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>> CASTILLO: GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THE TIME IS NOW 2:06 P.M. ON THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 23. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
[Approval of Minutes ]
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE. WE CAN NOW MOVE INTO ITEM NO. 1 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. CAN WE ALL PLEASE TAKE A VOTE?
[Public Comments ]
>> AYE. >> CASTILLO: ANY OPPOSITION? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. WE CAN NOW MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT. PUBLIC COMMENTERS WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE ITEM THAT THEY HAVE SIGNED UP FOR. WE CAN BEGIN WITH TIM WESLEY. TIM WESLEY? ANITA.
ANITA? PATRICK VAN DOLAN. LAURA MOLINA.
YOU CAN APPROACH THE PODIUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> HELLO.
GOOD AFTERNOON. COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE, MY NAME IS LAURA MOLINA AND I'M IS CO-FOUNDER AND COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THE COMMITTEE'S SUPPORT IN EXPANDING DOWNSTREAM FUNDING FOR THE SAN ANTONIO REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND. IF WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO APPLY FOR THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WE WOULD ADVOCATE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT A COLLABORATIVE PROPOSAL ALONGSIDE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS OF THE RFP.
SUCH A COLLABORATIVE PROPOSAL WOULD ENABLE US TO NAVIGATE SOME OF THE BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS THAT WE ENCOUNTERED IN THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION PROCESS WHILE LEVERAGING THE STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THE URGENCY OF THIS FUNDING CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. WHEN PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO KEEP THEIR PREGNANCIES, THEY ARE NOT PREPARED OR ABLE TO CONTINUE.
FATALITIES AND TRAGEDIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL ENSUE. THIS PAST TUESDAY MORNING AT 3:00 A.M. A NEWBORN BABY WAS FOUND WITH ITS UMBILICAL CORD STILL ATTACHED AND IT WAS FOUND OUTSIDE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THIS TRAGEDY UNDERSCORES THE DIRE CONSEQUENCES OF BANS ON REPRODUCTIVE CARE AND THE CRITICAL NEED FOR EDUCATION AND SUPPORT AROUND ALL PREGNANCY OPTIONS, INCLUDING ABORTION.
OUR UNDOCUMENTED CLIENTS ARE LIVING IN A HEIGHTENED STATE OF FEAR DUE TO THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS TARGETING IMMIGRANTS. PREGNANT WOMEN ARE UNSURE IF IT'S SAFE TO ATTEND THEIR APPOINTMENTS AND FAMILIES ARE AFRAID TO DROP OFF THEIR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL. THIS IS TRUE. WE JUST HEARD THAT THIS MORNING. THIS FEAR IS NOT ONLY JEOPARDIZING THEIR IMMEDIATE HEALTH AND SAFETY BUT CREATING BARRIERS TO ACCESSING THE ESSENTIAL CARE THAT THEY NEED. THE TIME TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IS NOW.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL AND MAY FEAR THE POTENTIAL THREATS OF LITIGATION.
HOWEVER, OUR COMMUNITY IS CALLING UPON YOU AS OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO DEMONSTRATE THE COURAGE AND COMMITMENT NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS VITAL
SUPPORT IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
ERICA GALINDO. ERICA? YANETH FLORES.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS YANETH FLORES. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FUNDING FOR ABORTION CARE THROUGH THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND THAT YOU ALL ESTABLISHED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR 2024.
REALLY BECAUSE WE NEED IT. WE'RE IN A MANUFACTURED PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES WITH A RISING HUMAN COST. THERE ARE MANY TEXANS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES DUE TO THE TOTAL ABORTION BAN IN OUR STATE. THE STATE HAS ALLOWED A VERY SPECIAL TYPE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND JUST A WEEK AGO OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN D.C. TO LET US KNOW THAT HIM AND HIS ALLIES WILL BE USING A NEW TACTIC TO ENFORCE THE TEXAS ABORTION BANS THAT ARE VERY HARD TO IMPLEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE FEAR OF GOD THAT THEY'VE PUT INTO PEOPLE.
HE HAS SHARED WITH US THAT THEY WILL RELEASE AN AGGRESSIVE ONLINE CAMPAIGN
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WORKING TO EMPOWER ABUSIVE PARTNERS TO TURN FOLKS IN SEEKING ABORTION CARE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THIS IS TERRIFYING BECAUSE THE STATE HAS ALREADY CREATED A LOT OF CONFUSION WITHIN THE CONSTITUENTS OF OUR STATE.PEOPLE ARE VERY UNCLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE LAW IS AND HOW THEY CAN SEEK THE ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED. EVEN HERE AT CITY HALL WE HAD A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT WAS LEGAL AND WHAT WAS NOT IN TERMS OF ABORTION CARE. IN OUR STATE IT IS LEGAL TO GO OUT OF STATE FOR AN ABORTION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE NOW AND WHAT THEY WERE WORKING TOWARDS IS STATE-SANCTIONED REPRODUCTIVE -- SAN ANTONIO HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THE STATE.
IT'S EVIDENT THAT WE NEED SUPPORT AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE EMPOWERED, THAT THEY FEEL SUPPORTED, AND THAT DESPITE THE LEGISLATION THAT THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH -- BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BRING SOME MORE HORRORS.
IT'S A SYMBOL THAT YOU STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THEM AND THAT YOU CARE FOR THEM.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. JACK FINGER. >> MADAME CHAIR, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. YEAH.
A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS BEFORE ME, A LADY CAME UP AND CITED THAT INCIDENT ABOUT THAT POOR BABY THAT WAS FOUND IN THE SNOW TODAY OR YESTERDAY. BY HER ACCOUNT, THE WAY SHE SPEAKS IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT BABY SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT TO LIE THERE IN THE SNOW AND DIE. OR HAVE THE OFFICIALS SIMPLY THROW IT IN SOME NEARBY DUMPSTER. I MEAN, I KID YOU NOT. THIS IS THE ATTITUDE SHE WAS GIVING US. YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SO-CALLED PARAMETERS OF THIS -- WELL, THIS PROPOSAL TO ALLOW WOMEN TO, WELL, KILL THEIR BABIES.
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ABORTION TRAFFICKING. YEAH.
WELL, THAT SIMPLY FLIES IN THE FACE OF OUR STATE LAW NOW, AS YOU PROBABLY ARE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH, AND THE QUESTION IS ONCE YOU APPROVE THIS MONEY AND SOMEBODY STARTS TRAFFICKING WOMEN TO ANOTHER STATE TO KILL THEIR BABIES, WELL, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON STARTS SUING US AND SUCCEEDS IN SUING US.
AND WE THE CITY HAVE TO SHELL OUT MONEY FOR. IS IT GOING TO COME FROM TAXPAYERS OR YOU GUYS WHO APPROVE THIS THING? ABOUT $20,000 EACH COMING OUT OF YOUR POCKET. I THINK THAT'S PRETTY NICE. YEAH, THAT'S DECENT.
I MEAN, IT'S ONLY FAIR. YOU DON'T WANT US RECTIFYING YOUR MISTAKES NOW, DO YOU? YEAH. WELL, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU REALLY WANT
[Briefing and Possible Action on ]
TO DO ON THIS ONE. THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
THAT IS ALL WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A
PRESENTATION PRESENTED BY DR. CLAUDE JACOB. >> THANK YOU.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE, DR. CLAUDE JACOB, DIRECTOR OF METRO HEALTH. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS UPDATE SINCE OUR LAST FORMAL BRIEFING HELD IN OCTOBER RELATED TO THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH INITIATIVES. TODAY WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW TO ASSIST YOU IN THE LATEST REQUEST ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL. THIS PRESENTATION OUTLINES THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE AND SOME FACTORS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS WE RESPOND TO THE REQUEST TO ADD DOWNSTREAM REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR VENDORS AND LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. I'M JOINED THIS AFTERNOON BY DR. ANITA KURIAN AS WELL AS TROY ELLIOTT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT. WE'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS YOU HAVE FOLLOWING MY SHORT PRESENTATION.
FINALLY, I DO WANT TO ADD A SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. WU FOR ANCHORING THIS EFFORT AT OUR DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, THIS YOU'VE SEEN A SLIDE LIKE THIS BEFORE.
THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE, WE HAVE UPDATED THIS SLIDE SINCE YOU HAVE SEEN THIS LAST FALL. GIVEN WHAT'S BEING DONE IN OTHER LARGE CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE -- AND YOU HAVE HEARD SOME COMMENTARY -- GIVEN THE TRANSITION WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION THIS WEEK, THIS SITUATION REMAINS VERY FLUID ACROSS A MYRIAD OF JURISDICTIONS.
SO THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT. IT'S NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, REFLECTING CUMULATIVE
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AMOUNTS BASED ON OUR OWN RESEARCH. THE AMOUNTS SHOWN REFER ONLY TO ITEMS PASSED AS EITHER PART OF A REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PACKAGE, FUNDING FOR HEALTH EDUCATION, AS OB/GYN ACCESS EXISTS ACROSS VARIOUS BUDGETS, PROGRAMS, AND INITIATIVES. THERE MAY BE A VARIETY OF FUNDING STREAMS TO SUPPORT THESE RELATED ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUND LIKE LOCAL TAXES OR THE GENERAL FUND OR AREA FOUNDATIONS. THIS SNAPSHOT IS SIMPLY INTENDED TO ILLUSTRATE THE RAREST LEVELS OF COMMITMENT AND INVESTMENTS ACROSS VARIOUS CITIES AND SOME COMMON AREAS OF ALIGNMENT. LOOKING AT PRIMARY PREVENTION EFFORTS ANCHORED TO HELP EDUCATION, IMPROVE ACCESS TO WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND CARE AS WELL AS ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE CARE NAVIGATION OR OUT OF STATE TRAVEL. FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTIN ALLOCATED $150,000 FOR ABORTION ACCESS IN FISCAL YEAR 2020 AND $400,000 IN FY '24. THAT LINE ITEM IS REFLECTED ON THIS SLIDE.IT'S A ROLL UP. HARRIS COUNTY ALLOCATED ABOUT $4 MILLION TO 11 ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND. THERE WERE THREE HEALTH CENTERS AND THE REST WERE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION. THE SISTER CITY OF COLUMBUS AND CHICAGO, ALL OF THESE ARE FOCUSED ON ABORTION ACCESS . THIS IS A REMINDER OF THE FRAMEWORK WE SHARED LAST YEAR. WE HAD THREE FORMAL PRESENTATIONS DURING B SESSIONS LAST YEAR AND THIS WAS THE SCHEMATIC AND THIS IS JUST TO REMIND US ALL IN TERMS OF THE ASK REFLECTED IN THE MEMO GENERATED BY DISTRICT 6. SO, AGAIN, GIVEN THE NEW REQUESTS THAT WE RECEIVED, THESE EXAMPLES ARE FOCUSED ON THE DOWNSTREAM REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES. JUST A REMINDER THAT THE UPSTREAM WORK AIMS TO INCREASE ECONOMIC STABILITY AS WELL AS MAINTAINING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WHILE MIDSTREAM SERVICES MAY INCLUDE AND ENHANCE ACCESS TO TRUSTED MEDICAL CARE OR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES SUCH AS SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS OR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION. DOWNSTREAM SERVICES MORE ON DIRECT CARE.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS A LIST OF EXAMPLES THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE USING THIS FRAMEWORK. A HOME PREGNANCY TEST, EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION, DOULAS, SUBSIDIZED TESTING, AND TRANSPORTATION TO ABORTION CARE.
ONE REMINDER IN THE RFP THAT WE ISSUED LAST YEAR, THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE REGARDING DOWNSTREAM SIMPLY REFERENCED THAT DOWNSTREAM ACTIVITIES DEMONSTRATE A GAP IN DIRECT SERVICES FOR PRENATAL CARE, STI CARE, OR ABORTION TRANSPORTATION TO THE EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY THE LAW. THIS IS A REMINDER OF WHAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN THIS PORTFOLIO. LAST FALL, THIS IS A REMINDER OF WHERE WE LANDED WITH HAVING THIS DEDICATED FUND IN RESPONSE TO THE DOBBS DECISION.
THERE WAS AN AWARD OF $499,000 TO FOUR AREA VENDORS THAT WAS IN POWERHOUSE, LIGHT SUPPORT, SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION AND THE YWCA .
THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE OFF AND RUNNING FOR THEIR YEAR-LONG EFFORTS NOW UNDERWAY. THE CONTRACTS WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL THIS PAST NOVEMBER AND WILL EXPIRE THIS CALENDAR YEAR ON NOVEMBER 30, 2025.
SO I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT'S BEEN REPORTED TO OUR DEPARTMENT BASED ON ACTIVITIES THAT TAKEN PLACE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
LIGHT SUPPORT RECEIVED 59 APPLICATIONS FOR THEIR 10 AVAILABLE SPOTS FOR DOULA TRAINING. THE YWCA AND EMPOWER HOUSE ARE COLLABORATING ON A CURRICULUM TO HOST REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WORKSHOPS.
AND THE SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION PERFORMED SCREENINGS , CLOSE TO 70 SCREENINGS ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS FOR WOMEN AND INDIVIDUALS WITH FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS. SO THIS IS A REMINDER OF A CONTEXT GIVEN THIS AFTERNOON'S DISCUSSION. IN THE FIRST REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, TRANSPORTATION TO ABORTION CARE SERVICES WAS ONE AVAILABLE OPTION. WE ASSESSED THE GAPS THAT WERE IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND INVITED VENDORS TO DEVISE AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS. IN THE END, NONE OF THE FOUR AWARDEES PROPOSED ABORTION TRANSPORTATION OR NAVIGATION. TWO OUT OF THE TEN RESPONDENTS INCLUDED THESE SERVICES AS AN ELEMENT OF A BROADER SET OF PACKAGES AS PART OF THEIR PROPOSAL. SO THAT WAS BEAT AIDS COALITION AND THE PARENTING
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PLUS. JUST KNOW THAT WE HAD TEN APPLICANTS LAST TIME.FIVE WERE INTERVIEWED AND THERE WERE FOUR AWARDEES. PARENTING PLUS WAS ADVANCED TO THE INTERVIEW PHASE BUT NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FINAL AWARD.
JUST KNOW THAT ABORTION NAVIGATION WAS NOT ADDRESSED BY ANY OF THE OTHER RESPONDENTS. SO, WITH THAT, THE COUNCIL TOOK ACTION ON NOVEMBER 21ST AND ON NOVEMBER 22ND. COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA SUBMITTED A MEMO TO ADDRESS THIS SPECIFIC NEED BASED ON THE FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL.
SO THIS SLIDE SHOWS -- HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT MEMO. THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE DOWNSTREAM SERVICES THAT WERE NOT MET TO THE ALREADY AWARDED FUNDS.
MEANING THE ORIGINAL 500K ALLOCATION ANCHORED TO THE WORK OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS FOR AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 AND THE SOLICITATION AND ELIGIBILITY WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE ORIGINAL TEN APPLICANTS. WE WOULD USE THE SAME SCORING MATRIX AS BEFORE AND THE TIMELINE WOULD BE A 30-DAY SOLICITATION FOLLOWED BY A 30-DAY REVIEW AND SCORING PERIOD. CLEARLY WE DEFER TO CITY COUNCIL FULL A SESSION FOR -- WHICH THE DATE TO BE DETERMINED.
KEEP IN MIND ONE OUTCOME OF THIS AFTERNOON'S DISCUSSION IS THE PATH TO A CITY COUNCIL A SESSION, WHICH WOULD BE ONE OF THE POINTS OF CLARIFICATION AND CONFIRMATION BASED ON YOUR DISCUSSIONS. ONE LAST CONTEXT.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, HERE ARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED SO FAR AND INSIGHTS GLEANED FROM THIS PAST YEAR, INCLUDING POTENTIAL OBSTACLES THAT WE ANTICIPATE MAY BE EXPERIENCED BY APPLICANTS BASED ON OUR INTERACTIONS THIS PAST ROUND. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE APPLICANT POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT POTENTIAL LITIGATION. AGAIN, GIVEN OUR WORK IN THE GOVERNMENTAL CONTEXT, OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS ARE ANOTHER BURDEN FOR VENDORS THAT COULD BE PREDICTED OR EXPECTED. AND ROUTINELY THE SMALL VENDORS FACE CHALLENGES NAVIGATING THE CITY'S PROCESS FOR SOLICITATIONS AND CONTRACTING. SO YOU MAY RECALL THAT WE ORIGINALLY WE RECEIVED QUESTIONS DURING THE PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE ABOUT WHETHER ADVANCE PAYMENTS ARE ALLOWED, AND TYPICALLY THESE ARE NOT. WE'LL DEFER TO THE PREFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL. THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AS WE THINK ABOUT NEXT STEPS. WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. JUST KNOW THAT WE DEPEND ON YOU IN TERMS OF CLARIFICATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS. WE KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A FAIRLY FAST-MOVING PROCESS SO WE'RE LISTENING FOR YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
WE DO WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICANTS AND CLEARLY WE'RE COMMITTED TO AN EXPEDITED PROCESS, AS WE DID THIS PAST YEAR.
THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, DR. JACOB.
I BELIEVE COUNCILWOMAN MELISSA HAVRDA HAS SUBMITTED A RECORD INTO THE CITY CLERK AND I HAVE HANDED THAT OVER TO HER, IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NO. 2.
THANK YOU AGAIN, CLAUDE. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF MOVING FORWARD. I WANTED TO THANK MAYOR RON NIRENBERG FOR CONTINUING TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY AND THE $100,000 EARMARKED FOR THIS. IN TERMS OF PROGRAMMING, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF KEEPING THEM TOWARDS THE DOWNSTREAM SERVICES AND WITH THE TIMELINE FOR THE 30-DAY SOLICITATION. THE CONVERSATION THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE PRIOR WITH THE $500,000 WAS THE VERY LENGTHY TIMELINE AND PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO IDENTIFY THE FOLKS ELIGIBLE. I UNDERSTAND THE BREAKDOWN IN WHICH THOSE WHO DID INCLUDE ABORTION TRAVEL IN THEIR RPF WERE NOT SELECTED I'M HOPEFUL WITH THIS ROUND WE'LL SEE MORE ORGANIZATIONS APPLY FOR ABORTION TRAVEL TO PROVIDED THE MUCH-NEEDED DOWNSTREAM SERVICES. WITH THE 30-DAY SOLICITATION TIMELINE, WOULD APPLICANTS WHO HAD APPLIED IN THE FIRST ROUND BE ABLE TO AMEND THEIR
CURRENT APPLICATION THAT THEY'VE ALREADY SUBMITTED? >> YES, MA'AM.
WE WOULD ISSUE A REVISED RFP AND THEY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISE THEIR
SOLICITATIONS AND RESUBMIT THOSE. >> CASTILLO: JUST GIVEN THE NEED FOR THESE SERVICES AND RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE TIMELINE AND OF COURSE THE NEXT STEP GOING TO AN A SESSION FOR ACTION TO DISBURSE THE FUNDS TO THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED.
I'LL MOVE ON TO DISCUSSION. IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
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I AM IN SUPPORT OF ANOTHER $100,000 TO ADDRESS DOWNSTREAM SERVICES.BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S PLENTY THAT GOES BEYOND ABORTION NAVIGATION. HOWEVER, I AM -- CAN YOU PUT UP THE POTENTIAL BARRIERS SLIDE, PLEASE? WITH THESE POTENTIAL BARRIERS, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THESE TEN GROUPS COULD DECIDE, HEY, WE CAN USE THE $100,000 TO HELP WITH DOWNSTREAM ISSUES. BUT THE BARRIERS TO ABORTION NAVIGATION ARE STILL TOO GREAT AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUBMIT? OR WILL WE JUST NOT REVIEW
THEM IF THEY DON'T HAVE TRAVEL? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. AGAIN, THIS IS BASED ON OUR READ OF THE PULSE OF THESE VENDORS. SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING.
WE'VE HAD A COUPLE ANECDOTES --S THAT THE CHILLING EFFECT THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THE GROUND ANECDOTALLY IS PALPABLE BARRIERS. AGAIN, IT'S NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
WE WITH THE TEAM WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PROCUREMENT STAFF, WE HAVE DONE AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THE FIRST ROUND TO MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR THE VENDORS TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO REMIND YOU OF THE HURDLES
THAT WE EXPERIENCED THIS PAST ROUND. >> SEGOVIA: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL, COUNCILWOMAN. IF YOU WANT TO SET IT UP SO IT'S DOWNSTREAM SERVICES WITH THE EXPECTATION OF SEEING WHAT WE GET BACK, OR IT COULD BE SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE. THAT WILL BE UP TO COUNCIL AS TO WHAT DIRECTION WE GIVE TO OUR PROCUREMENT. BECAUSE HOPEFULLY -- I THINK YOUR QUESTION WAS CAN WE SET IT UP SO IT'S $100,000 FOR DOWNSTREAM AND SEE IF THESE ORGANIZATIONS COME BACK AND SAY PART OF OUR DOWNSTREAM SERVICES IS NAVIGATION.
YES, WE CAN DO THAT IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. >> VIAGRAN: BECAUSE I WANT TO JUST -- I WANT $100,000 FOR DOWNSTREAM SERVICES. I WANT THE AGENCIES TO COME AND TELL ME WHAT THEY FIND MORE PRESSING OR WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO RISK.
I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF US SITTING HERE SAYING KEEP ON SAYING, NO, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED. SO I'M GOING TO SEND IT OUT TO GET EXACTLY WHAT I WANT.
AND I FEEL LIKE I'M ALL FOR MORE -- I DON'T THINK -- IF HOUSTON IS GIVING $2 MILLION, I THINK SAN ANTONIO SHOULD GIVE $2 MILLION.
SO WE'RE NOT THERE YET. SO I'M GOING TO KEEP ON LOOKING FOR THE 100 GRAND HERE OR THE QUARTER MILLION THERE UNTIL WE HIT THAT $2 MILLION MARK.
BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE LEAST WE OWE THE WOMEN OF SAN ANTONIO.
BUT TO KEEP ON -- TO TRY AND PAINT OUR VENDORS AND PROVIDERS INTO A CORNER WHEN THEY ARE THE FRONTLINE, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT RISK THEY'RE TAKING. WE CAN ANTICIPATE WHAT WE AS A CITY ARE MAYBE AT RISK FOR BUT TO ASK THEM TO DO THAT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. SO I WANT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD BUT I WANT THEM TO SEE WHAT THEY -- WHAT DOWNSTREAM ISSUES ARE MOST PRESSING AND HOW THEY WOULD PACKAGE AN ABORTION NAVIGATION IN A GRANT ISSUED BY A GOVERNMENT ENTITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SO THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH THAT. I THINK I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH A GOOD $2 MILLION FOR OUR SERVICES AND BREAK IT UP BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE, HALF A MILLION WITH $100,000 THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO TARGET DOWNSTREAM ACTIVITIES WITH THE ORIGINAL TEN APPLICANTS.
AND THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, IS FOR THE TURNAROUND, I THINK WE NEED TO STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL TEN APPLICANTS BUT AS WE MOVE TO THE FUTURE I THINK WE NEED TO OPEN IT
UP TO MORE AGENCIES. THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. COUNCILWOMAN DR. ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR. I HAVE A QUESTION.
ON THE MEMO IT SAYS FOR BRIEFING PURPOSES. IS THAT -- IS THAT TRUE?
SO THERE'S NO ACTION NEEDED? >>
>> SEGOVIA: I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF IT SAID FOR BRIEFING ONLY, THOUGH.
>> GARCIA: IT SAYS "FOR BRIEFING ONLY." >> SEGOVIA: OKAY.
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IF THE TITLE SAYS -- BECAUSE IT WAS INTENDED TO BE BRIEFING AND POSSIBLEACTION. >> GARCIA: GOT IT. OKAY.
SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE THE MEMO SAID THAT.
AND THEN CAN YOU REMIND ME WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM IN THE BUDGET?
>> THANK YOU. COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?
>> GARCIA: CAN YOU REMIND ME WHERE THE MONEY WOULD COME FROM IN THE BUDGET?
>> YEAH. BASED ON THE DELIBERATION HERE, WE WOULD IDENTIFY THAT FROM OUR DEPARTMENT. FROM OUR CURRENT FY25 OPERATING BUDGET.
>> GARCIA: AND THEN THE CURRENT FUNDS THAT WERE ALREADY DISTRIBUTED, DO WE KNOW ALREADY HOW THEY'RE BEING SPENT?
>> AGAIN, THIS WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON THE 21ST OF NOVEMBER AND WE AT LEAST HAVE RECEIVED THE DECEMBER REPORT. THAT'S WHAT WE KNOW FOR NOW.
>> GARCIA: NO PROBLEM. WHAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THAT FUNDING?
>> SO THAT FUNDING WAS ANCHORED TO THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM THE FY24 OPERATING BUDGET -- OR ADOPTION. BUDGET ADOPTION.
>> GARCIA: SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS
FOR NOW. THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> CASTILLO: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IF THE CITY CLERK CAN PLEASE READ THE LETTER INTO THE RECORD FROM COUNCILWOMAN MELISSA HAVRDA, PLEASE.
>> CLERK: DEAR CHAIRWOMAN CASTILLO AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE.
I AM WRITING TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF $100,000 IN FUNDING FOR OUT OF STATE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR ABORTION SERVICES AS PART OF THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND. THIS FUNDING IS CRUCIAL FOR ENSURING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN TEXAS. THE THIS FUNDING WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE OCTOBER 16, 2024 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION WHERE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR RECOGNIZED THE EXCLUSION OF ABORTION TRAVEL FUNDING AS A CRITICAL OVERSIGHT. RESIDENTS IN OUR CITY DESERVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES WITHOUT FACING UNMEXICO. MANY INDIVIDUALS WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SERVICES THEY NEED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS WHY THE FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL.
THIS ISSUE GOES BEYOND HEALTH. IT IS ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO CONTROL ONE'S OWN BODY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE ENSURES INDIVIDUALS CAN ACCESS ABORTION SERVICES WITHOUT POLITICAL INTERFERENCE OR DISCRIMINATORY BARRIERS. ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO ADDRESS CONCERNS REGARDING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF SOME NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THEIR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THESE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED DUE TO THE FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIPS AS THEIR RESOURCES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS FUND. IT IS ALSO VITAL THAT THE METROPOLITAN HEALTH DISTRICT ENSURES CONFIDENTIALITY. THIS FUNDING IS CRITICAL TO ADDRESS THE BROADER HEALTH CHALLENGES TEXANS ARE FACING. WITH ALARMING STATISTICS ON MATERNAL MORTALITY, UNINSURED WOMEN AND TEEN BIRTHRATES ARE COMMITMENTS TO REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE URGENT. I URGE THE CITY TO ACT SWIFTLY TO ENSURE THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, SINCERELY,
COUNCILMEMBER MELISSA CABELLO HAVRDA. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
LASTLY, I CONCUR WITH COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN ON THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THIS FUND IN COMPARISON TO THE OTHER CITIES LISTED IN THE PRESENTATION, WE'RE LAGGING. AND I REMEMBER -- I BELIEVE IN 2019 I LISTENED TO A TPR INTERVIEW REGARDING THE CITY'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN AND DR. ROCHA GARCIA WAS BEING INTERVIEWED AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT SHE TALKED ABOUT THE WORK STARTING BEFORE THE DISASTER HITS. AND WHAT COMES TO MIND IS THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE NONPROFITS WHO GAVE PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY AND HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING PRIOR TO THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE THAT SAN ANTONIO WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO THE CARE THAT THEY DESERVE. AND NOT WAITING FOR A SHIFT IN ADMINISTRATION TO DO THAT WORK. SO I COMMEND Y'ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND I HOPE THAT THIS WORK CONTINUES WITH FUTURE BUDGETS, BECAUSE IT'S VERY MUCH NEEDED. AND JUST APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE HEARD TODAY. AND, WITH THAT, I THINK -- YEAH, WE CAN MOVE ON TO -- COUNCILWOMAN DR. ROCHA GARCIA.
>> GARCIA: I FORGOT TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION. IF WE MOVE THIS FORWARD TODAY, CAN I STILL ASK LIKE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS AND SEE WHAT ELSE COMES IN? I ONLY HAVE FOUR MINUTES HERE. CAN I GET -- I GUESS CAN I SEND MY QUESTIONS TO YOU OR GET WITH YOUR TEAM? WHEN WOULD IT GO TO COUNCIL
VOTE, IS MY QUESTION. >> THAT'S BASED ON THIS DISCUSSION HERE.
YOU LET US KNOW. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> GAVITO: CHAIR, I HAVE SOME LEGAL QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO FLESH OUT.
>> CASTILLO: THE COUNCIL IS NOW GOING TO GO INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT
[00:30:05]
2:36 P.M. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND TO DELIBERATE ONLEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO >> CASTILLO: THE TIME IS NOW 2:47 ON 1-23-2025.
NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. RETURNING BACK TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON ITEM 2, I BELIEVE COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO HAS FURTHER
QUESTIONS . >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PRESENTATION. I WANT TO BE CLEAR.
I'M PRO-CHOICE. I BELIEVE IN WOMEN'S RIGHTS. HOWEVER, I DO THINK THAT IF WE'RE WANTING TO FUND FURTHER DOWNSTREAM SERVICES, THIS IS THE WORK OF NONPROFITS. WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT NONPROFITS HERE IN THE CITY WHO CAN DO THAT WORK, INSTEAD OF BEING THE WORK AND MONEY BEING USED FROM THE CITY'S TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THIS WOULD COME OUT OF GENERAL FUND -- THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FIRST $500,000 THAT WAS FROM THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FUND, WHICH WAS FROM CPS SURPLUS FUNDS.
SO I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF KEY DIFFERENCES HERE. AGAIN, I DO WANT TO STATE I AM PRO-CHOICE. I BELIEVE IN WOMEN'S RIGHTS, I JUST FEEL IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY FOR OUT OF STATE TRAVEL, THAT IS THE WORK OF NONPROFITS AND NOT FOR MONEY FOR OUR CITY'S TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. AND BRIEF RECAP ON THE CONVERSATION.
WHAT I HEARD FROM THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS IS TO CONTINUE TO USE THE $100,000 TOWARDS DOWNSTREAM SERVICES WITH A QUICK TIMELINE WITH A 30-DAY RPF AND MOVING TOWARDS AN A SESSION FOR ACTION ON THOSE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVE AND HAVE BEEN -- GONE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
CAN I GET AN ACTION ON THIS ITEM? >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION WE MOVE THIS FORWARD TO THE FULL COUNCIL FOR AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 FOR
DOWNSTREAM ACTIVITIES. >> CASTILLO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
CAN WE TAKE A VOICE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >>
>> CASTILLO: ANY OPPOSITION? >> GAVITO: I OPPOSE.
>> CASTILLO: ANY ABSTENTIONS? >> GARCIA: AYE.
>> CASTILLO: SO WE HAVE AN ABSTENTION AND THEN A NO. >>
>> CASTILLO: 3, CONSIDERATION OF ONE AT-LARGE APPOINTMENT TO THE
MUNICIPAL GOLF ASSOCIATION. >> CHAIR, SO WE HAVE -- AT THE LAST CHEC MEETING WE APPOINTED FIVE INDIVIDUALS. THERE WAS STILL ONE POSITION THAT IS VACANT.
WE HAVE TWO APPLICANTS THAT WILL BE COMING IN. BOTH ARE HERE IN PERSON AND WE WILL HEAR THEIR TESTIMONY OR THEIR COMMENTS ON BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION.
WE WILL BRING THOSE IN. THEY WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO FOR A STATEMENT AND THEN QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE. WE DO HAVE PARK STAFF HERE IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. IF NOT, WE CAN CONTINUE WITH
THE INTERVIEWS. >> CASTILLO: WE CAN BEGIN THE INTERVIEWS.
I BELIEVE FIRST WE HAVE DEMONTE ALEXANDER. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.
I SUBMITTED A LETTER THE FIRST TIME. I APOLOGIZE.
I WAS IN AUSTIN FOR A FUNCTION. I DON'T THINK I COULD READ THE LETTER IN TWO MINUTES BUT I'LL TRY TO SUMMARIZE AS MUCH AS I CAN.
THANK YOU, GUYS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.
I GUESS I CAN START FROM HOW I GOT IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY, NUMBER ONE.
BUT, NUMBER TWO, IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH. AFTER MY TOUR IN IRAQ BACK IN 2015, I CAME BACK IT WAS KIND OF HARD FOR ME TO BE REACCLIMATED BACK IN SOCIETY. MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME, WIFE NOW, SAID, HEY, WHY DON'T YOU GO PLAY GOLF? SHE GOT ME SOME GOLF CLUBS. I DID THAT.
LONG STORY SHORT, THROUGH GOLF I'VE LEARNED THAT GOLF HELPED ME TO KIND OF GET
[00:35:01]
REACCLIMATED BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY IN A NUMBER OF ASPECTS, NOT ONLY PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY, TEACHING, I DO AN ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR LOCAL GRADUATING SENIORS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, WHO SEEK TO PURSUE, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION. I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING ON THE GOLF COMMITTEE FOR ABOUT -- I THINK THREE YEARS NOW.THREE OR FOUR YEARS NOW. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS.
WE HAVE REINVESTED MONEY BACK INTO THE EMPLOYEES WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, WITH PAY INCREASES, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS. WE HAVE IMPROVED THE COURSES, THANKS TO YOUR HELP, WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY.
WE'VE DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR THE TRAIL. I THINK SINCE ANDREW HAS BEEN HERE, WHICH I WAS AT BRACKENRIDGE. WHEN I WAS IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY, I WAS WORKING AT BRACKENRIDGE AND WE HIRED ANDREW PETERSON AND SO I WAS ABLE TO SEE ANDREW COME IN AND REALLY TRANSFORM THE TRAIL TO NOW WE'RE IN THE BLACK AND WE'RE ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING BACK TO THE CITY FROM A PROFITABILITY STANDPOINT. SO I'LL SAY THAT TO SAY THAT ALSO IN TERMS OF COVID, WHEN WE WERE ALL LOCKED AWAY, I THINK GOLF AND OUR PARKS AND OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES WAS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO FIND SOME SANITY AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE AND THE CITY, EVERYBODY FROM CONTINUING TO SUPPORT FOR US, NOT GOING TO SAY THAT WE'RE THERE SHAPING POLICY OR MAKING A HUGE IMPACT TO THE BOARD, BUT ANDREW MAKES IT REALLY EASY FOR US.
HE BRINGS THE ISSUES TO US. WE VOTE ON THEM AS A TEAM AND IT'S BEEN GREAT SO FAR.
SO THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY.
IF I'M NOT CHOSEN TODAY, I WILL STILL HELP AS MUCH AS I CAN.
THAT'S JUST WHAT I DO AND HAPPY TO CONTINUE SERVING AS WELL.
>> CASTILLO: GREAT. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM
THE COMMITTEE? COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: I JUST HAVE ONE. AND MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK TO YOUTH.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET YOUTH INVOLVED INTO GOLF, AND ESPECIALLY OUR
YOUTH FROM THE SOUTHERN SECTOR? >> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION. THIS HAS BEEN NOT ONLY A NATIONAL CONVERSATION, BUT THIS HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD, NOT ONLY WITH THE FIRST TEE, WITH KERRY, WHO IS DOING AN AMAZING JOB AT THE FIRST TEE. AND SO I THINK OVER THE YEARS THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRAIL AND THE FIRST TEE WAS NOT AS STRONG BUT I THINK SINCE WE'VE BEEN THERE AND ANDREW HAS BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KERRY, THEY'RE MAKING HEADWAY IN MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE, NOT ONLY FOR JUST KIDS OVERALL, BUT KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GOLF CLUBS AND JUST TO BE ABLE TO PLAY AND GET ON THE COURSE. SO I THINK ANDREW HAS BEEN ABLE TO -- AND US AS A BOARD HAS BEEN ABLE TO COORDINATE WITH KERRY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
YOU'VE GOT RAY -- MISSION DEL LAGO WAS FAILING UNTIL RAY GOT THERE.
THERE ARE INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH. I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT MORE THAN WE'RE DOING BUT I'M HAPPY TO SAY WE'RE BETTER THAN WE ARE THAN WE WERE, AT LEAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO. I THINK IT'S AN ONGOING QUESTION BUT THIS IS A TOPIC NOT JUST THE TRAIL AND THE CITY FOCUSES ON, WE NEED MORE ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH FINANCIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO CLUBS, GREEN FEES, THOSE
TYPES OF THINGS. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> CASTILLO: DR. ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST. CAN YOU TELL ME SINCE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT WHAT HAVE BEEN THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HOW HAVE YOU WORKED TO ADDRESS THEM?
>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION. SO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'VE HAD WAS WITH MAINTENANCE SUPPORT. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE -- I'VE TRAVELED QUITE A BIT IN OTHER CITIES AND KIND OF REVIEWED THEIR MUNICIPAL PROFILE IN TERMS OF GOLF. WE'RE VERY LUCKY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
THAT'S WHAT I REALIZE. I THOUGHT I COULD GO TO CALIFORNIA AND, NO, WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST COLLECTION OF GOLF COURSES THAT ARE RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND I THINK SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'VE HAD IS MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP IS KEEPING OUR MAINTENANCE CREW STAFFED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE. OBVIOUSLY WEATHER DAYS. WE'VE BEEN PRETTY LUCKY WITH WEATHER DAYS UP UNTIL NOW. WE HAVE COLD AND RAIN BUT WE HAVE INVESTED INTO SOME TARPS TO GO OVER THE GREEN SO RIGHT NOW WHEN IT'S COLD, WE HAVE INVESTED INTO TARPS THAT COVER THE GREEN SO WE DON'T LOSE THEM OVER THE WINTER, OVER THE BAD SEASON.
SO OUTSIDE OF THAT, THERE'S BEEN SOME, I WOULD SAY, CHALLENGES -- I WON'T SAY CHALLENGES SO MUCH. ANDREW HAS KIND OF ADDRESSED THESE WITH MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PAYING THE WAGES OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE SUCCESSION
[00:40:05]
PLANS -- NOT SUCCESSION PLANS BUT A PATH FOR GROWTH WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.ANDREW HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH REINVESTING SOME OF THOSE RECORD PROFITS THAT WE MADE BACK INTO THE ORGANIZATION. I WOULD SAY OUTSIDE OF WORKERS, HAVING ENOUGH WORKERS AND PAYING THEM WELL AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING A TAB ON TURNOVER. BECAUSE IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY, YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SOMEONE THERE EVERY TWO WEEKS, A DIFFERENT PERSON.
YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN THAT STAFF BUT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE STAFF AND HIRE STAFF THAT HAS CERTIFICATIONS IN THE GOLF SPACE, YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MAIN ISSUES IN WHAT WE'RE FACING. I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE -- ANDREW WOULD KILL ME IF I DIDN'T BRING THIS UP -- INFRASTRUCTURE.
SOME OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR FACILITIES, LIKE OUR CART BARNS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE KIND OF OLD. BUT THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE TEAM, WE HAVE A PLAN WORKING THROUGH THAT. BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT THOSE ARE BEING ADDRESSED. OTHER THAN THAT, THOSE ARE THE MAIN ONES AS FAR AS
MAINTENANCE SUPPORT. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, DEMONTE.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, GUYS. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. UP NEXT WE HAVE MARY CARRIKER.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO DO THIS.
MY NAME IS MARY CARRIKER. I RETIRED ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GOLF SAN ANTONIO. I HAD BEEN THERE FOR 17 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME WE RAN THE FIRST TEE PROGRAM, THE POLEFIELD GOLF CENTER, AND RAN OUR AMATEUR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS AND RAN THE PRO AMS FOR THE VALERO TEXAS OPEN . MY JOBS INCLUDED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
I WORKED AT A EXECUTIVE COURSE WHERE I QUICKLY BECAME THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER, OR THE ASSISTANT MANAGER. THEN WE MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO. I WORKED IN NORTHERN HILLS. I RAN THE PRO SHOP YEARS AND YEARS AGO.
AND THEN I MOVED TO LA CANTERA AS MANAGER AT THE LA CANTERA GOLF ACADEMY AND MOVED INTO GOLF SAN ANTONIO WHERE I STAYED UNTIL I RETIRED.
I LOVE THE SAN ANTONIO GOLF COURSES. OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN AVID GOLFERS SINCE WE HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 35 YEARS. WE PLAYED ALL THE COURSES.
I AM SO APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT ALAMO CITY GOLF COURSE HAS DONE TO IMPROVE OUR COURSES WHEN I WORKED AT GOLF SAN ANTONIO I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE GOLF COURSE AND THEIR OPERATIONS. WHILE I WAS IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY, I WORKED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE GOLF INDUSTRY SO I KNOW GOLF OPERATIONS INSIDE AND OUT.
I THINK OF MYSELF AS A VERY LOYAL -- I'M VERY DIPLOMATIC.
I'M VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. I'M VERY EASY TO GET ALONG WITH.
EVERYTHING I WOULD HAVE LOOKED FOR IN A BOARD MEMBER WHILE I WAS AT GOLF SAN ANTONIO. MY BIGGEST ASSET IS I AM A PROBLEM SOLVER.
AND IF YOU'VE EVER WORKED IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY, WHAT CAN GO WRONG DOES GO WRONG AND IT'S ALL THE ABILITY TO HOW SOON AND HOW FAST YOU CAN FIX IT.
I WOULD BE EXTREMELY HONORED TO BE ON THE ALAMO CITY GOLF COURSE BOARD.
[TIMER] AND HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE. THANK YOU.
IS THAT MY TIMER? YAY! HOW ABOUT THAT?
>> CASTILLO: ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE? COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: SO ONE THING IS DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF GETTING THE YOUTH MORE INVOLVED IN GOLF? AND ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF SAN
ANTONIO. >> WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE DID AT THE FIRST TEE WAS OUR CONCENTRATION WAS LOWER-INCOME YOUTH AND GETTING THEM INVOLVED FROM AN EARLY START SO THAT THEY BECAME PART OF THE -- NOT ONLY GOLF BUT WE TAUGHT THEM HOW TO BE CITIZENS. THE DEAL IS TO CATCH THEM EARLY, GET THEM INVOLVED, AND KEEP THEM INVOLVED. AND YOU KEEP THEM INVOLVED BY GETTING THEM ON THE GOLF COURSE EARLY AND MAKE IT AFFORDABLE. AND FOR THE FIRST TEE PROGRAM, IT WAS FREE FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T PAY. SO I WOULD GET THEM INVOLVED
IN A PROGRAM LIKE THE FIRST TEE. >> CASTILLO: COUNCILWOMAN
[00:45:06]
DR. ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARY, FOR YOUR WORK ON THE COMMITTEE THUS FAR. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE FIRST TEE. MY SON LEARNED HOW TO PLAY GOLF AND LEARNED ALL ABOUT
IT THROUGH FIRST TEE , SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> GARCIA: I DO WANT TO ASK YOU WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGES THAT YOU
HAVE SEEN AND HOW HAVE YOU ADDRESSED THEM? >> FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE FIRST TEE. A LOT OF PEOPLE -- IT'S HARD TO CONVEY OUR MESSAGE THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A GOLF PROGRAM. THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. A CHARACTER EDUCATION. SO WHEN YOU WOULD WRITE GRANTS, ALL THEY WOULD SEE IS "GOLF" AND THEY WOULDN'T SEE THE CHARACTER EDUCATION PART OF IT. AND IT'S BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROGRAM WAS SO MUCH THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO FUND IT.
RIGHT NOW THE PROGRAM IS HEALTHY, IT'S VERY WELL FUNDED SO I THINK WE GOT IT STARTED WELL AND MY PREDECESSOR HAS TAKEN OVER AND SHE'S DOING QUITE WELL WITH IT NOW. THAT WAS MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE.
WHEN YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF DONATIONS, THAT MEANS YOUR STAFF NEEDS TO GET PAID AND THAT'S A LOT OF PRESSURE, SO FUNDING WOULD BE MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MARY. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> CASTILLO: I BELIEVE NOW WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE TIME -- THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> CASTILLO: THE TIME IS NOW 3:03 P.M. ON JANUARY 23, 2025.
THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMUNITY WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DELIBERATE OR DISCUSS LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING: CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONCERNING ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS -- IS THAT THE CORRECT ONE? UNDER
>> CASTILLO: THE TIME IS NOW 3:12 P.M. ON 1-23-2025. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING WILL NOW RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> GARCIA: CHAIR, I MOVE THAT WE FORWARD DEMONTE ALEXANDER AS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL BY FULL CITY COUNCIL AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE A SESSION.
>> VIAGRAN: SECOND. >> CASTILLO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
CAN WE TAKE A VOICE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >>
>> CASTILLO: ANY OPPOSITION? NO ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES. THAT NOW BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH MEETING AND THAT CONCLUDES TODAY'S MEETING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.