS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TOD COMES TO ZARZAMORA AND FREDERICKSBURG, NEIGHBORS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT PARKING ON THE STREET.

YOU ARE TRYING TO SWERVE AROUND COURSE THROUGH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, IT'S A PROBLEM. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE PARKING SECTION.

I'M GOING TO LIST OUT THE BOLD POINTS. ALLOW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT MEET THE UDC DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE EXEMPT FROM PARKING REQUIREMENTS. WITHIN THE NX3 AND 6 LOWER. AND EXEMPTION WHERE THERE IS A REUSE OF AN EXISTING STRUCTURE IF THE PROPERTY IS 10,000 SQUARE FEET OR LESS AND ALLOW FOR COOPERATE I HAVE PARKING AGREEMENTS WITHIN HALF A MILE. FANALLY, REQUIRE SPECIFIC

USE FOR PARKING GARAGES WITHIN MX DISTRICTS. >> SECOND.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE MAIN MOTION. GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO, BUT I'M

GOING TO ASK TO YOU READ IT AFTER YOU CLOSE COMMENTS. >> GAVITO: WHAT THESE AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSING WILL SOLVE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS' CONCERNS OF PARKING ALONG THEIR STREETS. WHEN CARS ARE PARKED ON BOTH SIDES OF INNERCITY NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS, IT'S HARD TO GET YOUR CAR THROUGH.

LET ALONE A FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLE. THESE ARE REAL CONCERNS THAT WE FACE DAILY. AND I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR. THIS AMENDMENT IS NOT TO BE DISMISS OR IGNORE ALL OF THE COMMITTEE'S WORK. I THINK THE TOD COMMITTEE'S WORK GOT US HERE IN A REALLY, REALLY GOOD PLACE. RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST TWEAKING. I DO ALSO HAVE TO NOTE THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHEN I HEAR MY NEIGHBORS' CONCERNS, PART OF MY JOB IS TO FIND A WORKABLE SOLUTION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TODAY. I ALSO DO WANT TO KEEP IN MIND THESE REQUIREMENTS CAN BE AMENDED OR REDUCED DOWN THE LINE WHEN WE HAVE GOOD SATURATION FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. YOU KNOW, I CITED LIVING IN CHICAGO. THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAD AN AMAZING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. I SERVED ON THE VIA BOARD. WE'RE JUST NOT THERE YET IN SAN ANTONIO. WE'RE GETTING THERE, BUT WE STILL NEED MORE TIME TO GET THERE. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANKS.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. IF I COULD ASK YOU AGAIN TO READ THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION. ANDY, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO GET IT ON THE SCREEN SO PEOPLE KNOW

BEFORE THE MAIN MOTION. >> GAVITO: DO WE NEED ONE OF MY TEAM MEMBERS --

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SIMPLY REPEAT THE MOTION. >> SEGOVIA: GET IT ON THE

SCREEN. >> GAVITO: TO ALLOW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT MEET THE UDC DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE EXEMPT FROM PARKING REQUIREMENTS. WITHIN THE MX3 AND 6 DISTRICTS ALLOW COMPLIANCE WITH 50% OR 33RD PERCENTILE, WHICHEVER IS LOWER.

A AN EXCEPTION WHEN THERE IS REUSE -- EXEMPTION HAVE PARKING AGREEMENTS WITHIN HALF A MILE. AND FINALLY, REQUIRE A SPECIFIC USE AUTHORIZATION FOR PARKING GARAGES WITHIN MX DISTRICTS.

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

WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH THE MAIN DISCUSSION AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE SEPARATE VOTES ON THE AMENDMENT AND THE MAIN MOTION. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH

COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: THANK YOU. SO THE TOD -- I KNOW IT'S

[02:20:05]

AND MANY OF YOU KNOW, I'M A STUDENT OF HOW OTHER CITIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE SOLVING OLD PROBLEMS WITH NEW SOLUTIONS. TOD IS NOT SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN EMBRACED BY CITIES LIKE BOGOTA, DENVER, SINGPORE, DENVER, CINCINNATI, SEOUL, MADRID, AND WHERE THEY'VE DONE THIS IT WORKS. THEY'VE POSITIVELY TRANSFORMED CONGESTED CORRIDORS AND THEY ARE MAXIMIZING LANDS USE AROUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND THOSE TRANSIT HUBS. AND SO I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT A CITY THAT DOESN'T PROACTIVELY PLAN IS A CITY THAT HAS TO SPEND MORE TIME AND MONEY LATER TO REACT.

AND REACTING ISN'T A PLAN AND NOT LEADERSHIP. SO I THINK THIS TOD IS A REALLY BOLD POLICY AND I'M PROUD OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE, CAT, AND PROUD OF THE WORK THE 26 PEOPLE HAVE DONE WHO AUTHORED THIS PLAN. IT'S A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

AND IT'S A FUTURE CHARACTERIZED BY EXPLOSIVE POPULATION GROWTH.

IT'S A FUTURE CHARACTERIZED BY THE NEED FOR BETTER AND MORE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NOT JUST NEW NEIGHBORHOODS BUT FOR OUR LEGACY NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT'S A FUTURE BUILT AROUND -- IT'S A PLAN BUILT AROUND HIGHER EDUCATION EXPANSION, THE CHANGING NATURE OF WORK, EXTREME CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE NEED TO PROTECT SAN ANTONIO'S AUTHENTICITY, AND WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE PLAN, IT PHYSICALLY AND CONCEPTUALLY CONNECTS. THE DIVERSE ECONOMIC NODES IN SAN ANTONIO, THE NEIGHBORHOODS, TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES EXISTING AND FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS AND OUR EDUCATION -- YOU KNOW, INSTITUTIONS.

LARGE EMPLOYERS. ARTS AND CULTURES ATTRACTIONS AND OPEN SPACES.

THIS IS REALLY THOUGHTFUL AND REALLY ELEGANT. BUT WHAT I ADMIRE MOST ABOUT THE PLAN IS IT WAS A PLAN DRAFTED BY THE COMMUNITY. AND CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE CLAIMED, THEY THINK THIS WAS A PLAN DEVELOPED BY -- WHAT IS I HEARD, BILLIONAIRE DEVELOPERS. AND I'M HOPING WHAT THEY TAKE AWAY FROM THIS MEETING THAT IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE. THIS IS A PLAN WHOLLY OWNED BY NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND TEACHERS AND I'M LOOKING AT THE LIST WHO SERVED ON THIS COMMITTEE, TEACHERS AND CLIMATE ACTION THOUGHT LEADERS AND HOUSING ARCHITECTS AND PARENTS AND BUS RIDERS AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM WORKING CLASS SAN ANTONIANS WHICH ALL WANT LESS CONGESTION, CLEANER AIR, STREETS THAT GET ME FROM A TO B QUICKER THAN NOT. I WONDER AND THIS IS AN INFORMAL POLL, I HAVEN'T BEEN APPROACHED BY A BILLIONAIRE ABOUT THIS, NOT A SINGLE PAID LOBBYIST HAS COME TO TALK TO US ABOUT THIS. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HASN'T TALKED TO US ABOUT THIS. THIS IS DRIVEN BY NEIGHBORHOOD OPINIONS. THE OLD RULE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, IF THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE DEMANDING THIS, YOU DO IT. WHAT I'M PROUD ABOUT THIS COUNCIL, THIS COUNCIL HAS DONE THE WORK OF STANDING UP FOR NEIGHBORHOODS EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO NOT LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND JUST SAY NAH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE IT SOUNDS COMPLICATED, COMPLEX OR BECAUSE I READ SOMETHING BAD ABOUT IT ON THE INTERNET.

I REALLY WANT TO CALL OUT SOME SPECIFIC PEOPLE. THANK YOU TO THE ROOSEVELT PARK NEIGHBORHOODS, THE TOBIN NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, YOU WANT IT, YOU GOT IT. THANK YOU TO LELA POWELL. THERE'S NO TWO HUMAN BEINGS I TRUST MORE WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING 'NEIGHBORHOODS. I DID HEAR SOMETHING DISTURBING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DISCUSS IT. I HEARD THAT THERE WAS NOBODY -- THERE WAS NOBODY FROM THE HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS WHO WAS

[02:25:04]

WE HAVE A SMART PERSON NAMED NICKIE JOHNSON STANDING UP FOR THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> SERVED ON THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP AND DAVID ROBINSON, JR.

>> PELÁEZ: THANKS FOR REPRESENTING YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU GOT MY SUPPORT. THIS IS FANTASTIC. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

SO WHAT I'M HEARING IN TERMS OF THE PARKING, THAT IS GOING TO COME AND COUNCILMEMBER KAUR AS THEY GO THROUGH ZONING WITH THEIR PROJECTS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DISCUSS PARKING AND WHAT -- PARKING SOME OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, MIXED USE AND

AFFORDABLE WILL EMPLOY, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

IF APPROVED WITH NO PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN THE MX DISTRICT, THAT PROCESS JUST YOU MEAN DATES THE CODE. -- UPDATES THE CODE. THEY WILL HAVE TO COME HERE IN ORDER TO REQUEST THAT. THERE WILL BE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROJECT. THE PRIORITIES, AND I'M GLAD SOMEONE BROUGHT UP THE MARKSON AND I WAS ABLE TO VISIT THAT SPACE, WE ARE TRULY LOOKING FOR WORKING FAMILY HOUSING, RETIRED PERSON HOUSING THAT FITS WITHIN THEIR BUDGET ALONG A CORRIDOR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY WANT TO STAY IN. AND, YOU KNOW, BEING THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 3, I SEE THE RISING COSTS. I SEE HOW ESSENTIAL WHEN RETIRED PERSONS CAN'T USE THEIR CARS ANYMORE NEED THAT --, THE BUS AND NEED THAT TRANSPORTATION. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

CAT, IS THERE CONVERSATION ON POSSIBLY THE DEVELOPMENTS AND DEFINITELY WITH THE TRANSIT ORIENT PROVIDING WI-FI ACCESS THAT GOES A LITTLE PAST THE LINE, LIKE A

FREE WI-FI OR PUBLIC WI-FI, HAVE WE DISCUSSED THAT YET? >> THERE IS GOING TO BE WI-FI ON THE ACTUAL BUS, BUT THERE WAS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE UTILIZE SOME DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE CORRIDOR TO PROVIDE FREE WI-FI.

THE CITY HAS DONE THAT SEVERAL YEARS PAST INITIALLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN WE LOCATED SOME SATELLITES ALONG SCHOOL -- SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT FREE WI-FI ACCESS. WHAT WE SAID IS WE COULD EXPLORE THAT DURING PHASE 2 TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF THAT.

>> VIAGRAN: AND I REALLY LIKE TO PRIORITIZE THAT IN PHASE 2 THAT WE LOOK AT THAT. THE OTHER THING AND THIS WILL BE A CONVERSATION FOR LATER -- AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL QUOTE ME, BUT I DON'T LIKE AMENDMENTS FROM THE DAIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DEAL WITH POLICY THAT I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT. AND THE POLICY IN TERMS OF PARKING AND ERIK KNOWS THIS, THE THE CITY STAFF KNOWS THIS, THIS IS BIG PICTURE FOR OUR AREA IS HOW WE GET OUR COMMUNITIES TO PARK. I THINK THAT'S A POLICY CONVERSATION WE NEED TO START HAVING IN TERMS OF WHAT FITS WHERE, IN TERMS OF GARAGES, SURFACE LOTS, HOW DO WE SECURE THEM. SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION LATER.

THE OTHER THING IS INTEGRATING, AND I SAY THIS A LOT, TECHNOLOGY INTO PARKING. BUT I ALSO WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT LOOKING AT A POLICY OR DESIGNATION FOR WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. IF WE GET A DEVELOPMENT ALONG THIS CORRIDOR THAT WANTS TO PRIMARILY BE WALKING, THEY WANT -- YOU KNOW, THEY WANT EV STATIONS IN THEIR MIXED USE KIND OF MULTI-FAMILY, I THINK QUESTION WITH NEED TO TALK ABOUT -- WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT GETTING A DESIGNATION FOR WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT YOU DON'T PARK IN THE STREET.

THAT YOU USE THE BUS PRIMARILY OR YOU HAVE A BIKE STATION.

SO WE HAVE SOME OF THAT IN DISTRICT 3 THAT YOU CAN EASILY ACCESS THE PARK BECAUSE YOU WALKABLE AND NOT CRACKED. SO I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THAT WALKABILITY NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGNATION AND MAYBE WE CAN START WITH THEM BECAUSE THAT'S A LOT WHAT I HEARD FROM THE NEIGHBORS IS THEY WANT TO KEEP THAT WALKABILITY.

SO I WANT TO -- I'M GOING TO SUPPORT CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION AS IS.

[02:30:05]

THIS FRAMEWORK REPRESENTS MONTHS OF HARD WORK INCLUDING INPUT FROM RESIDENTS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS, AND I THINK THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE HEARD THROUGH ZONING POLICIES AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT ON THIS DAIS AS IT SITS CURRENTLY AND AS I HOPE IT SITS IN THE FUTURE THAT HOUSING IS A PRIORITY. THAT THOUGHTFULNESS AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIORITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS, BUT THAT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO GROW IN CERTAIN AREAS. SO THANK YOU, CAT, AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND WORK OF YOUR TEAM. THIS IS JUST A GOOD STEP FORWARD I THINK AS WE LOOK AND GROW SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.

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

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. SO I BECAME INTERESTED IN THIS IT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER I GOT ELECTED THAT I WAS LITERALLY WALKING THE HALLS OF CITY HALL AND HEARD THAT THIS EFFORT WAS UNDERWAY.

AND I HAD ACTUALLY LOOKED INTO TOD PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED AND THEN MY OFFICE TOOK A FURTHER LOOK AT IT AFTER WE HEARD THE RUMBLINGS AROUND CITY HALL.

ONE THING THAT WAS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ME IS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY AT OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE ATTEMPTED PROJECTS LIKE THIS, IF THEY ARE NOT DONE PROPERLY, IF THEY ARE NOT DONE WITH STAKEHOLDER INPUT, IF THERE IS NOT A MIX OF HOUSING UP AND DOWN A LINE LIKE THIS, THESE PROJECTS SIMPLY DO NOT WORK.

NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT WORK, BUT IN SOME CASES THEY BECOME REAL DISASTERS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE AREAS IN WHICH THE PROJECTS AFFECT.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED A SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH THIS AND I TALKED TO COUNCILMEMBER KAUR AND WE GOT TOGETHER ON THAT CCR. I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY EMPHASIZE THAT THIS CITY NEEDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE CITY, AS I'VE STATED IN THE PAST. AND, OF COURSE, THIS TOD LINE WILL PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT HOUSING.

BUT AGAIN, IT WON'T BE APPROPRIATE EVERYWHERE ON THAT LINE AND WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MARKET RATE DEVELOPMENTS WHERE IT'S APPROPRIATE. AND SO I'M HAPPY THAT I THINK THAT THIS PLAN WILL DO THAT. THESE TOD LINES, AGAIN, IF DONE CORRECTLY, THEY CAN CREATE VIBRANT MIXED-USE COMMUNITIES. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, AGAIN, IS SUBSTANTIAL. WHEN THESE THINGS ARE DONE PROPERLY. NO MATTER WHAT THE PROJECT, AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE ALL MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE AGREE WITH ME ON.

NO MATTER WHAT WE DO IN THIS CITY MOVING FORWARD, OUR RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW, THEIR DAY TO DAY LIVES, THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE MUST ALWAYS BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FIRST.

I WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN. THE PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR RESIDENTS AS THEY LIVE AND RESIDE RIGHT NOW, THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT FIRST BEFORE WE LOOK AT DOING ANYTHING. AND I WANT TO APPLAUD CAT AND HER TEAM AND THE TASK FORCE, AND THERE WAS MUCH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HERE ON THIS PROJECT OR ON THIS, YOU KNOW, PROPOSED TOD ORDINANCE.

EVERYBODY IS NOT HAPPY WITH IT AND NOBODY IS IS EVER HAPPY WITH EVERYTHING, BUT I

[02:35:03]

WITH THAT SAID, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO AND I HAVE TALKED IN RECENT DAYS ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT WHICH I BELIEVE DOES ADVANCE THE INTEREST OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND DOES PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN TERMS OF REQUIRING ADDITIONAL PARKING. FOR ME, MY DISTRICT BORDERS DISTRICT 1 RIGHT THERE ALONG BROADWAY AND WE HAVE SOME BARS RIGHT THERE AT 410 AND BROADWAY AND THERE'S SOME LIMITED PARKING AVAILABLE THERE AB WE GET CALLS ALL THE TIME ABOUT PEOPLE, PATRONS OF THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS PARKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND WHAT AN ISSUE THAT CAUSES. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE HERE ON THE TOD LINE.

SO I DO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S WORK ON THE PROJECT AND I'LL CEDE THE REST OF MY TIME. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.

>> GARCIA: I'LL START OFF WITH THANKING THE ENTIRE TEAM AND JUST FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS AND EVERYTHING, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. I KNOW IT WASN'T EASY AND THERE WAS PUSH-BACK SO I APPRECIATE THERE IS ALWAYS THAT WILLINGNESS TO COME FORTH AND DISCUSS WITH US, CAT. THANK YOU ALSO TO PETE FROM THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST. I DIDN'T SEE HIM HERE TODAY, BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIS SUPPORT ON THE HOUSING TRUST PERSPECTIVE.

IN FLORIDA I -- IN PARTICULAR I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE LIST ON PAGE 55.

REMAINING IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. WE ARE TRYING TO SAFEGUARD THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE DOCUMENT. IF IT'S NO THE DOCUMENT, I EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OURSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THAT.

ALSO TO PRODUCE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR THAT RAPID TRANSIT.

THE THIRD POINT YOU HAD WAS ELLEN'S PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION.

ANOTHER BALANCING ACT BUT I APPRECIATE IT'S IN THERE. COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS ARE REFERENCED AND LAND BANKING AND STRATEGIC PROPERTY ACQUISITION.

I APPRECIATE THE FOCUS ON THAT AND POSSIBLE USE OF REPURPOSING TAX DELINQUENT PROPERTIES TO SUPPORT HOUSING PRESERVATION GOALS. I WANTED TO START OUT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT AND ACKNOWLEDGING SOMETHING WELCOME IN THE DOCUMENT, IT SAYS BE COUNCILWOMAN PATIBLE WITH THE COSA MASTER PLAN, THE SHIP AND OTHER ADOPTED PLANS. I REALLY JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING THAT AND MAKING SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO INVEST IN THOSE PRIORITIES THAT WERE SET FORTH BY ANOTHER GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SATISFY WHO PARTICIPATED AND WE ENSURE A RETURN ON THE CITY'S INVESTMENT ALONG THE ART. THANK YOU FOR THAT THOUGHTFULNESS AND COLLEAGUE IN DISTRICT 5. COUNCILWOMAN WAS THE THIRD, I BELIEVE IT WAS A THREE-PERSON CCR AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING AND I APPRECIATE WORKING WITH HER ALONG WITH COLLEAGUES ON THE HOUSING TRUST. I THINK THIS IS A TRUE EXAMPLE OF THAT INTERSECTION OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, AND SO I'M GLAD THE HOUSING COMMISSION WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. I THINK THAT THE MORE FASTER, MORE CONVENIENT BUS LINES ARE GOING TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO EXACTLY NEED IT, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT PRICED OUT OF THEIR HOMES LIKE DR. KAUR SAID EARLIER.

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE THE LACK OF PLANNING THAT WENT INTO SOME AREAS IN MY DISTRICT, WE HAVE HIGH-SPEED ROADS RIGHT NEXT TO NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT WASN'T PLANNED FOR. I LIKE THE THOROUGHNESS AND I APPRECIATE WE CAN CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS AND THINGS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. IN THE BACKUP I ALSO READ WE HAVE BEEN BASING PARKING REQUIREMENTS ON A 60-YEAR-OLD POLICY.

WE STILL RELY ON TRANSPORTATION IN GENERAL IN VEHICLES SPECIFICALLY, A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO KEEP US MOVING, BUT I WAS HOPING AS WE START

[02:40:03]

THERE WAS ALSO TALK ABOUT REQUIRING PARKING GARAGES TO BE LABELED AS SPECIAL USE.

I KNOW THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIAL ZONING CHANGE AND INPUT.

CAN YOU MAYBE TELL ME WHY THAT WASN'T PART OF YOUR ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION AND

WHAT CONCERNS YOU WOULD HAVE WITH THAT, CAT? >> SURE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION RELATED TO THE LACK OF PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN THE PROPOSED CODE, THERE WAS ALSO DISCUSSION AMONGST [INAUDIBLE] ABOUT THOSE THAT NOT JUST LIVE ON THE CORRIDOR BUT ARE TRAVELING FROM OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY OVER 500 SQUARE MILES THAT WOULD WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT LINE WHERE DO THEY PARK.

WITH THAT CONVERSATION CAME OUT THAT, WELL, MAYBE WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THAT IS ALLOW FOR PARKING GARAGES TO BE BUILT WHEN STAND-ALONE ISOLATED USES ON A PROPERTY. THAT'S WHERE THE AMENDMENT CAME FROM, ORIGINATED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND RECOMMENDED TO BE PUT INTO THE RECOMMENDED CODE.

AND SO WE JUST MOVED THAT ONE FORWARD BASED ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION.

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU, CAT. AND ALSO NOW LOOKING AT YOUR MAP, RIGHT NOW IT GOES HALF A MILE OR GOES HALF A MILE TO A MILE. AS WE LOOK AT THE BOUNDARIES BEYOND AND MAYBE LOOKING FOR INSTANCE IN THE SOUTH ZARZAMORA EXAMPLE, IF WE

COULD DO A FULL MILE WHERE THERE'S ADDITIONAL ROOM? >> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK BECAUSE OF THE CUSTOMIZED MAP PROCESS, IT ALLOWS THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS TO BE PART OF THAT PRO CYST TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT BOUNDARY, WALKABILITY LOOKS LIKE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ELIGIBILITY TO REQUEST TO REZONE. YES, YOU COULD LOOK AT IT. EVEN THOUGH A HALF MILE WAS WHAT WAS THE CONTEXT FOR THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT'S A TEN-MINUTE WALK, YOU COULD LOOK AT ADDITIONAL -- ANOTHER HALF MILE UP TO THE MILE.

>> GARCIA: THANK YOU. ERIK, I DIDN'T REALIZE WE COULD FLOAT AROUND ANOTHER HOUSING BOND LIKE BETWEEN HOUSING BONDS. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO JUST SAID THAT AND I KNOW IT'S NOT AGENDIZED, BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT ASAP.

I THINK THAT JUST HAS BECOME TOP PRIORITY FOR ME, BUT JUST FYI AND I WOULD LOVE TO

LEARN MORE FROM ANDY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO

HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND THANKS CAT FOR THE PRESENTATION. TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS CLEARLY NO SMALL TASK AND IT'S GOING TO REALLY CHANGE HOW PEOPLE LIVE, WORK AND MOVE ACROSS OUR CITY. WHEN I VISITED THE FTA IN D.C., THEY WERE LASER FOCUSED NOT SO MUCH ON THE LINE, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT WAY BACK WHEN. THAT WAS PART OF THE PROCESS FOR GETTING THE FUNDING AND HOUSING WAS A CENTRAL CONCERN. THE PLAN BEGAN WITH CAREFUL PLANNING. THIS IS TERRIBLY COMPLICATED, MORE COMPLICATED THAN I THINK SOME OF US UNDERSTOOD. THESE PLANNED RAP -- RAPID LINES THAT'S THE FOCUS HERE. BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE TO ABSOLUTELY GET THIS RIGHT AND THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HALF MEASURES. DO YOU HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE PART OF TOD? NOT THE INDIVIDUALS SO MUCH BUT LIKE THE -- WHO WAS REPRESENTED IS THERE?

>> YES. ON OUR SA SPEAK UP SITE WE INCLUDED THE LIST AS WELL AS THE ORGANIZATION THAT THEY REPRESENTED THAT WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE DOCUMENT.

I THINK IT'S IN OUR APPENDIX. >> VIAGRAN: --

>> HAVRDA: YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT IF YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE SCREEN.

I'M HEARING THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL LEFT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION. EVEN SOME FOLKS ON THE TASK FORCE IS WHAT I HEARD TODAY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE BEING HEARD.

ABOUT THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT AS A FRAMEWORK AND AS YEARS WOULD GO BY WE'RE GOING TO FILL IN THAT FRAMEWORK.

I UNDERSTAND WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, BUT TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO'S POINT ABOUT HOUSING NEEDS, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS.

[02:45:04]

I'M LOOKING FOR PERFORMANCE METRICS. WHERE ARE OUR GOALS, WHAT DIRECTION ARE WE MOVING? I ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TIME SO I'M GOING TO KEEP TALKING.

>> YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT NEXT STEPS RELATED AFTER PHASE 2 IS ADOPTED.

>> YES, THE NEXT STEP IS TO WORK ON THE POSSIBILITY OF DENSITY BONUSES AND THAT IS WHAT THE HOUSING COMMISSION'S TECHNICAL REMOVING BARRIERS SUBCOMMITTEE IS WORKING ON. THEY WILL CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION, SEE WHAT THOSE POSSIBILITIES ARE AND CONTINUE TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER BARRIERS ARE IN THE COMMENT CODE THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE PARKING, OTHER VARIANCES THAT MAY BE NEEDED,

SETBACKS, ALL OF THAT ARE PART OF FUTURE DISCUSSION. >> HAVRDA: YOU STARTED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF, IT MAKES ME ANXIOUS. I THINK WE NEED MORE THAN THAT PRETTY QUICKLY. THIS ISN'T JUST THE COUNCIL THAT'S GOING TO BE DEALING WITH IT, IT'S FUTURE COUNCILS FOR MANY YEARS. I JUST FEEL A LITTLE ANXIOUS ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO ALSO BRING UP SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP TODAY, WE'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF SMALL BUSINESS AND LEGACY BUSINESS OWNERS ABOUT SOME OF THEIR CONCERNS. THIS PLAN IS ASKING RESTAURANTS IN TOD ZONE TO GET A SPECIAL ALCOHOL VARIANCE ON TOP OF TABC LICENSES.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, THAT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING ONE OF THE COMMISSION MEETINGS, THERE WAS A LOT OF INPUT. THE TASK FORCE ACTUALLY IT STARTED AT THE TOSS, SORRY. ORIGINALLY -- TASK FORCE, SORRY.

THE CODE WAS RECOMMENDING THAT BARS, TAVERNS BE ALLOWED BUT PER MIGHT BY RIGHT IN THE MX DISTRICTS AS WELL AS HI DISTRICTS, BUT THE TASK FORCE STARTED TALKING ABOUT CURRENT ISSUES, IF YOU ARE LIKING AT NOISE, BAD ACTORS THAT WOULD LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN NEIGHBORHOOD'S MOUTHS. AND ALSO TALK ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING. WITH THAT THE TASK FORCE SAID, LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH A SPECIFIC USE AUTHORIZATION FOR A BAR OR TAVERN BUT PERMITTED IN THE HI. IF A PROPERTY WERE TO GET A REQUEST DO REZONE, THEY COULD ASK THAT THE REQUEST FOR TOD MX WITH THE X FOR THE BAR/TAVERN.

THEY FINDS THE BAR, THE BAR CAN GO IN BY RIGHT. IT WOULD START AT THE

BEGINNING. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU. THAT'S A LOT, A MOUTHFUL.

JUST SEEMS WE'RE ADDING ANOTHER HOOP FOR A SMALL BUSINESS TO JUMP THROUGH.

WE'VE ALL SEEN BARS AND RESTAURANTS COME IN AND TALK ABOUT DESPERATELY ASKING US FOR HELP AND HERE WE'RE GOING TO ADD ANOTHER HOOP, MORE RED TAPE, SOME OTHER REGULATION. WE WANT TO ALWAYS ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY AND LOOK AT LEGITIMATE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS, BUT I DON'T SEE WHY A SMALL BUSINESS THAT ALREADY HAS THAT INDUSTRY WHICH IS PART OF THE BACKBONE OF OUR CITY REALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TOURISM, WHY WE SHOULD ADD MORE RIGOROUS STANDINGS THAN

TABC. TABC DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB. >> AS WE KNOW THE UDC GOES THROUGH AN AMENDMENT PROCESS EVERY FIVE YEARS. YOU CAN MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON WHAT HAPPENS ON THE GROUND. THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN EXPLORE. THERE ARE SOME CITIES, SPECIFICALLY PHOENIX, THAT SEPARATES THE TYPES OF BARS AND TAVERNS. THOSE THAT ARE OF SMALLER SIZE SEPARATED BY A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD BE PERMITTED BY RIGHT.

THOSE LARGER, CLOSER, WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT EXTRA STEP.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN EX EXPLORE. >> HAVRDA: A LOT OF US HAVE SAID HERE TODAY WE WANT TOD TO SUCCEED, BUT PART OF THAT ENSURING WE'RE BALANCING DEVELOPMENT WITH COMMON SENSE. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE MORE RED TAPE FOR THEM TO HAVE TO CUT THROUGH. SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW THE ALCOHOL SALES BY RIGHT AS JUST OFF THE -- RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

AND IF THEY REZONE THEY GET THE BY RIGHT. I UNDERSTAND, JUST DON'T SEE

[02:50:02]

I THINK IT FITS PERFECTLY WITH THE TOD GOALS WHEN WE MAKE SPACE FOR THINGS LIKE THOSE DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS. SO I DO HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION ABOUT PARKING. I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THE PARKING.

IT'S THE MARKET RATE

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THE WAY THE AMENDMENT WAS READ WAS THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS THAT MEET THE DEFINITION IN THE CODE, ALL THE OTHER TYPES OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WOULD HAVE TO MEET ANY PROPOSED AMENDMENT THAT'S ADOPTED

TODAY. EITHER THE 50% OR THE 33%. >> HAVRDA: HOW DO YOU SEE

THAT HAPPENING WITHOUT A PARKING GARAGE? >> SO THE AMENDMENT ON THE PARKING GARAGE IS ONLY FOR PARKING GARAGES WHERE IT'S STAND-ALONE USE ON THE PROPERTY. THE PARKING GARAGE IS JUST SUPPLEMENTAL TO PRINCIPAL USE. IT WOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A STAND-ALONE PARKING GARAGE.

>> HAVRDA: HOW IS PARKING ADDRESSED FOR BUSINESSES? >> CURRENTLY IN THE CODE,

PROPOSED CODE? >> HAVRDA: TOD. >> FOR BUSINESSES, IF THE REQUIREMENT -- IF THE AMENDMENT WERE TO PASS, THEY WOULD HAVE A CHOICE.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO MEET EITHER THE 50%, IF IT'S THE MX3 OR 6, OR THE ITE CODE, THE 33 PERCENTILE. WHATEVER IS ADOPTED TODAY, THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE

TO COMPLY WITH. >> HAVRDA: THANKS. I'VE GOT TO BE QUICK.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT TOO THIS IS A REALLY -- TOD IS A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO USE SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES TO TRY SOME OUT THERE, I THINK IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING TOD TO INCLUDE ALCOHOL SALES AS PERMITTED USE BY RIGHT IN APPLICABLE TOD ZONES.

REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR A SPECIAL ALCOHOL VARIANCE FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS WITHIN TOD ZONES PROVIDED THEY MEET THE TABC REQUIREMENTS AND ZONING

COMPLIANCE. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION ON AMENDING THE MAIN MOTION TO ALLOW FOR ALCOHOL SALES BY RIGHT IN TOD ZONES. IT'S BEEN SECONDED SO WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH THE MAIN DISCUSSION AND JUST INCLUDE THAT AS PART OF OUR DISCUSSION.

ALL RIGHT? COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING MONICA AND RYAN, DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS WHO SERVED ON THE TASK FORCE.

WHAT I'VE GATHERED IS MIXED REACTION. FOR MANY OF MY RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE SILVER LINE, IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEPARATE THE CONVERSATION OF TOD FROM DOWNTOWN SPORTS DISTRICT AND FUTURE OF THE FROST BANK CENTER, ALL OF WHICH WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON DISTRICT 2 AND THE SILVER LINE.

MY PRIOR UNDERSTANDING THIS PROCESS FAVORED THE GREEN LINE AND RESIDENTS WITH MILD INVOLVEMENT BY SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS IMPACTED BY THE SILVER LINE, WITH THE EXPECTATION THERE WILL BE EQUALLY THE CASE AND BECAUSE OF THIS POLICY IS TO BE ADOPTED TODAY ANY CHANGES OR GOALS DETERMINED BY RESIDENTS ALONG THE SILVER LINE WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL AND SUPPORT OF THOSE ALONG THE GREEN LINE. IT WILL BE MUCH HARDER PHONE RESIDENTS ALONG THE EAST-WEST LINE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO POLICY. HAD THIS BEEN CLEAR FROM THE JUMP, MY EXPECTATION WOULD HAVE BEEN THE EAST AND WE GO WEST SIDES WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ENGAGED, I WOULD PREFER WE TAKE BOTH ROUTES OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK THAT MUCH HARDER FOR ANY CHANGES THAT MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDES. MY EXPECTATION NOW IS THAT WHEN WE'RE PREPARING FOR THE EAST-WEST CORRIDOR, WE UTILIZE EVERY MECHANISM TO ENGAGE THOSE WHO ALREADY USE TRANSIT. DEVELOPMENT IS, YOU KNOW, VERY SENSITIVE AND THE DISTRICT 2 NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG THE LINE INCLUDING DIGNOWITY HILL, DENVER HEIGHTS, THESE ARE ALL AREAS THAT EXPERIENCED RAPID GENTRIFICATION AND MANY ARE NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IMPACTED BY DISPLACEMENT. THAT WE INTENTIONALLY AND THOUGHTFULLY INCLUDING MANY OF THE ANTI-DISPLACEMENT THAT WE PRIORITIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOW AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO SPOKE TODAY. BUT COUNCILWOMAN KAUR SAID IT BEST.

[02:55:03]

I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS POLICY TODAY WITH ALL OF THOSE GOALS CONSIDERED.

I AM UNSURE ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT, AMENDING THE PARKING MINIMUM.

I DO THINK COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO, YOU SOUND FAIR.

I KNOW YOU APPROACHED IT THOUGHTFULLY AND I'M GOING TO TALK MYSELF THROUGH A DECISION. I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE ELIMINATED PARKING MINIMUMS AND I'M CONFLICTED BETWEEN PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE WE WANT 5, 10, 15, 20 YEARS FROM NOW WHILE UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE CURRENTLY AND MAKING SURE WHEN I'VE GONE TO VISIT OTHER CITIES, THOUGH, CITIES THAT ARE WALKABLE, THAT HAVE AMENITIES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE WITH ROBUST TRANSIT OPTIONS, WITH INCLUSIVE ZONING POLICIES, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF IT WOULD TAKE A NATURAL DISASTER OR A HARD RESET TO GET US TO THAT REALITY. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THAT BELIEF. I WANT TO PUSH OUR EXISTING REALITY TOWARD A FUTURE WHERE ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE A REALITY. AND SO I THINK TALKING THROUGH -- I THINK I'M GOING TO VOTE NO ON THAT AMENDMENT.

I'LL ECHO SOME OF MY COMMENTS FROM LAST WEEK. WE CANNOT LET THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN HALT PROGRESS. I WILL, I THINK ON THE -- I SECONDED THE MOTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THAT ADDITIONAL BARRIER FOR THE ALCOHOL VARIANCE.

I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. BUT I AM INTERESTED IN SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP TWICE NOW REGARDING AN OFF-CYCLE HOUSING BOND. IS THAT POSSIBLE AND WHAT

WOULD BE BARRIERS TO THAT? >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: LET ME TURN IT OVER TO YOU, ERIK, ON THAT QUESTION. BUT JUST AGAIN CAUTION TO THE COUNCIL WE'RE VEERING A LITTLE BIT OFF TOPIC NOW. ERIK, ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND THEN WE CAN GET BACK ON

TRACK. >> WALSH: SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE HAD THE B SESSION ON THE HOUSING RFP PRE-SOLICITATION, I THINK COUNCILMAN COURAGE MADE THE SAME COMMENT. I THINK THERE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ANALYSIS THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO AND CERTAINLY WE COULD DO.

IT WOULD HAVE IMPACTS BUT THAT WOULD TAKE US A LITTLE BIT OF WORK TO BE ABLE TO

ANSWER THAT QUESTION, SPECIFICALLY. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I GUESS JUST A BRIEF FOLLOW-UP FOR THAT. WOULD THAT CHALLENGE OUR

EXISTING PLANS FOR A 2027 BOND? >> WALSH: SURE.

YES. YEAH, IT WOULD IMPACT THAT. BUT I THINK WE'D HAVE TO DO THE APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND LOOK AT THE REALITY OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE AND IMPACTS ON PROJECTIONS AND GO THROUGH A WHOLE COURSE OF THAT FINANCIAL ANALYSIS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO LAY OUT THE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES BUT

ALSO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. LOOK AT THAT. I DID IT IN ABOUT FIVE

MINUTES. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. I BELIEVE THAT IS EVERYONE ON THE FIRST ROUND. SO UNLESS I'M MISTAKEN, WE'LL GO TO OUR SECOND ROUND NOW. WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS LAST MONDAY, SAISD HAD A BOARD MEETING AND ONE OF THEIR BOARD MEMBERS, TRUSTEE SORENSON, WHO WORKS WITH THE CITY, WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR ALIGNMENT WITH SHIP GOALS. ONE OF THE THINGS SHE WAS MENTIONING PARTICULARLY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT FAMILIES BEING ABLE TO ACCESS TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM HOUSING IS REALLY DIFFICULT IN THE URBAN CORE, WHICH IS WHERE THEIR SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED.

IT'S PARTICULARLY ONE OF THE REASONS THE DIVERSITY OF THE ADVANCED LEARNING ACADEMY IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY HAVE ALL OF THE ACCESS THAT THEY DO HAVE.

AND SO IN MENTIONING THAT, THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN CREATING URBAN CORE HOUSING IS COST. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LOTS AVAILABLE UP AND DOWN SAN PEDRO RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE SELLING FOR INSANE AMOUNTS BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY THERE. AND IF WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE COSTS, WE WILL LIMIT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRULY CREATING THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WAS MENTIONED. AND SO ADDING PARKING REQUIREMENTS ADDS COST TO TOTAL PROJECTS. AND IF PROJECTS CAN'T PENCIL, THEY CAN'T BE FUNDED. AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSING TRUST BOARD, IT'S BEEN REALLY EXCITING TO SEE PROJECTS COME THROUGH BUT WE HAVE HAD VERY FEW LAND PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES COME THROUGH IN DISTRICT 1 RECENTLY. THERE IS MORE LAND, AS YOU GO FURTHER OUT, BUT THAT INCREASES COSTS FOR SAWS, FOR CPS WHEN YOU'RE ADDING ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS VERSUS WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO BUILD IN THE URBAN CORE WHERE THE LAND IS

[03:00:04]

SO ALL WE'RE SAYING TODAY IS THAT AS DEVELOPMENTS COME THROUGH, WE'RE PUTTING THE ONUS ON THE TEAM THAT'S DEVELOPING THE LAND TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR PARKING IN THAT SPECIFIC INSTANCE. SO WHEN WE HAD OUR COMMUNITY TOWN HALL, CITY STAFF DID A GREAT JOB -- IT WAS MENTIONED HERE.

SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO ALL THESE LANDS, RIGHT? VIA IS GOING TO BUILD THE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT LINE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS SO IT SHOULD BE DONE BY 2027. THIS ENTIRE LINE WILL NOT BE DEVELOPED BY 2027.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR FOUR YEARS AND IT IS STILL NOT UP AND RUNNING. DEVELOPMENT TAKES A VERY, VERY, VERY LONG TIME SO THERE'S NOTHING TO SAY THAT THE ENTIRE LINE WILL BE DEVELOPED BEFORE THE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM WILL BE CREATED. THAT'S ACTUALLY NOT TRUE.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT'S NOT LARGE-AREA REZONING. WE GOT FOUR PIECES OF LAND THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW -- ACTUALLY NOT EVEN AVAILABLE.

WE PICKED FOUR PLOTS OF LAND ON THE LINE AND WE SHOWED WHAT WAS POSSIBLE.

THEY DID RENDERINGS FOR US IN TERMS OF HOW HIGH THE BUILDING COULD GO AND WHAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE. THAT REALLY ALLOWED US TO SEE THAT THE -- I ALWAYS MENTION THIS LOT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE IT'S IN MONTE VISTA AND IT'S RIGHT ACROSS TWAIN. IT'S A PARKING LOT RIGHT NOW.

AND WHAT THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE. IT WOULD STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION COME TO CITY COUNCIL. THERE ARE MANY LAYERS IN THE PROCESS FOR THAT LOT TO EVER BE REZONED TO TOD AND MAXED TO THE POSSIBILITY. ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, THANK YOU FOR COMING. THE TOBIN HILL ASSOCIATION, I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED PARKING ISSUES MORE THAN A LOT OF FOLKS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE TRYING RIGHT NOW IN TOBIN HILL IS SPECIFICALLY ON GRAYSON AND LOCUS WHERE THERE'S DOUBLE PARKING FOR ONE WAY . THERE ARE INNOVATIVE METHODS TO USE WHEN THERE'S CHALLENGES WITH PARKING. AGAIN, THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT EACH LOT WHEN IT COMES UP BECAUSE THAT'S NOT CHANGING TODAY.

AND SO I'LL END BY SAYING I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE SHOWING SUPPORT ON THE DAIS TO MOVE THIS POLICY FORWARD. I WAS AT AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR AND ROSTINE SHARED THAT SINGLE-FAMILY LAND USE POLICIES ARE THE FORM OF MODERN-DAY REDLINING. REDLINING HISTORICALLY IS THE REASON WHY WE SEE SO MUCH DISPARITY IN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO US MOVING AWAY FROM PASSING EXCLUSIONARY ZONING RULES AND ENSURING WE CAN HAVE MIXED-USE LAND USE ALL UP AND DOWN SAN PEDRO ALONG THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED LINE THAT'S

BEING CREATED. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: OUR TEAM RECEIVED E-MAILS FROM FOLKS ASKING WE SUPPORT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION.

I THANK THEM FOR THEIR COMMENTS AND DISTRICT 5 WILL BEGIN THE STAGES OF THE SILVER ART LINE CONVERSATION AND WE JOIN US IN ADVOCATING FOR A ROBUST HOUSING PROGRAM SO RESIDENTS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSIT.

IN TERMS OF THE PARKING AMENDMENT, WHEN WE LOOK AT NEARBY CITIES AND THE COSTS, AUSTIN HAS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF PARKING SPACES TO BE ROUGHLY $5,000 TO $10,000 FOR A SPACE IN SURFACE LOTS. AND $20,000 TO $60,000 PER PARKING SPACE IN STRUCTURES, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PARKING LOT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND TO ENSURE THIS WORKS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF PARKING INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF RENT. AND, AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENT BUT I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE. I APPRECIATE THE PLACE WHERE THE AMENDMENT IS COMING FROM BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE OVERALL COST THAT PARKING CAN RESULT IN FOR ADDITIONAL RENT COST, I CAN'T BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE AMENDMENT.

AND VASTLY, ONE OF THE PIECES WITHIN THE RECOMMENDATION THAT I'M A BIT HESITANT WITH IS THE CREATION OF TOD TIRZ. I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STATUS AND WE TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL CUTS AND HOW THAT MAY IMPACT SERVICES JUST BASED OFF THE RESPONSE TO EXPLORING THE HOUSING BOND, WE KNOW THAT THE TIRZ STRUCTURE DIVERTS FUNDING AWAY FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE NOT CONCENTRATING RESOURCES WHEN --O MY SKEPTICISM OF HOW WE KIND OF UNDERMINED OUR OWN TIRZ POLICY.

[03:05:04]

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

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANKS.

I FORGOT TO MENTION WHY IT IS THAT I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE PARKING-RELATED AMENDMENT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN MY DISTRICT THE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OF BAR PATRONS AND RESTAURANT PATRONS PARKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEN AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING CAUSING HAVOC IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE SPENT CLOSE TO EIGHT YEARS REALLY REMEDIATING THAT PROBLEM IN TWO NEIGHBORHOODS, IN PARTICULAR. BUT THE ONE WHY IT IS MOST FOCUSED WAS IN COLLEGE PARK. IT GOT SO BAD THAT WE HAD TO GET TABC INVOLVED AND SAPD INVOLVED AND METRO HEALTH INVOLVED AND, I MEAN, UNDERCOVER DETECTIVES.

THERE WERE SHOOTINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, RACING. YOU KNOW, DRUNKS JUMPING OVER FENCES AND ALL THAT. I'VE SEEN HOW BAD PARKING PLANNING AND JUST SORT OF LEAVING IT TO THE MARKET WORKS. THE MARKET WILL FIND THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO GO PARK AND IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS IN FRONT OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE.

AND SO I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH AND I HOPE IT PASSES.

IF IT DOESN'T PASS, I'LL STILL VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM NO. 4? I'LL JUST ADD A FEW OF MY COMMENTS HERE AND THEN WE'LL GO, ANDY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE SECOND AMENDMENT ON THE ALCOHOL ISSUE FIRST.

FOLLOWED BY THE AMENDMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.

AND THEN WE'LL GET ON TO THE MAIN MOTION. SO LET ME JUST ASK A QUICK QUESTION ON THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, CAT. WITH RESPECT TO THE ALCOHOL ISSUE AND ALLOWING IT TO BE BY RIGHT. CURRENTLY THERE ARE PROPERTIES OBVIOUSLY COMMERCIALLY ZONED OVERLAID BY THIS TOD.

WOULD THAT CREATE A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR THOSE PROPERTIES TO HAVE TO SERVE

ALCOHOL IF THEY'RE ALREADY PERMITTED TO DO SO? >> SO THE TOD DISTRICT IS ITS OWN BASE DISTRICT. SO WHEN THAT PROPERTY GOES THROUGH A REZONING, IF THEY REQUEST THE TOD MX BUT THEY DON'T REQUEST THE S FOR THE BAR, THEY WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SECOND STEP IF A BAR WANTS TO LOCATE INTO A TOD MX DISTRICT.

SIMILAR TO TODAY, IF YOU THINK OF C-2 VERSUS C-3. C-2 DOES NOT ALLOW BAR BY RIGHT, C-3 DOES. IF THEY WANT TO GO ON TO THE C-2 PROPERTY THEY HAVE TO REZONE TO ALLOW FOR THE BAR. I THINK IT'S THROUGH A CONDITIONAL USE PROCESS.

IT'S JUST THAT EXTRA STEP THEY'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO ADD THAT BAR, ADD THAT

USE TO THAT PROPERTY. >> SO WE ARE NOT REZONING ANYTHING TODAY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I UNDERSTAND THAT. >> JUST MAKING SURE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. FAIR ENOUGH. AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I WANTED TO START, JUST TO BE CLEAR. AND IT'S BEEN STATED ALREADY SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS AN ENABLING ORDINANCE ONLY.

ALL THE PROPERTIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS RETAIN THEIR VOICE AND THEIR POWER AND THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING THE OUTCOMES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH RESPECT TO TOD. THIS IS CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO NOW DO WHAT, FRANKLY, OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR WELL OVER A DECADE.

AT RISK OF SOUNDING PEDANTIC, I WANT TO CITE SA TOMORROW AND THANK SOME OF THE FOLKS INVOLVED IN CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE STRATEGY THAT COUPLES A MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR THE CITY ALONG WITH OUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS. DARRELL BIRD AND MYSELF CHAIRED THAT EFFORT AND IT INVOLVED COMMUNITY MEMBERS DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY THAT WE CONTINUE TO ITERATE BEYOND THAT. THE PROGRESS VIA HAS MADE WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR FIRST ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM COMING TO SAN ANTONIO . WITH RESPECT TO TOD, WE WOULD BE HAVING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT DENSIFYING OUR TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS WITH OR WITHOUT THE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT. THAT WAS ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR ENTIRE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS IDENTIFYING HOW PEOPLE MOVE IN THE CITY TO AND FROM WORKPLACE, HOME, SCHOOL, RECREATION, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE AN EFFICIENT WAY TO DO THAT AND AN EFFORT TO COMBAT URBAN SPRAWL,

[03:10:03]

AND SO I WANT TO JUST THANK MY COLLEAGUES. IT'S BEEN A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION HERE WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUE OF PARKING.

AND THE REASON WHY I SUPPORT THE POSITION OF COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO IS I DO THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS WE ARE TRYING TO ELIMINATE PARKING MINIMUMS IN THIS COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE SAKE OF ELIMINATING PARKING BUT TO REDUCE THE COST BURDEN IT PLACES ON HOUSES AND THE REQUIREMENT OF PEOPLE TO OWN A CAR TO BE ABLE TO DO THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF THRIVING IN A CITY.

WE KNOW THAT THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION IS THE SECOND BIGGEST BURDEN ON ANY HOUSEHOLD WITH RESPECT TO JUST MAKING ENDS MEET IS THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION.

SECOND ONLY TO RENT OR MORTGAGE. SO MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION IS A PRIORITY. WE'VE IDENTIFIED IT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO AND WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS IT. I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE FOLKS ARE FULLY ON BOARD IN THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING AND MY VIEW WHETHER OR NOT THE AMENDMENT PASSES IS REALLY JUST A QUESTION OF HOW BIG A STEP ARE WE GOING TO TAKE TODAY. SO, WITH THAT, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT BUT, REGARDLESS, THE MOTION, I BELIEVE, IS THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR CITY TO DO AND CONTINUES THE EFFORT THAT WE STARTED QUITE A WHILE AGO.

WITH RESPECT TO THE PARKING AMENDMENT PUT FORWARD BY D7. SO, AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK. TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE AND THE COMMISSION AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS PROCESS FOR WELL OVER A YEAR SPECIFIC TO THE TOD PROCESS, AS WELL AS OUR STAFF. BUT FAR BEYOND THAT IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE GROWING OUR CITY IN A MORE HEALTHFUL, SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE WAY. THIS IS GREAT PROGRESS THAT WE'LL BE MAKING TODAY. SO, WITH THAT, WE'LL TAKE UP THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WHICH IS THE AMENDMENT PUT FORWARD BY COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA ON THE ISSUE OF ALCOHOL BY RIGHT IN THOSE POTENTIAL TOD ZONES. SO THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE AMENDMENT PUT FORWARD BY COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

DO WE NEED TO REPEAT THAT? >> GAVITO: IF YOU DON'T MIND.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. SURE. IS IT POSSIBLE WE CAN GET IT

ON THE SCREEN? IS IT WRITTEN? >> I DON'T HAVE IT ON THE SCREEN BUT IT'S A MOTION TO ALLOW BARS AND TAVERNS ALCOHOL USES PERMITTED BY

RIGHT IN THE MX DISTRICTS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHY DON'T WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER

CABELLO HAVRDA READ IT. >> HAVRDA: I'M MOVING TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE GOVERNING TOD SPECIFICALLY I PROPOSE REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT FOR A SPECIAL ALCOHOL VARIANCE FOR BUSINESSES SUCH AS RESTAURANTS AND BARS WITHIN TOD ZONES PROVIDED THEY MEET THE TABC LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND ADHERE TO

LOCAL ZONING COMPLIANCE . THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU HEARD THE MOTION. IS THERE ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE VOTING ON? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

>> CASTILLO:

>> CASTILLO: PERMITTING NEAR SCHOOLS. I WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR NEIGHBORS STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT IF THERE'S A PERMIT APPLIED

FOR NEAR A SCHOOL OR ANY PLACE. >> SO THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT IMPACT THE CITY CODE CHAPTER 4, WHICH HAS THE ALCOHOL VARIANCE REQUIREMENT,

ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE WITHIN 300 FEET OF A SCHOOL. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU,

CAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY THE SECOND AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE VOTING ON FIRST? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.

MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL GO NOW TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT, WHICH WAS THE MOTION TO AMEND RELATED TO PARKING PUT FORWARD BY COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. CAN WE PUT THAT ONE ON THE SCREEN SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT? AGAIN, THIS IS NOT THE MAIN MOTION.

THIS IS THE MOTION TO AMEND WITH RESPECT TO PARKING. WOULD SOMEBODY LIKE TO READ

IT ALSO? DOES ANYBODY NEED IT READ? >>

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. THERE IT IS ON THE SCREEN. THIS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MOST OF THE CONVERSATION SO WE'RE PRETTY GOOD. ALL RIGHT.

[03:15:01]

NOW WE'LL GO TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH WAS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF TODAY ON THE TOD-ENABLING ORDINANCE. PLEASE VOTE.

AS AMENDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA, CORRECT. MOTION CARRIES.

[Miscellaneous  ]

I WILL NOW GO TO ITEM 19.

>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 19 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN ADDENDUM TO THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY MANAGER AS A RESULT OF THE NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: OH, IS THERE A PRESENTATION? ON 19?

NO, I GUESS NOT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ACTUALLY, WHY DON'T I GET A MOTION AND WE'LL GO ON WITH DISCUSSION. I'M SORRY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. LET'S DO THAT FIRST.

THERE ARE SEVERAL FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. AGAIN, TWO MINUTES PER PERSON. UP TO SIX FOR A GROUP. WE'LL START WITH BRETT FINLEY. MR. FINLEY, YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY KELLY ANN

GONZALES. >> OFFICIALLY GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS BRETT FINLEY. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE METRO CHAMBER.

RECENTLY REBRANDED THE NORTH SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FULL SUPPORT TO 19, THE COMPENSATION FOR THE CITY MANAGER. I'LL TAKE EVERYONE BACK TO NOVEMBER 5, THE ELECTION.

THERE WERE SIX CHARTER AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY I THINK MADE THEIR VOICES LOUD AND CLEAR, HEARD THAT THE DIRECTION, THE BELIEF, THE TRUST THAT THEY HAVE NOT ONLY IN THIS CITY COUNCIL DAIS BUT THEN ALSO CITY ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP ON THE DIRECTION OF WHERE WE ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE THIS CITY FORWARD WAS EVIDENT, OVERWHELMINGLY. I THINK FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, NOT TO RE-LITIGATE WHAT THE HARD WORK OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION UNDERTOOK OVER NINE TEDIOUS LONG MONTHS TO ANALYZE COMPENSATION COMPARISONS NOT ONLY ACROSS TEXAS BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT IS FAIR LOOKING BACK IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR OF THE PROJECTS AND THE CHALLENGES THAT THE CITY HAS GONE THROUGH FROM THE PANDEMIC TO OBVIOUSLY DELIVERING OUT ARPA FUNDING TO THE WINTER STORM. BUT THEN REALLY A TIPPING POINT FOR WHERE THE CITY IS GOING WITH THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR BUT THEN ACROSS THE CITY, PROJECT MARVEL, THE ALAMO REDESIGN PROJECT, HEMISFAIR, AND PUTTING THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON A TRULY GLOBAL STAGE. IT IS ADAMANTLY TIME TO HAVE A FAIRLY-COMPENSATED CITY MANAGER TO CONRTINUE TO LEAD THIS CITY. CONTINUITY IS EVERYTHING.

SO MAKE SURE THAT COMPENSATION PACKAGES AGAIN ARE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER CITIES ACROSS BOTH THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY. I THINK I WOULD ALSO ADD IN CLOSING THAT WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE THIS ASSESSMENT PROCESS HAPPEN ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO MAKE SURE COMPENSATION IS CONSISTENT. ALSO THAT HOLDING CITY MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GAVITO: THANKS, BRETT. NEXT WE HAVE KELLY ANN GONZALES FOLLOWED BY

[INDISCERNIBLE] ROBINSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, AND CITY ATTORNEY AND EVERYBODY HERE TODAY THAT TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR THURSDAY TO BE HERE.

GONZALES. I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6 BORN AND RAISED, AS WELL AS A LABOR ORGANIZER FOR AFSCME 2021. WE WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY CONGRATULATE SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS FOR VOTING TO APPROVE PROP C, BRINGING OUR CITY MANAGER OF SAN ANTONIO SALARY TO A COMPETITIVE $461,000, A 23% RAISE.

AS THE UNION FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, WE WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT WE ARE ALWAYS

[03:20:01]

ERIK WILL NOW HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE SECOND HIGHEST-PAID CITY MANAGER IN TEXAS BEHIND ONLY AUSTIN, WHICH ITSELF MANAGES A CITY BUDGET OF $7 BILLION COMPARED TO OUR $4 BILLION BUDGET. WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT ALL CITY EMPLOYEES ARE PAID A COMPETITIVE WAGE.

WE ASK COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THIS UPCOMING YEAR IN ENSURE THE REST OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE BROUGHT UP TO MARKET RATE BY REQUESTING A STUDY FOR ALL JOB TITLES.

HAD THE PAY CAP REMAINED ON THE CITY MANAGER, THE MINIMUM WAGE WOULD BE $22.16 AN HOUR. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT ALONG WITH OUR FELLOW UNION BROTHERS AND FELLOW CITY EMPLOYEES HERE IN THE CHAMBER IN CHAMPIONING A $20 AN HOUR LIVING WAGE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR AS WELL AS REINSTATING A FAIR STEP PAY PLAN TO ENSURE ALL CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPETITIVE YEARLY RAISES THAT REFLECT THEIR DEDICATED YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, KELLY.

NOW WE HAVE IAN ROBINSON FOLLOWED BY BETTY ECKERT. >> THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND STAFF, AND OF COURSE CITY MANAGER. MY NAME IS AIDEN ROBINSON.

I'M A CITY EMPLOYEE AND A MEMBER OF AFSCME LOCAL 2021. I'M OF COURSE HERE, JUST LIKE MY OTHER UNION MEMBER. I AM HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

CONGRATULATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE GIVING OUR CITY MANAGER A COMPETITIVE WAGE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WITH THE GROWTH WE ARE HAVING AS YOU DISCUSS THE ITEMS BEFORE THIS THAT WE KEEP OUR CITY STAFF AT A COMPETITIVE RATE WITH THE MARKET. AND SO OF COURSE STARTING WITH OUR CITY MANAGER IS A GREAT FIRST STEP BECAUSE US AS A UNION, WE DO BELIEVE THAT WE CANNOT HAVE THE BEST TALENT, RETAIN THE BEST TALENT, AND RECRUIT FUTURE BETTER TALENT IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES IF WE DO NOT HAVE COMPETITIVE WAGES. SO OBVIOUSLY A $20 AN HOUR WAGE WOULD BE THE OPPORTUNITY BUT TO BE HONEST WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR STAFF WITH PROPER OPPORTUNITY BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE COMPETITIVENESS TO ATTRACT THE TALENT THROUGHOUT.

BECAUSE WE ARE A WORLD-LEADING CITY. WE ARE NOT JUST ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN TEXAS BUT WITH THE GROWTH WE ARE HAVING WE'RE CLEARLY LOOKING FOR A

BRIGHT FUTURE. SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. ROBINSON. BETTY ECKERT. MS. ECKERT, YOU WILL BE

FOLLOWED BY MANDO FLORES . >> TIME FOR JACK FINGER TO FINISH UP.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. YOU'LL HAVE FOUR MINUTES, JACK. I'LL CALL YOU IN JUST A MINUTE.

YOU'LL BE RIGHT AFTER MANDO FLORES. MANDO.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AFSCME LOCAL 2021. AS WE MENTIONED, CONGRATULATE EVERYBODY ON THE DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE, THE TENURES AND THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS TO BRING EVERYBODY TO MARKET. SO CONGRATULATIONS.

SO AS ECHOED BY OUR COMPANIONS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH EVERYBODY AND A $20 MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO CITY EMPLOYEES THAT MAKE THE CITY HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYBODY AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST TO MAKE THIS PLACE THE BEST THAT IT

IS GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FLORES. JACK FINGER. YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY

PATRICK VON DOLEN. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OUR MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.

ITEM 19 IS ABOUT ADJUSTING THE CITY MANAGER'S SALARY. IT WAS BASED ON THE VOTE THAT THE PEOPLE GAVE TO YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL, LAST MONTH.

[03:25:05]

NOT SO MUCH THE YELLOW. SCROLL DOWN TO THE UNDERLINED AREA THERE.

LET'S SEE. THE INITIAL BASE SALARY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1 WILL BE AN ANNUAL RATE OF $461,000. RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD THERE.

$461,000. I GUESS THAT'S ENOUGH TO HELP HIM BUY SOME GROCERIES AT H-E-B. YEAH. HOW MUCH WAS THE CITY MANAGER MAKING EARLIER? HOW MUCH OF A PERCENTAGE INCREASE IS THIS? LET'S SEE, WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE? 23%. RETURN THE CAMERA, PLEASE. YEAH.

HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. WELL, HEY, THE GUY IS DOING WHAT Y'ALL WANTED HIM TO DO.

HE'S DOING YOUR BIDDING. HE'S THE GUY WHO PERMANENTLY HAS ESTABLISHED A PLANNED PARENTHOOD ABORTIONIST AS OUR CITY'S MEDICAL DIRECTOR, THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

HE CERTAINLY HAS RESISTED THE TEMPTATION TO PUT IN ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, MR. WHYTE. AND HE CERTAINLY HAS KEPT THAT SAN PEDRO ILLEGAL ALIEN CENTER HUMMING ALONG. YEAH, MR. WALSH HAS DONE EXACTLY WHAT YOU GUYS WANT HIM TO DO AT NEARLY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. OH, GOES.

I'M SORRY. THIS KIND OF DEFIES BELIEF . IS IT REALLY WHAT THE SALARY IS? IS THAT REALLY WHAT THE SALARY IS AMONG OTHER COMPETITIVE CITIES AROUND THE AREA, THE NATION? $461,000.

AND THE CAR ALLOWANCE. $500 A MONTH. $500 A MONTH HE'LL GET FOR A CAR ALLOWANCE. WE'RE STILL COUGHING AT THAT ONE.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. PATRICK VON DOLAN.

I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM 19. >> SECOND.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 19. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.

>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO START WITH SAYING IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EVERY DECISION WE MAKE AFFECTS THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND WE ALWAYS NEED TO KEEP THAT IN MIND. I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE APPROVE $100,000 RAISE WITH POVERTY LEVELS AS THEY ARE IN THIS CITY WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE IN SAN ANTONIO ARE STRUGGLING. AND WE'RE STILL SCRAMBLING TO FIND MONEY FOR ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES. THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK OR CRITICISM ON ERIK OR HIS WORK. I DO BELIEVE HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB BUT I RECENTLY VOTED AGAINST A SALARY INCREASE FOR COUNCIL FOR THE SAME REASON. I THINK IT'S JUST BAD FORM TO GIVE OURSELVES A RAISE WHILE OUR CITY IS STRUGGLING. THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS. I UNDERSTAND HE'S NOT ELECTED BUT HIS -- THE CITY MANAGER'S SALARY COMES FROM THE PEOPLE. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT I DO APPRECIATE THE SALIENT POINTS MADE HERE TODAY BY AFSCME, KELLY ANN, AIDAN.

I KNOW THEY'RE SALIENT. I UNDERSTAND THEM BUT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DO THIS AND GO OUT INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF OUR CITY AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED AND NOT GIVE THEM WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND GIVING ONE OF US A $100,000 RAISE. I VALUE THE CITY MANAGER'S WORK AND HE'S RUNNING THE CITY EFFICIENTLY. I ALSO RECOGNIZE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ON POLICIES AND SPENDING THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF DATA AND ALL KINDS OF NUMBERS THAT WILL SHOW WHY THE SALARY SHOULD GO UP AND I DON'T DISPUTE ANY OF THAT. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND FACING THEM AND SAYING THAT I VOTED FOR THIS. SO I APPRECIATE IT. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

[03:30:01]

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS PUBLICLY.

I'LL JUST START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING THE FOLKS FROM AFSCME HERE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A FIRST STEP, LIKE YOU ALL SAID, IN MAKING SURE THAT CITY EMPLOYEES GET ADEQUATELY PAID. AND SO I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW IF RENEE IS IN HERE. RENEE, IT WILL BE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

AND SO WHEN WAS -- HOW OFTEN DO YOU MAKE MARKET ADJUSTMENTS FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES? AND SO I THOUGHT THAT YOU DO THEM EVERY SO OFTEN BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW OFTEN THAT IS. CAN YOU JUST REMIND ME MAYBE WHEN THE LAST TIME THAT THOSE MARKET ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES?

>> IN FISCAL YEAR '23 WE DID A MARKET ANALYSIS OF ALL OF OUR CITY JOBS AND WE ARE NOW ON A ROTATION TO LOOK AT EVERY JOB EVERY THREE YEARS. THE CITY MANAGER'S POSITION IS THE ONLY POSITION THAT HAD NOT YET BEEN ADDRESSED FOR MARKET.

>> GARCIA: GOT IT. BUT EVERY OTHER POSITION WAS ADDRESSED.

WHEN IS IT -- SO TWO YEARS AGO YOU DID IT, SO YOU'LL DO IT AGAIN IN ONE YEAR?

>> NOW WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON COMPRESSION AND ONCE WE HAVE CAUGHT UP ON

COMPRESSION, EVERY JOB WILL BE ON A THREE-YEAR ROTATION. >> GARCIA: I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE THE LARGEST CITY IN TEXAS WITH A CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOMEONE WHO COULD JUST, FOR THE SAKE OF JUST SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THIS. I HAVE THE CITY MANAGER SALARY COMPARISON, SO IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SHOW IT ON THE SCREEN.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE IT RIGHT HERE. BUT WE HIRED ERIK IN 1994 AS A CITY. HE WAS PROMOTED IN 2019 AND HE HAS MORE THAN 23 YEARS OF EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE. AND SO THAT PLACES HIM I THINK NEAR THE TOP FOURTH QUARTILE OF HIS SALARY RANGE. AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF A LOT OF PEOPLE KNEW THIS BUT I WAS THE CITY'S EXECUTIVE RECRUITER FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND WE ALWAYS LOOKED AT HOW WE COMPARED TO BENCHMARKS. WE LOOKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE, FOLKS WE'RE OVERSEEING, THE DEPARTMENT SIZES.

ALSO THE -- OF COURSE DEGREES, ET CETERA. BUT WE DID HAVE EVALUATION PLANS, PLANNING PLANS. THE PLANNING AT THAT TIME USED TO BECOME THE EVALUATION PLAN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOME MECHANISM IN PLACE. I DO WANT TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.

I DID SAY THIS TO A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I'VE MENTIONED IT SEVERAL TIMES THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES TIED INTO ERIK'S PERFORMANCE. IT'S NOT JUST ERIK. IT'S LIKE WHATEVER CITY MANAGER WOULD COME AFTER ERIK. I KNOW THAT CITY MANAGERS ARE BEING HEAD HUNTED ALL OF THE TIME. AND RIGHT NOW WHEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JUST PASSED A NEW FOUR-YEAR TERM LIMIT, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET A NEW MAYOR. WE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE ALL NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M JUST THINKING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THAT SCENARIO. AND I WOULDN'T WANT THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO TO BE FACED WITH A NEW CITY MANAGER POTENTIALLY AS WELL.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT ANYONE WITHIN THE CITY ORGANIZATION WILL GET THAT AUTOMATIC PLACEMENT BECAUSE THERE IS A THOROUGH SEARCH THAT HAPPENS, ET CETERA.

AND SO THE CITY MANAGER WORKS AT THE WILL OF CITY COUNCIL.

IF THE CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T THINK THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS DOING HER OR HIS JOB, WE CAN IMMEDIATELY TAKE ACTION ON THAT. AND SO I JUST REMIND US OF THAT AND THEN OF COURSE THE RESIDENTS THAT APPOINT US. AND THE MANAGER HAS RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE TO US BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE GET TO SAY YES TO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, MAKE CHANGES. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TIE IN SOME MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES.

ON NOVEMBER 8 I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION, I THINK, WITH GREG JEFFERSON AND WITH MEGAN RODRIGUEZ. AND SO I TOLD THEM AT THE TIME THAT I WAS LOOKING TO MAKE SURE WE HAD EVALUATIONS TIED INTO ANY FUTURE SALARY INCREASES.

WE HADN'T HAD A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE MARKET ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT RENEE REMINDED US THAT EVERY OTHER CITY EMPLOYEE HAD DONE THAT. AND IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE WE DON'T LOOK AT CITY SALARIES.

THAT'S NOT OUR JOB IN THE CHARTER. IT KEEPS US FROM DOING THAT, AS A MATTER OF FACT. BUT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY MANAGER AND SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK RENEE AND KRYSTAL AND THE TEAM FOR REMINDING US.

[03:35:02]

WE CAN CALL THEM OBJECTIVES, PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, WHATEVER WE CALL THEM I FEEL LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY IT WOULD BE WEIRD FOR ME TO RECOMMEND LIKE A CERTAIN SALARY FOR MY OWN BOSS, AT THE END OF THE DAY.

SO I JUST KIND OF WANT TO JUST MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW WE BUDGET FOR THAT, WE BUDGET FOR SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE TO KIND OF MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION AND COME IN AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS. BUT, AGAIN, I FEEL THAT IT HAS TO BE CLOSELY TIED INTO OBJECTIVES. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ALSO HOW WE TIE IN PUBLIC INPUT. SO WHAT ARE THE EMPLOYEES SAYING ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER. WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY SAYING ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER.

WE CAN GIVE OUR FEEDBACK IN ANNUAL EVALUATIONS BUT I FEEL THAT THIS POSITION, ALTHOUGH NOT ELECTED BY THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO, DOES HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. SO IN FUTURE YEARS, AS WE LOOK TO EVALUATING THE JOB OF WHAT OUR CITY MANAGER DOES, I'D LOVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT DEEPER. I DID E-MAIL AND ASK HOW DO WE TIE IN OBJECTIVES, ET CETERA, AND HOW THEY'RE REACHED. AND SO I WAS TOLD THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION LATER. AND SO I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND THE DISCUSSION. BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS A MARKET ADJUSTMENT.

AND COMPARED TO THE OTHERS, I HAVE WORKED BEFORE WITH PETER ZANONI IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND OTHERS AND I KNOW THEY CONSTANTLY GET TRIED TO GET RECRUITED AWAY FROM THIS CITY BECAUSE OF THE GREAT JOB THEY HAVE DONE HERE AND THE TRAINING THEY HAVE RECEIVED AT THE CITY. I HAVE NO DOUBT AND I KNOW THAT ERIK HAS BEEN RECRUITED AND HAS NOT GONE. WHATEVER THE REASON WAS, WHETHER IT WAS BECAUSE HE LOVES US ALL SO MUCH OR HE LOVES THE CITY OR MAYBE HE JUST DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE CENTRAL CATHOLIC GAMES, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M GRATEFUL HE DIDN'T LEAVE.

ERIK, THANK YOU. I'M APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR WORK AND YOU AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOME OF YOUR DIRECT REPORTS AND YOU'VE ADDRESSED THEM AND NOW IT'S FINE. LIKE, I WORK GREAT WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES.

THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS LISTENING. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S A LONG LIST OF THINGS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

BUT I KNOW YOU DON'T FORGET ABOUT THEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU.

ANDY MIGHT REMEMBER THIS QUOTE FROM HENRY FORD, BECAUSE HE AND I ARE CAR GUYS. BUT IT'S NOT THE EMPLOYER WHO PAYS THE WAGES.

EMPLOYERS ONLY HANDLE THE MONEY. IT'S THE CUSTOMER WHO PAYS THE WAGES. AND I GET THAT. WE ARE STEWARDS OF TAX DOLLARS. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S THOSE TAXPAYERS WHO CONTRIBUTE BY WAY OF TAXES AND REAL ESTATE AND THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY FOR US TO RUN THE CITY. AND ONE OF THE OBLIGATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO RUN A CITY IS TO MAKE SURE WE HIRE THE BEST DAMN CITY MANAGER IN THE UNITED STATES.

BECAUSE WE DESERVE NOTHING LESS. FOR ME, ERIK, THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. THIS VOTE I'M TAKING TODAY IS ABOUT RETAINING YOU BUT ALSO RECRUITING THE NEXT ERIK WALSH. AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT THE BEST CITY MANAGER THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY GET.

AND SO THIS IS A SALARY ADJUSTMENT BASED ON ONE VERY IMPORTANT REALITY THAT WE CAN'T JUST WISH AWAY, AND THAT IS CITY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO COMPETE FOR TALENT.

SOME OF US WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BUT THAT WISHING ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE DO UP HERE. HERE WE PLAN AND WE STRATEGIZE.

AND THIS REALITY IS FACED BY ALL THE HOSPITALS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, UTILITY COMPANIES, OUR OWN POLICE FORCE, THE COUNTY, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, FIRMS. YOU WANT TO GET THE BEST TALENT IN AMERICA, YOU COMPETE WITH THE OTHER EMPLOYERS WHO WANT THE EXACT SAME THING.

AND SO IF YOU DON'T PAY COMPETITIVELY, THEN YOU END UP WITH WHAT YOU DESERVE.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO RIGHT-SIZE OUR COMPETITIVENESS AND I'M GOING TO VOTE YES ON THIS ONE. I WILL ALSO REMIND MY CONSTITUENTS THAT WE PUT THIS UP FOR A VOTE. WE ASKED THEM AND THE

[03:40:04]

AND SO, ERIK, MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU IS TO DO WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND WHAT YOU'VE PROMISED ME BEFORE AND THAT IS WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR PARKING GARAGES, WHO SWEEP THE ALAMODOME, WHO TRIM THE WEEDS AND PICK UP THE TRASH.

AND EVERYBODY WHO GETS PAID BETTER THAN THEM. I'LL TELL YOU I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW A LOT OF SAN ANTONIANS WHO WEAR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO LOGO ON THEIR SHIRTS AND SOME OF THEM HAVE SIDE HUSTLES JUST TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE. IF YOU WORK FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND, YOU KNOW, CLOCK OUT AND GO HOME TO YOUR LOVED ONES AND NOT HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE OR EVEN A LIVABLE WAGE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE THE BEST CITY THAT HAS THE BEST CITY MANAGER THAT HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO PAY A THRIVEABLE WAGE AND I THINK WE CAN DO TWO THINGS AT ONE TIME. I THINK WE CAN PAY A COMPETITIVE WAGE TO OUR CITY MANAGER AND AT THE SAME TIME PAY COMPETITIVE WAGES TO EVERYBODY IN THE ORGANIZATION. AND THAT'S THE COMMITMENT I THINK EVERYBODY ON THIS COUNCIL HAS MADE. AND I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE COUNCILMEMBER WHO DOESN'T FEEL THE SAME WAY. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK TO RENEE FRIEDA FOR PUTTING TOGETHER ALL THESE OPTIONS FOR US TO CONSIDER.

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

GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M SO GLAD THAT THE VOTERS SPOKE AND REMOVED THIS CAP. I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN PELAEZ. THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

THIS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN RECRUIT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT.

AGAIN, I'M GOING TO ECHO COUNCILMAN PELAEZ. OUR CITY DESERVES THE BEST AND THAT INCLUDES THE BEST CEO FOR OUR CITY. WE'RE THE SEVEN LARGEST CITY. THE CITY MANAGER SHOULD BE PAID ACCORDINGLY.

ERIK HAS DONE GREAT WORK AND SHOULD BE COMPENSATED AS SUCH.

CEOS OF COMPANIES GET PAID FAR MORE THAN THIS. AND THE CITY MANAGER'S ROLE IS ESSENTIALLY THE CEO OF A CITY OF 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE AND MANAGES A BUDGET OF $4 BILLION. I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT ALSO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN ROCHA GARCIA STATED AND THAT IS THAT THE CITY MANAGER WORKS AT THE WILL OF CITY COUNCIL.

I ALSO DO AGREE WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT KPIS. I DON'T THINK WE NEED OUTSIDE HELP WITH THAT. I THINK US AS COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW THAT OUR RESIDENTS PINPOINT AND CITY DEPARTMENTS PINPOINT. I'M CONFIDENT THAT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ESSENTIALLY IS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COULD SET THOSE APPROPRIATE KPIS. I WILL BE IN FULL SUPPORT OF

THIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE ON CONSENT BUT NOW THAT I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I'M PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE MY ENTIRE TEN MINUTES TO GIVE A HISTORY. JALEN AND MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE IS JUST LOVING IT. SO AS A DAUGHTER OF A CITY EMPLOYEE AND AS A FORMER CITY EMPLOYEE, I KNOW HOW CITY POLITICS WORK. AND I KNOW IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD CITY MANAGERS THAT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES WERE NOT HUGE FANS OF OR WHO WORKED IN A WAY THAT WAS NOT EQUITABLE. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR CURRENT CITY MANAGER, ERIK WALSH, I HAVE SEEN CITY STAFF, 42 DEPARTMENTS, RESPOND TO THIS CITY MANAGER LIKE I HAVE NEVER SEEN. AND THIS IS 50-PLUS YEARS, Y'ALL. BECAUSE MY DAD WORKED FOR OVER 30 AND I'VE BEEN AROUND THAT LONG. SO WHEN THIS CONVERSATION HAPPENED, I WAS LIKE THIS IS GOOD AND THIS IS THE FIRST STEP BECAUSE WE NEED THIS BACK.

BECAUSE OUR LGC EMPLOYEES, OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, THEIR PAY IS ATTACHED TO WHAT WE DO FROM THE TOP DOWN. SO I WANT TO THANK AFSCME FOR COMING AND SPEAKING BECAUSE IF WE UNDER EMPLOY OUR CITY MANAGER, THAT HABIT OF UNDERPLOYING CITY STAFF

[03:45:09]

AGAIN, I AM CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH THIS CITY MANAGER AND THIS MAN TO TRY AND SEE WHERE CAN WE GET MORE DOLLARS FOR OUR CITY STAFF, WHETHER IT'S A NEW STEP PAY PLAN OR AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR DEPARTMENTS OR WHETHER IT'S USING OFF-SYSTEM SALES FOR CPS FOR A YEAR. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GET CREATIVE. WE NEED TO START AS A COUNCIL BY SAYING WE VALUE OUR CITY MANAGER AND WE NEED TO ADJUST TO THE MARKET. THE OTHER THING IS PERSONALLY I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF CORPUS CHRISTI PAYING THEIR CITY MANAGER MORE THAN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THAT'S JUST ME BUT THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING. WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE HAD CITY MANAGERS THAT HAVE NOT EARNED THEIR SALARY OR DID IT AT THE COST, MADE THEIR METRICS AT THE COST OF CITY EMPLOYEES. AND THAT HASN'T HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE. SO I'M GLAD WE'RE HERE TODAY.

I'M GLAD WE PULLED THIS ITEM TO DISCUSS THIS BUT THIS IS, AGAIN, JUST THE FIRST STEP BECAUSE WE NEED TO REALLY PROVE THE POINT THAT IF YOU WANT TO WORK FOR CITY GOVERNMENT, YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AND ONE OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS DEPARTMENTS. I'M COMMITTED TO MOVING TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

I AM -- I THINK IF WE SET THIS TREND, THEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE POVERTY RATE IN SAN ANTONIO, WHICH I'M FULLY SURE IS 20% -- AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT FEMALE -- THAT STARTS BY SAYING WE VALUE OUR EMPLOYEES. AND WE WILL NOT UNDEREMPLOY AND WE WILL START FROM THE TOP BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO EVEN OUR CONTRACTORS, IF WE CAN DO THAT. I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY.

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

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I SUPPORTED PROPOSITION C LARGELY BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE TERM LIMITS ON THE CITY MANAGER. I WORRIED THAT THAT STIPULATION WOULD INHIBIT US FROM FINDING AND KEEPING THE BEST CITY MANAGER POSSIBLE, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN A STRONG MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT WAS THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN MY SUPPORT. HOWEVER, I MAINTAIN THE BELIEF THAT TYING CITY MANAGER'S PAY TO THAT OF THE LOWEST-PAID CITY EMPLOYEE HELPS US KEEP AN EYE ON PAY EQUITY AND FAIR WORKING STANDARDS IN OUR ORGANIZATION. I HAVE BEEN CLEAR IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF ERIK GETTING FAIR COMPENSATION, WHICH IN THIS CONTEXT INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. WITH THAT I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND CONCERNS. NUMBER ONE BEING CONSISTENCY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

WE DID A MARKET STUDY FOR THE REST OF THE POSITIONS IN THE CITY AND PROVIDED RAISES TO THOSE WHERE THERE WAS A MARKET DISPARITY. SO AFTER THE MARKET STUDY FOR CITY STAFF WAS COMPLETE, WHEN DID EMPLOYEES SEE THAT REFLECTED IN THEIR PAY? WAS IT IMMEDIATE OR INCREMENTAL? I DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO

ANSWER THAT. >> WE WORKED ON IT THROUGHOUT ONE FISCAL YEAR AND THEN PRESENTED IT AS PART OF OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL. THEY RECEIVED IT AT THE

START OF THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: OKAY.

THE STUDY WAS COMPLETED SOMETIME IN JANUARY AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE FELT IT UNTIL

OCTOBER? >> THE STUDY WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR US TO PRESENT TO YOU FOR BUDGET DELIBERATIONS IN THE SUMMER TO BE ADOPTED IN OCTOBER.

>> WALSH: COUNCILMAN, I DIDN'T WANT TO PUNCH IN ON THIS ITEM BUT LET ME ADD THE MARKET ADJUSTMENTS WE DID MID-YEAR IN APRIL AND WE MADE THEM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE BEING COMPETITIVE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS WE WERE HAVING CHALLENGES.

WHERE WE NEED TO, WE DO THEM IMMEDIATELY WITHIN BUDGET AND WE SHIFTED FUNDS WITHIN.

AND THEN FROM A PLANNING PERSPECTIVE WE FOLD THEM INTO THE BUDGET.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SO WE DID A MARKET ADJUSTMENT MID-YEAR IN APRIL AND THEN WE DID THE FULL ADJUSTMENT AT THE START OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> WALSH: YES, SIR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A ROUGHLY $100,000 INCREASE AND WE EXIST IN THE CONTEXT OF A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT AND IT SEEMS FOR EVERY SERVICE WE WANT TO PROVIDE, WHETHER IT'S AN INSULIN COST SHARE PROGRAM

[03:50:02]

>> WALSH: AS I UNDERSTAND, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS AS OF JANUARY 1.

IT WILL BE LESS THAN THAT THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR. AND OBVIOUSLY WE'LL HAVE TO WORK WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE BUDGET. WE DO OUR MID-YEAR BUDGET ORDINANCE TO THE COUNCIL WHERE WE UPDATE ALL THE DEPARTMENTAL BASED ON SPENDING. THESE TYPES OF TRANSACTIONS ARE HAPPENING ALL THE TIME IN AN ORGANIZATION OUR SIZE. WE'LL LOOK AT THAT AS WE DO THE MID-YEAR AND SEE WHERE

WE'RE AT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: OKAY. I CANNOT CONTEXTUALIZE THE EXISTING NUMBER, $370,000. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN A SINGLE YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT $461,000 LOOKS LIKE IN A SINGLE YEAR. SINCE I STARTED WORKING WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD, I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE CUMULATIVE MADE $370,000.

SO IT'S HARD FOR ME TO RELATE TO THAT AND SEE IT AND FEEL LIKE, OH, WE NEED TO PAY OUR CITY MANAGER MORE BECAUSE IT'S FAIR. WHAT I CAN RELATE TO IS THE MAKING $7 AN HOUR, MAKING $15 AN HOUR. MAKING A TEACHER'S SALARY AND TO THIS POINT NOW. AND SO I SAY ALL THAT BECAUSE I HEAR THE COUNCIL MEMBER SAY WE CAN DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE. WE CAN PAY THE CITY MANAGER AND EMPLOYEES MORE. THE PROBLEM IS WE DON'T AND WE DON'T DO IT WITH NEARLY THE SAME URGENCY AS THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M GOING TO VOTE YES TODAY AND I'M GOING TO ECHO THE SENTIMENT FROM AFSCME THAT WE WANT TO SEE EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE, INCLUDING OUR CITY MANAGER PAID FAIRLY. IN COMPARISON TO THE MARKET.

AND BUT WE ALSO NEED TO GET TO A LIVABLE WAGE. IT'S MORE THAN THE $20, MORE THAN THE $22 AN HOUR. I CAST MY VOTE WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE AND SIGNAL TO ERIK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY. I ALSO WANT US TO SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS. WE NEED TO REDUCE VACANCIES ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS.

THAT'S A PROBLEM WE CONTINUE TO HAVE AND I THINK A PART OF THAT INCLUDES A LIVABLE WAGE, WHICH WE'RE NOT AT CURRENTLY. IT INCLUDES CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT GO TO THE ORIENTATIONS AND YOU MAKE THAT EFFORT. I WANT THAT TO CONTINUE.

I WANT YOU TO WORK THROUGH ISSUES AT PUBLIC WORKS, WHICH IS NOT A RAZI OR DIRECTOR-LEVEL PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING STRUCTURAL THAT IS GOING TO TAKE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF THOUGHT AND EFFORT. I WANT SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR. IT ALSO INCLUDES IMPROVED LIVE RELEASE RATES AT ACS.

THE EUTHANASIA RATE IS HORRIBLE. I KNOW WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE DANGEROUS AND ROAMING ANIMALS BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE THERE.

IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACILITIES AND OUR CAPACITY. AND THERE'S A RESISTANCE TO IMPROVING THERE. AND SO THERE ARE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE THAT I EXPECT SOMEONE MAKING HALF A MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO WORK TO SOLVE AT A RATE WE'RE AT FASTER NOW. I SEE THE NODDING AND I SEE YOU'RE IN AGREEMENT.

OVER THIS YEAR I THINK MY EXPECTATIONS ARE GOING TO BE IMPROVED -- INCREASING A

BIT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT TODAY, WHILE WE COULD SIT HERE AND DISCUSS THE MERITS OF HOW ERIK IS PERFORMING, WHICH I THINK HE'S BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB. WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT A MARKET-RATE INCREASE.

WHEN WE SAW THE COMPARISON OF WHAT OTHER CITY MANAGERS GET PAID THROUGHOUT THE STATE, I WAS PRETTY SHOCKED TO SEE THAT -- AND COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN MENTIONED -- CORPUS CHRISTI. THEIR BUDGET IS LESS THAN A BILLION DOLLARS.

OUR CITY BUDGET IS $4 BILLION. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE TALENT THAT CAN ACTUALLY DO A GREAT JOB AND DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED THAT WE NEED TO DO AND WORK ON COLLECTIVELY, WE HAVE TO HAVE STRONG TALENT IN THOSE POSITIONS. AND I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENT AROUND THE URGENCY OF THIS BUT QUITE FRANKLY WE HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING MARKET RATE TO OUR CITY MANAGER FOR SIX YEARS AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ADJUST THAT SO WE CAN RETAIN TALENT. IF WE AREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT AT THE LEADERSHIP, THE CITY MANAGER, ALL OF THE ASSISTANTS SITTING THERE DON'T SEE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AND WILL QUITE FRANKLY LEAVE, LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER ONES IN CITIES AROUND THE STATE HAVE. SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ADJUSTING FOR ERIK, IT'S

[03:55:01]

BUT THEN ALSO ADDED TO THE FOLKS IN OUR CITY STAFF DEPARTMENTS.

BECAUSE IF WE ADD IN MAYBE A COMMUNITY OPINION, PERCEPTION FOR PUBLIC WORKS, I THINK WOULD BE REALLY GREAT. WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT OUR CITY STAFF ALSO CAN SEE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PERFORMANCE PAY BASED ON METRICS THAT OUR COMMUNITY CARES ABOUT.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ADD. BUT ALSO FOR THIS RIGHT NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IF WE WANT TO HAVE GREAT TALENT IN OUR CITY AND RETAIN IT SO THAT WE CAN BE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WE KNOW WE CAN BE, GIVEN THE CONVERSATION WE JUST HAVE, WE HAVE TO PAY THEM AT LEAST AT WHAT THE MARKET IS SAYING

WE SHOULD. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR.

SO SO, YOU KNOW, I ALSO VOTED AGAINST A PAY RAISE FOR ALL OF US SITTING UP HERE. AND AS IT TURNS OUT, THE VOTERS RAISED OUR PAY.

I THINK TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $30,000 EACH AND A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR THE MAYOR.

SO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS UP HERE -- WELL, OUR NEXT MAYOR.

SORRY, RON. YOU KNOW, SO WE'RE TALKING 300, $350,000 GOING TO COUNCIL PAY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IT IS THAT THE VOTERS SAID AND THEY KNEW I THINK WITH THEIR VOTES, AS HAS BEEN STATED EARLIER, THAT THEIR VOTE WAS GOING TO RESULT IN A PAY RAISE FOR THE CITY MANAGER. AND I LOOK AT THE WORK THAT ERIK DOES ON A DAILY BASIS. AND, YOU KNOW, THE OLD EXPRESSION FIRST ONE HERE AND LAST ONE TO LEAVE, I THINK THAT SUMS IT UP WITH OUR CITY MANAGER.

WHAT A JOB HE HAS TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE 11 OF US UP HERE AND ALL THE DIFFERENT AGENDAS AND POLICY, YOU KNOW, DESIRES THAT EACH OF US HAVE.

IT IS A TOUGH, TOUGH JOB. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THIS. I THINK WE ALL AGREE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS AS A CITY. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO MUCH, MUCH BETTER IN MY OPINION. BUT ERIK AND HIS TEAM, THEY HAVE TO PHYSICAL THE DIRECTION OF COUNCIL. IT'S OUR POLICIES THAT THEY'RE TO EXECUTE. AND I CERTAINLY DON'T AGREE WITH THINGS AND YOU ALL DON'T AGREE WITH THINGS BUT ERIK AND HIS TEAM, IT'S BEEN MY OBSERVATION OVER THE PAST 20 MONTHS, ERIK AND HIS TEAM GO ABOUT TRYING TO EXECUTE WHAT WE PUT FORTH TO THEM IN A DILIGENT MANNER. THEY WORK HARD AND I HAVE YET TO MEET A CITY EMPLOYEE THAT DOESN'T JUST RAVE ABOUT ERIK WALSH'S LEADERSHIP. AND SOMEBODY HERE SAID IT EARLIER. IF WE WANT TO GO WHERE WE CAN GO -- AND I BELIEVE THIS CITY CAN REACH NEW HEIGHTS IF WE WOULD JUST FOCUS ON THE RIGHT THINGS.

BUT IF WE WANT TO GO WHERE WE CAN GO, WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP AND I DO THINK THAT ERIK PROVIDES THAT. JACK, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ZBB, OKAY? ERIK'S BECOMING A BELIEVER. I'M ACTUALLY IN TALKS WITH ERIK ABOUT GETTING ZBB TATTOOS ON OUR LEFT SHOULDER.

SO WHEN ZBB GETS INTO PLACE AND WE START SPENDING OUR MONEY IN A MORE EFFICIENT FASHION, IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT FOR EVERYONE. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ERIK

LEADING THAT CHARGE. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS THE SOLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER WHO OPPOSED PROPOSITION C, THE SAN ANTONIO VOTERS MADE A CHOICE TO REMOVE THE PAY CAP AND THE TERM LIMITS. AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT ERIK HAS OVER 23 YEARS

[04:00:01]

IN CONVERSATION REGARDING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE US TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY HAVE A NEED IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND/OR HOUSING, THAT I'M ABLE TO POINT TO IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CITY MANAGER TO DEMONSTRATE THAT MARKET RATE ADJUSTMENT AND ONE THING THAT I'VE HIGHLIGHTED DURING PAST BUDGET DISCUSSIONS IS OFTENTIMES -- I SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOWNTOWN AND I'M LEAVING DOWNTOWN AT 11:00 IN THE EVENING AND OFTENTIMES YOU SEE ERIK AND MARIA'S CARS AND CITY STAFF WORKING LATE INTO THE EVENING AND ACKNOWLEDGING Y'ALL WORK WELL OVER EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND Y'ALL ARE HERE SOMETIMES AT 8:00 A.M. OR EARLIER TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND THAT WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

ULTIMATELY I WOULD OPPOSED TO PROPOSITION C PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE REMOVAL OF THE TIE TO THE LOWEST-PAID EMPLOYEE. BUT WE HAVE HEARD AUDIO] CITY'S MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE LOWEST-PAID EMPLOYEES AND ADDRESSING COMPRESSION. IN TERMS OF A POLICY TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE TOWARDS INCREASING THE PAY FOR OUR CITY'S LOWEST-PAID EMPLOYEES, COULD COUNCIL CHOOSE TO ADOPT A POLICY OUTSIDE OF THE CITY CHARTER TO ENSURE THAT THE LOWEST-PAID COSA EMPLOYEE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR COMPENSATION RAISED AS WELL?

>> SEGOVIA: THE ANSWER IS YES, COUNCILWOMAN. THE COUNCIL HAS THAT

PREROGATIVE UNDER THE CHARTER. >> CASTILLO: SO OUTSIDE

THE CHARTER WE CAN EXPLORE THAT? >> SEGOVIA: YES.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION, ANDY. MY LAST QUESTION, IN TERMS OF THE MARKET STUDY ANALYSIS THAT'S BEEN CONDUCTED, DOES THAT INCLUDE LGC EMPLOYEES AS WELL OR IS THAT LIMITED TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEES?

>> COUNCILWOMAN, INCLUDED LGC EMPLOYEES AS WELL. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, RENEE. SIMILAR TO MY COLLEAGUES, WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW CITY MANAGERS ARE PAID THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS IS A MARKET-RATE ADJUSTMENT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A COUPLE OF CITY MANAGERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EARNING MORE THAN OUR SITTING CITY MANAGER WORKED AND HAD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I THINK THAT DEMONSTRATES THE RISK OF LOSING TALENT TO OTHER CITIES BECAUSE OF THE COMPENSATION.

AGAIN, I WAS OPPOSED TO THIS BUT THE VOTERS MADE THEIR DECISION BY REPEALING THE CHARTER. SO THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON 19? HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 19. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

JUST A BRIEF POINT OF PROCEDURAL NOTE HERE. THIS IS STILL OUR A SESSION.

WE'VE GOT ANOTHER BIG ITEM TO ADDRESS. I KNOW SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR QUITE A WHILE. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, CONSIDERING THAT WE HAVE A 2:00 P.M. ZONING MEETING AS WELL, I'M GOING TO OPEN ITEM 23. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR ITEM 23. WE'RE GOING TO RECESS AFTER THAT, OPEN UP OUR ZONING MEETING AT 2:00, AND THEN AFTER ZONING WE'LL RESUME THE COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON ITEM 23. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO EVERYBODY? THAT WAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME CAN DEPART IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO BUT WE CAN KEEP BUSINESS MOVING. SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START

WITH ITEM 23. >> CLERK: ITEM 23 IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AMENDMENTS TO THE WESTSIDE AND HOUSTON STREET TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONES, TIRZ, AND APPROVING THE RESPECTIVE FINANCE PLANS.

THE AMENDMENTS TO THE WESTSIDE TIRZ INCLUDE EXTENDING THE TERM FROM 2032 TO 2060, INCREASING THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION RATE FROM 90% TO 100% AND REMOVING 17 PARCELS FROM THE BOUNDARY. THE AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ, INCLUDE EXTENDING THE TERM FROM 2034 TO 2060 AND ADDING 17

[04:05:06]

PARCELS TO THE BOUNDARY. >> VIAGRAN: DO WE NEED A PRESENTATION? WE DON'T NEED A PRESENTATION SO WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE SPEAKERS.

EVERYONE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES EACH. WE'LL BEGIN WITH GAGE

WILLIAMS. >> HOUSTON: STAFF DOES HAVE A PRESENTATION.

>> VIAGRAN: DO WE NEED THE PRESENTATION? WE DON'T NEED THE PRESENTATION. DOES ANYBODY NEED THE PRESENTATION?

OKAY. >> GAVITO: WE'LL START WITH PUBLIC COMMENT.

I'M GOING TO CALL UP GAGE WILLIAMS FOLLOWED BY JAKE TUCKER.

>> I KNOW GAGE IS GONE. >> GAVITO: GAGE IS GONE? JAKE TUCKER FOLLOWED BY

GRACIELA SANCHEZ. >> JAKE TUCKER WITH PUEBLO OVER PROFIT, DISTRICT 3 .

VOTE NO TO MOVING THE PARCELS TO THE HOUSTON TIRZ. IN 2017, WITH THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE MISSION TRAILS RESIDENTS, THEN-COUNCILMEMBER NIRENBERG SAID, QUOTE, WHAT THE MISSION TRAILS VOTE HAS SHOWN IS THAT CLEARLY DIDN'T HAVE PROTECTIONS. AND ON ONE OF MY PRIORITIES IS A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING POLICY TO PREVENT SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN THE FUTURE, UNQUOTE.

WITH THAT SENTIMENT AMONG MANY OF THE CONCERNS AND CONSIDERATION, THIS CITY DEVELOPED AND PASSED THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

IN IT WAS THE STIPULATION THAT PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD NOT BE OFFERED TO PLANNING, WHICH WILL CAUSE DISPLACEMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESIDENTS.

SO THE SHIP -- IN THIS CASE THE SHIP FAILED ITS FIRST SERIOUS CHALLENGE WITH THE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS BASEBALL STADIUM AND MANY OTHER POWERFUL PLAYERS IN THE CITY. NOW YOU'RE VOTING FOR TRANSFERRING VALUABLE LAND PARCELS FROM THE WESTSIDE TIRZ TO HOUSTON TIRZ AS DEMANDED BY YOUR FAVORITE OLIGARCH. THEY ARE GIVING THE TIRZ THE LARGEST CUT OF THE MONEY. WHY WASN'T IT DONE BEFORE? BECAUSE IT WASN'T GRAHAM WESTON'S PRIORITY BEFORE? WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT USED TO PROVIDE FOR PEOPLE'S NAILS RATHER THAN RESIDENT DISPLACEMENT. WE ARE FRUSTRATED AND TIRED OF THE CORRUPTION WHERE THE RICH GET WHATEVER THEY WANT AND WE WILL LITERALLY GET PUT OUT IN THE STREET IF THAT IS WHAT IS REQUIRED. SHAME ON THIS BODY FOR THE

BOUGHT AND SOLD NATURE OF THIS POLICYMAKING. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MR. TUCKER. NEXT UP IS GRACIELA SANCHEZ FOLLOWED BY ERIN HAHN.

>> I THINK BELLE GALVAN WAS GOING TO SPEAK AND SHE WAS GOING TO GIVE HER TIME TO ME

>> GAVITO: OH, ISABEL GALVAN. GOT IT.

THANK YOU. YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES -- FOUR MINUTES.

JUST KIDDING. FOUR MINUTES. >> BACK IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER I CAME BEFORE YOU TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE PROPOSED BASEBALL STADIUM THAT WOULD CAUSE DISPLACEMENT OF 6 TO 700 INDIVIDUALS LIVING AT THE SOAP FACTORY APARTMENTS. TRULY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO.

THERE WAS NOT ANY REAL DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE TENANTS OF SOAP FACTORY. BUT THERE WERE DEFINITELY MEETINGS TAKING PLACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH DEVELOPERS OF WESTERN URBAN AND THE BASEBALL TEAM.

TODAY YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE TO INCREASE THE RATE FROM 90 TO 100% .

THAT'S A GOOD THING. THE WESTSIDE TIRZ NEEDS THE MONEY AS IT IS ONE OF THE POOREST, IF NOT THE POOREST TIRZ IN THE CITY. HOWEVER, AS THE DOLLARS WILL INCREASE, THE WESTSIDE TIRZ IS DESTINED TO LOSE 17 PARCELS AND IN 2015 WE LOST OTHER PARCELS AS WELL. THESE PARCELS INCLUDE THE AREA WHERE THE SOAP FACTORY APARTMENT RESIDENTS LIVE. WE ALSO LOST -- IT'S A DECEPTION IN THE INFORMATION SHARED BY THE CITY STAFF THAT THESE PARCELS WILL NOT GENERATE SUBSTANTIAL TAX INCREASES. WE ALL KNOW THAT SOAP FACTORY TENANTS ARE

[04:10:02]

SADLY THE WESTSIDE TIRZ WILL LOSE OUT ON THESE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE USED FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT TO LINE THE POCKETS OF AN ALREADY WELL-FUNDED TIRZ AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS. THESE ARE PUBLIC FUNDS.

COMPARE THAT TO HOUSTON AND MIDTOWN TIRZ AND INNER CITY TIRZ THAT HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE TO USE EACH YEAR. WESTSIDE TIRZ NEEDS MORE MONEY FOR PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE WHOSE AVERAGE INCOME IS $26,000 . WE WILL NEED DOLLARS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE DISPLACED SOAP FACTORY WORKERS AS WELL THAT WESTON URBAN ISN'T PLANNING TO BUILT AND HAS NEVER BUILT DURING THEIR EXISTENCE . RAISE THE TAX RATE AND DO NOT TAKE THE 17 PARCELS AWAY FROM US. IF YOU NEED MORE DOLLARS, TAKE IT AWAY FROM WEALTHIER TIRZS. I HAVE SEEN THE CITY STAFF ASK THE WESTSIDE TIRZ FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO TO ANTE UP SOME MONEY.

WELL, HERE'S THE TIME THAT YOU CAN USE THIS PROCESS TO TAKE DOLLARS FROM ALL SIDES OF TOWN AND NOT JUST THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. I'VE SEEN ALL THESE NUMBERS BUT WHAT I SEE BY 2060, $16.8 MILLION WILL HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE WESTSIDE TIRZ COMPARED TO $72 MILLION FOR THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ. AND THEN THE CAPTURED VALUE FOR THE WESTSIDE TIRZ WILL BE $2.8 BILLION WHILE THE HOUSTON TIRZ WILL BE $7.2 BILLION. THERE'S INEQUALITY AND IF YOU'RE ABOUT EQUITY, BUDGETS, LEAVE THOSE PARCELS THERE SO AS THE INCREASE GOES UP IN TAXING IN THOSE 17 PARCELS, THAT THE WESTSIDE COMMUNITY RECEIVES THOSE MONIES.

WE HAVE MANY, MANY PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED AND WE DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE THE MOST ECONOMICALLY-SEGREGATED CITY IN THE NATION. MUCHAS GRACIAS.

[APPLAUSE] >> GAVITO: THANKS SO MUCH, MS. SANCHEZ.

NEXT UP IS ERIN HAHN FOLLOWED BY LETICIA SANCHEZ. >> MY NAME IS ERIN HAHN AND I'M READING A STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF KAYLA MIRANDA. MY NAME IS KAYLA MIRANDA.

I'M A HOUSING JUSTICE ORGANIZER AND RESIDENT OF THE WESTSIDE.

I AM OPPOSED TO MOVING ANY PORTION OF THE WESTSIDE TIRZ.

AS THE MOST ECONOMICALLY-CHALLENGED COMMUNITY IN THE CITY, WHAT POSSIBLE JUSTIFICATION CAN ANYONE HAVE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE POOR AND GIVE TO THE RICH? IF YOU LIVED IN OUR COMMUNITY YOU WOULD SEE A MILLION AND ONE MORE IMPORTANT PROJECTS OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YET YOU WANT TO PRIORITIZE RECREATION. WHAT BENEFIT WILL WE RECEIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR LOSS? HOW WILL THE RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES BENEFIT? THESE FUNDS ARE MEANT TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY. GIVING OUR REINVESTMENT FUNDS TO A BILLIONAIRE IS NOT WHAT THE TIRZ IS FOR. WHEN YOU LOOK UP THE DESKS DEFINITION OF TIRZ, IT IS A TOOL GOVERNMENTS CAN USE TO ENHANCE INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN A DEFINED AREA.

THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE USUALLY UNDERTAKEN TO PROMOTE THE VIABILITY OF EXISTING BUSINESSES AND TO ATTRACT NEW COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES TO SUCH AN AREA, WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS A TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE.

NOT ONLY WOULD THIS PROJECT CLOSE MOST OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE RENT BUT ATTRACT COMPLETELY UNAFFORDABLE BUSINESSES AND/OR LARGE CHAINS THAT DO NOT BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY WITH VERY LITTLE IF ANY INVESTMENT INTO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. IT CALLS FOR THE PERMANENT LOSS OF FUNDS COMING TO THE WESTSIDE. FURTHER DISINVESTING THE POOREST ZONE WHILE ENHANCING A HIGHER-INCOME ZONE. VOTE NO.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MS. HAHN. NEXT UP WE HAVE LETICIA SANCHEZ FOLLOWED BY ANNA

POLANCO. >> HI, LETICIA SANCHEZ AGAIN, CO-CHAIRPERSON OF THE HISTORIC WESTSIDE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION. THIS AMENDMENT -- TO SAY THAT WE OPPOSE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT TO THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. THIS AMENDMENT TO REMOVE 17 PARCELS FROM THE WESTSIDE

[04:15:03]

THE MAJORITY OF YOU ON THIS DAIS HAVE SHAMELESSLY WALKED BACK YOUR SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT OF THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN'S GOALS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC. YOUR VOTE ON THIS ORDINANCE WILL TELL RESIDENTS WHOM YOU CHOOSE TO SUPPORT. WILL IT BE DEVELOPERS OR WILL IT BE THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO WHO WILL SOON BE VOTING FOR A NEW MAYOR? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GAVITO: THANKS SO MUCH, MS. SANCHEZ. NEXT UP IS ANA POLANCO.

>> HELLO. I NEED INTERPRETATION.

INTERPRETER.

>> MY NAME IS ANA POLANCO AND I WORK FOR THE COALITION.

AND THAT IS IN THE WESTSIDE. AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE COALITION AND ALSO THE RESIDENTS OF WESTSIDE. I AM SUPPORTING WHAT GRACIELA SANCHEZ AND WHAT LETICIA SANCHEZ HAVE SAID. REFERRING TO NO SALE OF THE LOTS, OF PARCELS OF THE WEST SIDE. I AM REAFFIRMING TO HAVE AN AFFORDABLE AND DIGNIFIED HOMES IN THAT AREA OF THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

BEING HERE. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. POLANCO. OKAY. SO IT'S 1:23 AND I BELIEVE WE CAN GO AHEAD AND START THE COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW, IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION TO THAT AND SEE. IF IT EXTENDS BEYOND 2:00, WE CAN RECESS FROM THERE.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND START OUR COUNCIL DISCUSSION. BUT FIRST LET ME GET A MOTION FOR ITEM 23. IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 23? SO WE CAN BEGIN OUR COUNCIL DISCUSSION. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 23. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS A TRANSACTION OF 17 PARCELS FROM THE WESTSIDE TIRZ IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE MOU AND THE PROJECT FOR THE MISSION'S BASEBALL STADIUM DOWNTOWN . I HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO THE MOU AND WHICH IS WHY I VOTED NO FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THE PRIMARY JUSTIFICATION IN WHICH THAT THIS IS A PUBLICLY-FUNDED BASEBALL STADIUM, THE TIRZ STRUCTURE SIPHONS OFF PUBLIC DOLLARS FROM OUR CITY'S GENERAL FUND TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS LIKE STREETS, SIDEWALKS, DRAINAGE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND SO MUCH MORE. AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE 17 PARCELS, IT'S DIVESTING FROM

[04:20:05]

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW THESE SYSTEMS GET PERPETUATED, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REDLINING AND HOW THESE SYSTEMS, YOU KNOW, WERE MANIFESTED, IT'S THROUGH TRANSACTIONS LIKE WE'RE SEEING TODAY. AND THIS IS WHY I'M OPPOSED TO THE TRANSFER OF THE 17 PARCELS BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE ESSENTIALLY DOING IS PERPETUATING THE SYSTEMIC STRUCTURE OF DIVESTING FROM WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES LIKE THE WEST SIDE. AND, AGAIN, THIS ISN'T FOR AN IMPROVEMENT FOR STREETS, SIDEWALKS, OR MEETING OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOALS. THIS IS ACTUALLY TAKING US BACK FROM MEETING OUR SHIP GOALS AND THIS IS DIVESTING FROM COMMUNITIES.

ULTIMATELY, THIS CAME TO THE WESTSIDE TIRZ FOR DISCUSSION.

THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN AND THE MAJORITY OF THE WESTSIDE TIRZ MEMBERS WERE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS TRANSACTION FOR THAT REASON. THE PARCELS THAT ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ARE GOING TO SEE [INDISCERNIBLE] AMOUNT OF VALUE AND THEY'RE BEING REMOVED TO SUSTAIN THE VALUE OF THE PROJECT. I'M OPPOSED TO THIS TRANSACTION. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES VOTE NO.

WHEN WE GROUND OURSELVES IN THE LITERATURE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DISPLACEMENT, AND REDLINING WE SEE HOW OFTEN TIMES PRACTICES LIKE THIS GET FASHIONED UNDER THE GUISE OF PROJECT. WE'RE TOLD WE SHOULD BE EXCITED THERE'S BASEBALL.

ALL WHILE DIVESTING AND DIVERTING FUNDS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST. AND IF YOU WANT TO ENSURE IT, WE CAN'T DO IT BY USING LIMITED PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR LEISURE LIKE BASEBALL. SO I'M ASKING FOR MY COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT TO VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM. TO VOTE NO ON PERPETUATING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND DIVESTMENT. WHEN WE LOOK AT ANOTHER ITEM WE APPROVED TODAY, IT ESSENTIALLY REMOVED TIRZ FROM THE EASTSIDE TO SUPPORT PROJECT MARVEL. WE ARE SEEING THESE SYSTEMS PERPETUATED AND FACILITATED BY WHATEVER BUREAUCRAT PROPOSED THIS AS A SOLUTION TO FILL THE GAP FOR THE BASEBALL STADIUM. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE'RE IN THIS POSITION, THAT WE'RE PERPETUATING A HISTORY OF DIVESTING FROM MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I CAN'T BE SUPPORTIVE OF IT BECAUSE THIS IS A SHAME AND I CAN'T STAND BY DIVESTING FROM DISTRICT 5 AND WESTSIDE RESIDENTS. I UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENT IS THESE PARCELS ARE OWNED BY THE DEVELOPER OF THE BASEBALL STADIUM BUT I ARGUE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED TIRZ FUNDS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY OF CARVING OUT FUNDING JUST TO HOARD FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROJECTS. THAT IS A DISSERVICE AND WE SHOULDN'T CONTINUE TO MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR BASEBALL. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS FOR NOW.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO HEAR COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO'S CONCERNS ABOUT THESE PARCELS BEING REMOVED FROM THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. THE WESTSIDE HAS LONG BEEN NEGLECTED. AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T WANT US TO HINDER WHAT CAN BE A GOOD THING FOR BOTH THE DOWNTOWN AND WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES.

I DO HAVE -- SO WITH THAT I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. HOW WOULD THIS CHANGE IMPACT

THE MOU FOR THE BASEBALL STADIUM? >> WALSH: SO, COUNCILWOMAN, THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE MOU THAT WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THOSE 17 PARCELS AND THE INCREMENT ASSOCIATED WITH IT ARE PART OF THE OVERALL FINANCIAL STRUCTURE. SO IF THAT INCREMENT IS NOT DEDICATED IN LINE WITH THE MOU, THEN THERE'S NO BALLPARK PROJECT.

TO BE COMPLETELY STRAIGHT WITH YOU. >> GAVITO: TO BE CLEAR, IF WE VOTE TO KEEP THESE PARCELS IN THE WESTSIDE TIRZ, THEN THERE'S NO

BASEBALL PROJECT. >> WALSH: YEAH. WELL, IT GOES BACK TO THE INCREMENT. THERE'S TWO ISSUES. THE INCREMENT IS FOR ALL THE PROPERTIES AND THE 17 IS CRITICAL TO THE MOU AND THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

THE REMAINING OR THE ISSUE OF WHAT TIRZ THEY'RE IN, YOU KNOW, IT WILL ULTIMATELY PROBABLY IMPACT THE CREDIT OF THE PROPOSED FINANCING. IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE RISKIER. THOSE ARE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL ASKED BEN BACK IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT. IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT A MORE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL OR BOND FINANCING. THIS HAS GOT TO BE A

[04:25:03]

BECAUSE THEN, IN ADDITION, THE FINANCING WE'LL HAVE THROUGH TWO TIRZ BOARDS.

AND I KNOW A COUNCIL PERSON GAVE AN EXAMPLE OR MAYBE IT WAS THE SPEAKER ABOUT HOW WE HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS WITH TIRZ BEFORE AROUND EFFORTS. THOSE ARE RELATED TO OUR ANNUAL BUDGET. DOING SO IN A FINANCING IS GOING TO

>> GAVITO: THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. I DO THINK IT'S WORTH ON CONVERSATION WITH THE BASEBALL STADIUM'S TEAM TO SEE HOW WE CAN FURTHER BENEFIT THE WESTSIDE BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING OUT THESE PARCELS FROM THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. WHAT THAT BENEFIT LOOKS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH HAVING THAT CONVERSATION. I DO HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, AND I THINK THERE'S WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK TO WHERE IT CAN BENEFIT THE WESTSIDE COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL MY COMMENTS,

MAYOR. THANK YOU. >> WALSH: I KNOW WE SKIPPED OVER THE PRESENTATION, BUT IF AV CAN PULL UP SLIDE 6 AND LET ME SHARE THAT WITH THE COUNCIL. THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS HAPPENING IN THIS WALK YOU THROH THIS SLIDE. RIGHT NOW THE PROJECTED IMPACT OF THE 17 PARCELS AND IN THE '25 PHYSICAL YEAR WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE WESTSIDE TIRZ.

THE ITEM IS ALSO INCREASING FROM 90% CITY TO 100% INTO THE TIRZ, OF CITY INCREMENT TAXES AND THAT'S A POSITIVE 358. THE PROJECTED TOTAL IMPACT TO THE TIRZ IS NET AHEAD 235,000. THE CURRENT TIRZ RIGHT NOW IS LIVING THROUGH -- IS AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL THROUGH 2032.

SO THE PROJECTED TOTAL IMPACT TO THE WESTSIDE TIRZ IS NET $2 MILLION, A LITTLE OVER. THE OTHER ASPECT OF THE ITEM BEFORE YOU TODAY IS EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE TIRZ THROUGH 2060. AND WHEN YOU DO THAT MATH, WE'RE ANTICIPATING OR PROJECTING AN INCREMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL 266 -- ALMOST $267 MILLION IN THE WESTSIDE TIRZ BY A COMBINATION OF ALL THOSE THINGS.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THE 17, IT REALLY GOES BACK TO THE 100% CITY INVOLVEMENT.

AND THEN THE EXTENSION OUT TO 2060, TO ALIGN WITH THE HOUSTON STREET.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANKS YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND JUST I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE TIRZ BOARD WASN'T ALLOWED TO TAKE ACTION.

AND SO CAN YOU MAYBE, LORI, HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW MANY TIMES DOES THE BOARD TIRZ EITHER VOTE DOWN OR NOT TAKE ACTION AND IT COMES STRAIGHT TO CITY COUNCIL AND HOW IS

THAT SELECTED? >> IT'S ACTUALLY BY STATE LAW.

STATE LAW GIVES THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE A TIRZ TO EXTEND THE TIRZ TERMS, TO AMEND ITS BOUNDARIES. AND THE PARTICIPATION RATE, THAT ALL RESIDES WITH THE CITY. WE DO THAT BEFORE WE EVEN CREATE A TIRZ BOARD.

AND SO PER STATE LAW, IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL THAT CREATED THAT TIRZ BE THE ONE TAKING THOSE ACTIONS. THAT'S WHY WE DID IT AS A

BRIEFING. >> GARCIA: OKAY. SO -- MAYBE THIS IS JUST I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THEN, MAYBE I JUST DIDN'T ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION.

BUT SO REMIND ME, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T APPROVE THIS TODAY?

>> IF TODAY, IF IT'S NOT APPROVED AND THE INCREMENT STAYS WITHIN THE WESTSIDE TIRZ, THE MOU IS NO LONGER AND THE BASEBALL STADIUM WILL NOT BE CONSTRUCTED.

IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. >> GARCIA: AND WE HAVE NO EXTENSION OR ANYTHING SINCE

IT'S OUR OWN MOU? >> THAT'S THE FUNDING SOURCE WE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL IN AUGUST AND THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE MOU AND THAT MOU IS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER 12, 2024, AND IN FACT IF YOU LOOK AT THAT PRESENTATION, IT TALKS ABOUT US COMING BACK WITH THE TIRZ BOARD AMENDMENTS -- THE TIRZ AMENDMENTS NECESSARY.

>> GARCIA: WHAT ABOUT -- MAYBE I DO NEED THE PRESENTATION.

SORRY TO DO THIS TO MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I JUST -- I GUESS ASSUMED THAT THE BOARD

[04:30:03]

>> WALSH: IT'S NOT A LONG ONE, MAYOR. >> GARCIA: PERFECT.

THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> SO FIRST CITY COUNCIL APPROVED AN MOU WITH DESIGNATED BIDDERS WESTERN URBAN, CITY AND COUNTY THAT FACILITATES THE INSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE BASEBALL STADIUM. IF THAT MOU IT IDENTIFIED HOW WE WERE FINANCING, PART OF IT REQUIRED AMENDMENTS TO DO WESTSIDE TIRZ AND TO HOUSTON STREET TIRZ TO BE ABLE TO ISSUE THE DEBT NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE BASEBALL STADIUM.

THE BASEBALL FACILITY IS -- STADIUM IS WITHIN THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ AND IT'S ON THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF DOWNTOWN NEAR SAN~PEDRO CREEK AND NEAR FOX TECH, AND SAISD APPROVED THE MOU ON MONDAY THAT WOULD FACILITATE THIS PROJECT.

NOW, THE ESTIMATION COST OF THE BALLPARK IS 160 MILLION. THE PLAN WAS USE THE TEAM EQUITY AND THE REST WOULD BE FINANCED THROUGH THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ IN ADDITION TO TEAM REVENUES. WE MENTIONED THE TEAM REVENUES WOULD BE -- REVENUES WOULD BE A GIFT FROM THE TEAM. THE LEASE REVENUES, LOOKING AT PID AND MMD, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WOULD HELP FINANCE IT.

BUT THE REMAINING IS GOING TO BE DONE THROUGH A PLEDGE OF TIRZ REVENUES FROM THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ THAT WOULD BE REPAID THROUGH THE TEAM REVENUES AND INCREMENTAL REVENUES IN DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE 1 AND 2.

PHASE 1 AND PHASE 2 TOTALED A BILLION DOLLARS. PHASE 1 IS ABOUT 500 MILLION. THAT WILL BE DONE BY 2029. AND THOSE -- THAT INCREMENT WHICH IS BEING GUARANTEED BY THE TEAM OWNERSHIP IS WHAT'S GOING TO BE USED TO SERVICE DEBT FOR THOSE BONDS. NOW, YOU CAN SEE THOSE 17 PARCELS.

THOSE ARE THE 17 PARCELS THAT WILL BE MOVED FROM THE WESTSIDE TO THE HOUSTON STREET. THESE WERE INCLUDED IN THE MOU.

AND IN EXCHANGE FOR MOVING THESE 17 PARCELS, WE KNEW THERE WAS A LOSS, SO WE'RE INCREASING PARTNERS RATE FROM 90 TO 100% THAT CREATES A NET GAIN FOR THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. THEN WE'RE INCREASING THE TERM, NORMALLY 2032 TO 2060, BENEFIT FROM AN ADDITIONAL 28 YEARS OF INCREMENT. WHAT THAT RESULTS IN IS YOU CAN SEE THE IMPACT RIGHT NOW BY REMOVING THOSE ITEMS WAS 123,000.

NOW, BY EXTENDING THE PARTICIPATION RATE FROM 90 TO 100, THAT PROVIDES A 358,000-DOLLAR INCREASE IN INCREMENT. SO THERE'S A NET INCREASE TO THE TIRZ OF 235,000. THE TIRZ CURRENTLY IS TO EXTEND AT 2032.

SO THAT NET INCREASE YIELDS ABOUT $2 MILLION THROUGH 2032.

BUT IF WE WERE TO GO AHEAD AND EXTEND IT LIKE WE'RE RECOMMENDING TODAY TO 2060, THAT NET INCREASES TO $266 MILLION TO THE BENEFIT OF THE WESTSIDE TIRZ.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 17 PARCELS BEING RELOCATED FROM WESTSIDE TO HOUSTON STREET, WE'RE INCREASING THE PARTICIPATION RATE BY 10% TO MAKE UP FOR THAT DECREASE, AND THEN WE'RE EXTENDING THE TERM TO 2060 AND THAT YIELDS A $266 MILLION BENEFIT TO

THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. >> GARCIA: AND THEN THE FINAL QUESTION, SO THIS CAN'T BE SUPPORTED WITHOUT THE MOVE. SO THE HOUSTON TIRZ WOULDN'T

BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT AS IS RIGHT NOW. >> CORRECT.

>> GARCIA: WHAT'S THE GAP? >> WELL, I CAN ASK -- I DON'T KNOW WHERE BEN IS, BUT THE OVERALL PROJECT IS ABOUT 160 MILLION. SO THE MAJORITY OF THAT FUNDING IS COMING THROUGH THAT GUARANTEE OF -- FOR THE 500 MILLION-DOLLAR INCREMENT THAT THE DEVELOPER IS GUARANTEEING. BUT THAT'S THE INCREMENT THAT'S BEING USED TO SUPPORT THE BASEBALL STADIUM. BEN CAN SPEAK TO THE GAP,

WHAT THAT YIELDS IN A GAP. >> COUNCILWOMAN, I CAN'T BACK INTO THE GAP PER SE, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS AS WE PUT THIS DEAL TOGETHER, AND I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO INCEPTION. HOW COULD WE COME UP WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THIS

[04:35:05]

IT WAS ALL PREMISED AND BASED ON NEW DEVELOPMENT AND THE REVENUE OFF OF THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THE FINANCING. SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BOND FINANCING AND WE TALKED ABOUT $160 MILLION PROJECT INCLUSIVE OF LAND, YOU HAVE 86% OF IT BEING PAID FOR BY THE REVENUES FROM THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, BEING PHASES 1 AND 2, THE MMD OR THE PID THAT'S GOING TO BE CREATED FOR THIS AREA OFF OF PHASES 1 AND 2'S DEVELOPMENT, AND THE $34 MILLION EQUITY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE TEAM ALONG WITH THEIR LEASE REVENUES WHICH HELP PAY FOR THE DEBT.

IF YOU CONSOLIDATE ALL OF THAT, 86% OF THE PROJECT IS COMING FROM THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT AND THE TEAM. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO, IF YOU DON'T MIND PULLING SLIDE 4 BACK UP BECAUSE I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS POINT AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

AGAIN, THE WHOLE FINANCING, THE WHOLE STRUCTURE IS PREMISED ON THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AREA THAT'S -- I GUESS THAT'S PINK OR SALMON ON THE BOTTOM, THAT'S THE WESTSIDE TIRZ.

WE HAVE A PORTION WHICH LOOKS ORANGE, IT'S REALLY YELLOW, IT'S A PORTION OF PHASE 1 THAT IS INSIDE THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. THE GUARANTEE ON THAT IS THAT THAT PORTION PLUS THE PART THAT YOU SEE LISTED, THAT HAS TO BE FINANCED AND READY TO GO INTO CONSTRUCTION AT THE SAME TIME WE ISSUE BONDS TO SUPPORT THE BALLPARK. THAT'S PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT, THE WHOLE ISSUE OF IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS, HOW DO WE GUARANTEE THERE'S GOING TO BE DEVELOPMENT. WE NEEDED IT IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE BALLPARK.

THAT PARCEL IS IN THE WESTSIDE TIRZ, WE HAVE TO GET INTO THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ. THE BLUE PORTION IS PART OF PHASE 2.

PART OF IT IS OUTSIDE THE WESTSIDE TIRZ, PART INSIDE. WE HAVE NEGOTIATED GUARANTEES THAT HAS TO BE UNDER DESIGN WHEN WE ISSUE FUNDS FOR THE BALLPARK.

PHASE 1ST CONSTRUCTION, -- PHASE 1 IN CONSTRUCTION, 2 IS IN DESIGN SO WE CAN RELY ON IT FROM A BOND FINANCING PERSPECTIVE. WE HAVE GUARANTEES FROM THE TEAM THAT GO BEYOND CONSTRUCTING THE DEVELOPMENT.

IF THERE'S A GAP, THE VALUES COME IN LESS AS VALUED BY BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT, YOU GOT TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE UNTIL IT DOES. THOSE KEY PIECES ARE WHAT UNDERPIN THIS FINANCING AND HOW WE GET TO FUNDING THE BALLPARK.

SO THE AREA IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE THAT HIGHLIGHTS THOSE PARCELS THAT WE'RE MOVING INTO THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ SO WE CAN CAPTURE THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT, PART OF THE PLEDGE TO BONDHOLDERS, PART OF HOW WE CREATE CREDIT ON THE BOND TRANSACTION SO IT'S SOMETHING MARKETABLE TO BOND INVESTORS AND SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN. ALSO HELPS US KEEP COSTS

REASONABLE TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT IS FEASIBLE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR VERONICA. GIVEN THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS TO FACILITATE THE MOU COMMITMENT APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL, CAN YOU SHARE IF REMOVING 381 UNITS OF HOUSING IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WHICH

THIS COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED? >> SO THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN DOES CALL FOR PRESERVING THE EXISTING HOUSING WE HAVE AND CREATING NEW HOUSING.

IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT ENSURING THE HOUSING IS QUALITY HOUSING AND SO WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS TO SEE ARE THEY QUALITY HOUSING, ARE THEY AFFORDABLE AND AFFORDABILITY IS DEFINED WITH WHAT KEEPS IT AFFORDABLE MONTH THE MONTH AND USUALLY THAT'S PROTECTIONS WITH EITHER RESTRICTIVE COVENANT OR

SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> CASTILLO: CAN YOU SHARE WHEW THE STRATEGIC HOUSING

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CITES ON MARKET RATE HOUSING? >> THERE IS A PROVISION THAT THE CITY INCENTIVES DON'T GO TO MARKET RATE HOUSING OR WHAT PROTECTIONS WOULD BE IN PLACE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS UP TO THE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE WHAT POLICIES WE GO BY.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. OFTENTIMES WHAT I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENCY PRIOR TO BEING IN OFFICE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT POLICIES AND FRAMEWORKS THAT WE PAID CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP AND THEN PUT ON THE SHELF. I'M GRATEFUL WITH THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENT TAKINGS PLAN FOR THE MOST PART WE'VE BEEN STICKING TO THE PLAN. BASED OFF WHAT VERONICA JUST SHARED, IT'S NOT IN

[04:40:04]

A QUESTION I RAISE IS WHY ARE WE WAITING UNTIL NOW TO INCREASE FROM 90 TO 100%.

THE WESTSIDE TIRZ HAS BEEN THE ONLY SAN ANTONIO TIRZ TO NOT BE AT 100% AND THAT'S DISAPPOINTING. I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS WHOLE PROCESS AND WHOEVER RECOMMENDED THE TIRZ, I HAVE TO SAY SHAME ON YOU WHOEVER IT WAS, SHAME ON YOU FOR PERPETUATING DIVESTMENT IN THE WESTSIDE AND CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND SYSTEMS OF

HARM. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> WALSH: LET ME HERE, THERE ARE NO INCENTIVES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT THAT WESTERN URBAN OWNS WHETHER IT'S ON THAT PROPERTY WHERE THE HOUSING IS AT NOW.

WE ARE UTILIZING THEIR INCREMENT TO FINANCE THE BASEBALL STADIUM, YES.

I DON'T WANT ANY MISUNDERSTANDING THERE ARE ANY ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES IN

THAT MOU. >> CASTILLO: I BELIEVE THE TIRZ FUNDING IS INCENTIVE.

THAT IS FUNDING THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE TO FACILITATE THIS PROJECT.

SO I DISAGREE. I HEAR YOU, BUT I DISAGREE. >> WALSH: YEAH, NO, I'M JUST TRYING TO -- IN THE CONTEXT OF INCENTIVES THAT THE CITY TYPICALLY USES, THERE ARE NONE OF THOSE INCENTIVES. I PREFACED THAT WITH NOT SPLITTING HAIRS, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: IT'S ALL SEMANTICS. WE'RE TALKING MR. THE SAME THING. THIS WILL BE A SURPRISE TO NO ONE ON COUNCIL, I'M BEEN CONSISTENT IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. YOU KNOW, LOOKINGAL THAT NUMBER ON SLIDE 6, THE $266.6 MILLION, THAT'S AN AMOUNT THAT I'M SURE COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO COULD THINK OF IN ALMOST -- OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN COUNT IT, BUT ALMOST UNCOUNTABLE NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT WOULD BRING TREMENDOUS VALUE TO OUR CONSTITUENCY AND TO FOLK WITHIN THIS AREA. AND SO AGAIN, I DISAGREE THAT IT HAD TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT -- I GUESS I WOULD LOOK TO COMMUNITIES TO DETERMINE WHAT DOES JUSTICE LOOK LIKE.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO REMOVE PARCELS FROM LAND, DOES THE PROJECTED INCREMENT LOOK LIKE JUSTICE AND I SAY NO BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE ALWAYS DONE THAT.

WE COULD HAVE ALWAYS INCREASED THAT INCREMENT AND THEY COULD HAVE ALWAYS HAD FUNDING IN THIS AMOUNT TO APPROVE THE PROJECTS AND THE TYPES -- THERE'S A NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS I KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO WANTED TO SUPPORT.

THERE'S A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION THAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING WITH THE INNERCITY TIRZ AND WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT IN THE PARCELS THAT WILL BE REMOVING WILL BE PARCELS THAT COLLECT IN INCREMENT. HERE I DO SEE HARM BEING DONE AND I'M GOING TO DEFER TO THE COUNCILWOMAN AND I'M GOING TO -- I'VE COMMITTED TO BEING AN ALLY TO COUNCILMEMBERS ON THE WESTSIDE WHO DEAL WITH MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT OCCUR ON THE EASTSIDE.

EVEN WHEN THAT SAME COURTESY IS NOT EXTENDED TO ME, BUT TODAY I WILL BE SUPPORTING

THE COUNCILWOMAN. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON

ITEM -- COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU,

MAYOR. -- COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: A COUPLE OF CLARIFYING QUESTIONS. I KNOW YOU DID THE PRESENTATION ON THIS, BUT WOULD THERE BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THE PARCELS BACK TO THE WESTSIDE

TIRZ AFTER THE YEARS OF DEBT IS COVERED? >> [INAUDIBLE] 30-YEAR DEBT, BUT ONCE THE DEBT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, YES, THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD

HAPPEN AT THAT POINT IN TIME. >> KAUR: OKAY.

AND THE REASON WHY YOU GUYS -- CLARIFY ONE FOR TIME THE REASON YOU CHOSE THE

HOUSTON STREET TIRZ INSTEAD OF THE WESTSIDE TIRZ. >> THE BALLPARK IS WITHIN THE HOUSTON STREET TIRZ ALONG WITH A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE NEW PRIVATE

[04:45:04]

DEVELOPMENT. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, BEN. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS THAT CAME OUT TO SPEAK AND THIS IS THE FINANCING INSTRUMENT THAT IS GOING TO GO INTO THIS ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT. SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COUNCILWOMAN IS SAYING, BUT THIS IS DEBT THAT IS BEING ISSUED AND THIS IS FOLLOWING UP THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR ABOUT HOW THIS ENTIRE PROJECT WAS GOING TO CONTINUE. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY ONE POINT MADE ABOUT THE STIPENDS FOR THE SOAP FACTORY RESIDENTS. THAT IS A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, PRIVATELY OWNED AND THIS GOES BACK TO THE EARLIER CONVERSATION WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO LAND BANK AND MAKE SURE THERE'S ACTUAL OWNERSHIP OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LONG-TERM SO THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED ON THE BACK END.

BUT THIS IS A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT SO THERE'S NO -- THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT -- WHATEVER HAPPENS TO THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BASEBALL STADIUM, THE CITY CANNOT CONTROL. IF THERE IS NO BASEBALL STADIUM, THOSE RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN THAT ADDITIONAL RELOCATION STIPEND AND MORE THAN LIKELY THE DEVELOPER WILL CHOOSE WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO WITH THAT SPACE ANYWAY. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, AGAIN, WE THINK ABOUT WHAT IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEAN AND HOW DO WE ON ENSURE WE ARE DOING BOTH.

WE CAN HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CREATE MORE HOUSING SUPPLY AS WE MOVE

FORWARD. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 23? HEARING NONE, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 23.

PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ERIK, DO WE HAVE A CITY

MANAGER REPORT? >> WALSH: IT'S JUST ONE ITEM.

ARE YOU HERE, NORMA? ALL RIGHT, WE'LL DEFER IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AT -- EXCUSE ME, 1:52 P.M. ON DECEMBER 19, 2024, OUR A SESSION IS ADJOURNED.

FOLKS ARE HERE FOR THE 2:00 ZONING SESSION. COUNCIL

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.