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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:12 A.M. ON THE 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025.
WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU READ THE ROLL?
>> CLERK: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WELCOME, EVERYONE. TO GET US STARTED TODAY, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER KAUR TO WATER SYSTEM OUR INVOCATOR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING. IT'S MY HONOR TODAY TO WELCOME PASTOR PASTOR COURTNEY BEARD. SHE IS A CREATIVE PIONEER FOR THE COLLECTIVE AND IT'S CLLXTV. THIS IS A CHURCH THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING TO THE LAVACA AREA EARLIER THIS YEAR THROUGH A REZONING CASE AND WHY WE ARE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THEM IS THEIR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO BREAK FREE FROM SELF-DOUBT AND INSECURITY. THEY ARE TRULY AN INCLUSIVE PLACE. THAT ALLOWS EVERYONE HOW THEY ARE TO SHOW UP AND BE IN COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO HAVE PASTOR GIVE US A FEW WORDS TODAY TO START OFF.
>> LET US BOW OUR HEADS IN REVERENCE AS WE GATHER IN THE SPIRIT OF UNITY AND REMEMBRANCE. FATHER GOD, WE STAND ON SACRED GROUND IN THE HEART OF SAN ANTONIO, RICH WITH THE ECHOES OF HISTORY AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE HERITAGE, THE RESILIENCE, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NATION AND THIS CITY. WE REMEMBER THE GIANTS WHO FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY, EQUALITY, AND TRUTH. OUR STRUGGLES ARE NOT OVER. WE BELIEVE THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE, MORE BRIDGES TO BUILD, MORE VOICES TO BE HEARD.
MAY WE BE STEADFAST IN OUR COMMITMENT TO DISMANTLE THE BARRIERS THAT DIVIDE US.
LORD, WE ASK YOUR GUIDANCE UPON THIS COUNCIL. GRANT THEM PROPHETIC INSIGHT AND FORESIGHT THAT THEY MAY LEAD WITH CLARITY, COURAGE, AND DISCERNMENT.
MAY THEIR DECISIONS PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE. LET THIS CITY BE WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE. WHERE PROGRESS IS NOT JUST A POLICY BUT A LIVED EXPERIENCE. YOUR WORD REMINDS US IN ROMANS 15:1-2 THAT STRENGTH IS FOR SERVICE, NOT FOR STATUS.
MAY WE, MAY THIS COUNCIL EMBODY THIS TRUTH. USING OUR INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY, NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN BUT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.
LET HUMILITY RAIN DOWN OVER EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. GOD, I THANK YOU FOR SAN ANTONIO. I THANK YOU THAT THIS IS A BEACON OF LIGHT AND HOPE AND A PLACE OF INFLUENCE. MAY OUR LEADERS BE RECOGNIZED NOT JUST FOR THEIR POSITIONS BUT THE IMPACT. WE LIFT UP EVERY INITIATIVE, FATHER FROM HOPE MOMENTS TO RENEWAL MOMENTS MAY THEY BE ABLE TO STEP IN EVERY STEP THAT YOU'VE ORDERED. MAY SAN ANTONIO, BECAUSE OF THIS MOMENT, BECAUSE OF THIS PRAYER, BECAUSE OF THESE LEADERS, BE THE CITY WHERE WE LIVE OUT LOUD, WHERE FAITH AND ACTION MEET, WHERE JUSTICE AND MERCY WALK HAND IN HAND AND WHERE FUTURE IS
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NOT JUST IMAGINED BUT BUILT TOGETHER. BLESS THIS COUNCIL.BLESS OUR COMMUNITY. BLESS THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER.
IT IS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS, AMEN AND AMEN.
>> MAYOR >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYER AND YOUR CALL TO ACTION, PASTOR BEARD . ALL RIGHT. BEFORE WE GET INTO BUSINESS TODAY, WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT CEREMONIAL THAT WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE AND LIVE OUT HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AND IT IS BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH HERE IN OUR NATION AS WELL AS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
IF I COULD ASK THE MEMBERS OF OUR -- ACTUALLY THE CHOIR WILL BE SECOND, RIGHT? OKAY. IT GIVES ME GREAT HONOR TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2025, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL COME TOGETHER WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION AND THE WORLD TO COMMEMORATE BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH TO HONOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY MADE BY BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN OUR NATION. AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME, AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LIBRARY, EPITOMIZES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS TO THE WORKFORCE. THE NOTION OF WORK INCLUDES UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS BROUGHT TO THE AMERICAS TO BE ENSLAVED AND SERVE AS A WORKFORCE, FIGHTING FOR THEIR FREEDOM IN A CIVIL WAR, SERVING THE UNITED STATES' ARMED FORCES AND SHAPING OUR COUNTRY IN THE WORKPLACE AND ALL OF ITS ITERATIONS. WHEREAS THIS YEAR MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE BROTHERHOOD BY A LABOR ORGANIZER AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST RANDOLPH, THE FIRST BLACK UNION TO RECEIVE A CHARTER IN THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR. TODAY WE HONOR ADDIE WYATT TO BE ELECTED AS AN INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT.
FOUNDER OF THE COALITION AND FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN, SHE ADVOCATED TIRELESSLY TO REDEFINE WOMEN'S ROLES AND FOUGHT FOR JOB SECURITY, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, AND WAGE INCREASES. SHE JOINED MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. IN MAJOR CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHES. WHEREAS BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE CONTRIBUTED IMMEASURABLY TO THE STRENGTH AND CHARACTER OF OUR GREAT NATION WITH A GREATEST OF SPIRIT AND LOVE OF COUNTRY, GIVING OF THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THEIR LABOR, VOICES, VISION, AND BLOOD TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY STRONGER AND BETTER. AND WHEREAS MANY LOCAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE SCHEDULED DURING THE MONTH-LONG OBSERVANCE INCLUDING ART EXHIBITS, LECTURES, CHILDREN'S WORKSHOPS, AND GOSPEL PROGRAMS TO REFLECT ON THE PIVOTAL AND PROFOUND WORK AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE DONE IN SHAPING OUR NATION AND ADVANCING OUR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 2025 TO BE BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND CALL ON RESIDENTS TO REFLECT ON THE RICH HERITAGE AND REMARKABLE ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. THE PROGRESS MADE SO FAR AND THE WORK THAT REMAINS TO BE DONE TO CREATE A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY FOR ALL.
[APPLAUSE] IT IS MY HONOR TO WELCOME FROM SAAACAM, TAYLOR.
>> HELLO AND GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR NIRENBERG.
MY NAME IS TAYLOR FOOTS AND I AM THE EXHIBIT SPACE SUPERVISOR AT THE SAN ANTONIO AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM IT'S LOVELY TO SEE YOU ALL THIS MORNING. AS WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES, NO ONE CAN DENY THE MONUMENTAL IMPACT OF BLACK CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA'S GEOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPE. IN THE SPIRIT OF RECOGNIZING THESE CONTRIBUTIONS, THIS YEAR THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY AUDIO] OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LABOR.
THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE POWERFUL CONNECTION BETWEEN WORK AND THE DIASPORA THROUGHOUT HISTORY. TO TODAY'S ON GOING STRUGGLES FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, THE THEME REMINDS US THAT WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE. THIS YEAR IN 2025 WE GET TO CELEBRATE THE 100-YEAR
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ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF SLEEPING CAR PORTERRERS UNION.PORTERS WERE SERVICE HANDS ON TRAINS. THEY WERE EXPECTED TO SMILE AND CATER TO EVERY WHIM OF THE TRAIN GOERS. MAKE SURE THE TRAIN WAS CLEAN AND CARRY LUGGAGE TO AND FRO FOR ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS.
GEORGE PULLMAN STATED THAT THE PORTER JOB WAS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS BECAUSE HE WANTED PEOPLE WHO WOULD WORK FOR LOW WAGES, UNDERSTAND SERVITUDE, AND SOMEONE THAT WHITE PASSENGERS COULD REGARD AS PART OF THE FURNISHINGS.
HE ALSO KNEW THAT THE U.S. LABOR MOVEMENT EXCLUDED BLACK AMERICANS.
ALL OF THEIR WORK HAD TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE TRAINGOERS ARRIVED, USUALLY HOURS BEFORE THE TRAIN TOOK OFF. HOWEVER, PULLMAN PORTERS WERE ONLY PAID FOR THE TIME THE TRAIN WAS IN MOTION. MANY PORTERS REPORTED HAVING TO WORK 21 HOURS A DAY, MANAGING ONLY TO GET THREE HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT.
IN 1925, A. PHILIP RANDOLPH CREATED THE BROTHERHOOD OF SLEEPING CAR PORTERS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST BLACK UNION TO SIGN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN 1937 AND AFTER 12 YEARS OF FIERCE OPPOSITION THEY NEGOTIATED AND WON HIGHER WAGES, FEWER HOURS IN A WORK MONTH, AND THE RIGHT TO A HEARING BEFORE TERMINATION.
THEY WERE ALSO THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN UNION TO BE CHARTERED BY THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR. SAN ANTONIO ACTUALLY HAD ONE OF THE LARGEST CHAPTERS IN THE NATION. THESE JOBS HELPED CREATE THE BLACK MIDDLE CLASS AND EVEN THOUGH PULLMAN PORTERS WERE IN THE LOWEST RANKS ON THE TRAIN, THEY HAD THE LEAST SAFETY, COMFORT, AND PAY AT WORK. THEY WERE OFTEN IN THE HIGHEST RANKS OF SOCIETY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. IN THE 1920S, PULLMAN PORTERS MADE UP THE LARGEST CATEGORY OF BLACK WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND MANY OF THEM WERE ABLE TO CREATE BETTER LIVES FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THIS NEW BLACK MIDDLE CLASS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE OUR VERY OWN DENVER HEIGHTS. DENVER HEIGHTS WAS A BUSTLING BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD IN SAN ANTONIO FILLED WITH MANY BLACK BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS.
DOCTORS, LAWYERS, BUSINESSMEN, EDUCATORS, AND PULLMAN PORTERS FILLED THE HOMES IN DENVER HEIGHTS. CHARLES BELLINGER WAS ALSO A RESIDENT OF DE DENVER HEIGHTS.
FRANK DUNN RECENTLY RECOUNTED HIS LIFE GROWING UP IN DENVER HEIGHTS AND FEELING EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THE PULLMAN PORTERS IN THEIR SHINY HUTS GO TO WORK.
THEY HAVE BEEN ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE EVEN WHEN THEIR LABOR AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE UNDEUNDERVALUED. TODAY AND EVERY DAY WE HONOR THEIR WORK, THEIR SACRIFICE, THEIR RESILIENCE AND THEIR LEGACY. HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TAYLOR. NOW IF WE CAN HAVE THE SAN ANTONIO GOSPEL HERITAGE CHOIR COME UP AND LEAD US IN THE BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM. ♪ LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING ♪ ♪ TILL EARTH AND HEAVEN RING ♪ ♪ RING WITH THE HARMONIES OF LIBERTY ♪ ♪ LET OUR REJOICING RISE ♪ ♪ HIGH AS THE LISTENING SKIES ♪ ♪ LET IT RESOUND LOUD AS THE ROLLING SEA ♪ ♪ SING A SONG FULL OF THE FAITH THAT THE DARK PAST HAS TAUGHT US ♪ ♪ SING A SONG FULL OF THE HOPE THAT THE PRESENT HAS BROUGHT US ♪ ♪ FACING THE RISING SUN OF OUR NEW DAY BEGUN ♪ ♪ LET US MARCH ON TILL VICTORY IS WON ♪ ♪ MARCHING TILL THE VICTORY
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IS WON ♪ ♪ LET US MARCH ON TILL VICTORY IS WON ♪ ♪ IS WON ♪>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I FEEL COMPELLED TO SAY THERE'S NO SIZE CHECK BIG ENOUGH THAT SHOULD EVER PREVENT OUR CITY FROM PLAYING THAT SONG IN THESE CHAMBERS. I DO WANT TO GIVE THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, WHO HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR ORGANIZERS, THE LEAD ORGANIZER, IN FACT, FOR MOST OF OUR MLK ACTIVITIES. AND SO, COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. ALSO I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THIS HALF OF THE ROOM.
I WENT TO SAY HI AND I COMPLETELY MISSED Y'ALL. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.
TODAY IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
EVERY YEAR THIS IS A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE RESILIENCE, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND SACRIFICES OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NATION. AND THIS YEAR'S THEME, AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LABOR, CALLS US TO REFLECT ON THE GENERATIONS OF BLACK WORKERS WHOSE HANDS BUILT THIS COUNTRY, OFTEN WITHOUT RECOGNITION, FAIR WAGES, AND WITHOUT JUSTICE. FROM THE FORCED LABOR OF ENSLAVED AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO TOILED UNDER CRUELTY TO THE SHARECROPPERS WHO STRUGGLED FOR INDEPENDENCE, TO THE PULLMAN PORTERS WHO ORGANIZED FOR DIGNITY, THE DOMESTIC WORKERS WHO HELD FAMILIES TOGETHER WHILE FIGHTING FOR THEIR OWN, TO THE MASS INCARCERATION OF BLACK MEN, BLACK LABOR HAS BEEN THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH.
BUT IN THE FACE OF DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION OF UNIONS AND LABOR PROTECTIONS, AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE, NOT JUST FOR BLACK WORKERS BUT FOR ALL WORKERS. AND WE OWE MUCH TO BLACK LABOR LEADERS LIKE RANDOLPH WHO ORGANIZED THE FIRST BLACK LABOR UNION. AND DOROTHY BOLDEN WHO DEMANDED EQUAL RIGHTS AND RESPECT FOR WOMEN. AND TO THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WHOSE FIGHT INCLUDED THAT AGAINST PARASITIC CAPITALISM. THEIR COURAGE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED TODAY. BUT THE STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER. BLACK WORKERS CONTINUE TO FACE WAGE GAPS, WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AND BARRIERS FOR ADVANCEMENT. THE FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE IS ONGOING AND WE MUST SUPPORT POLICIES THAT CREATE PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE LABOR WITHOUT DIGNITY IS EXPLOITATION.
I ALSO MUST STATE THAT OUR CITY HAS A LONG WAY TO GO ENSURING JUSTICE FOR BLACK SAN ANTONIANS. THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE HOMES THEY HAVE BUILT FOR THEMSELVES AND HAD THE ALL THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENTS PLACED IN SUCH NEIGHBORHOODS. EVEN BASIC ACCESS TO EDUCATION AS WE WITNESS OUR HISTORICALLY BLACK SCHOOLS CLOSE DOWN . I WANT TO THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS DOING WORK TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER BLACK COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SAN ANTONIO, THE STATE, AND THE NATION. WITHOUT YOUR WORK WE KNOW WE WOULD HAVE LIMITED SUCCESS IN MAKING IT THIS FAR. THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH LET US HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN HARBOR NOT JUST WITH WORDS BUT WITH ACTION. LET US REMEMBER THAT EVERY RIGHT WE ENJOY TODAY CAME FROM THE STRUGGLE FROM THOSE WHO REFUSE TO ACCEPT LESS THAN THEY DESERVED.
MAY WE CARRY THEIR LEGACY FORWARD ENSURING WORK IN THIS COUNTRY IS ALWAYS MET WITH DIGNITY, FAIRNESS, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THOSE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS CLEARLY A TARGET OF OUR NATION'S LEADERS, NO ONE CAN GIVE OR TAKE PERMISSION TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY DURING ANY DAY OR MONTH BECAUSE WHEN THE CLOCK
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STRIKES 12:00 MARCH 1, I'M STILL GOING TO BE BLACK AND WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.HOPEFULLY WE CAN ENSURE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS FOREVER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I DO WANT TO DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO AN IMPORTANT OPENING WE HAVE COMING UP NEXT WEEK AND THAT IS FINALLY, AT LONG LAST, THIS CITY IS BEING RECOGNIZED AS A WORLD HERITAGE CITY, THE FIRST IN TEXAS.
AND WE ARE HAVING THE CENTER OPENING THAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE COMING.
I DO WANT TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN TO GIVE US A LITTLE
BIT OF DETAIL ON THAT. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. WE HAVE TWO GREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY. THIS FRIDAY, TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 7 FROM 10:00 TO 12:00 WE WILL BE OPENING THE WORLD HERITAGE CENTER . THIS WAS A CITYWIDE BOND PROJECT IN ADDITION TO MANY BUDGET ITEMS AND ASKS TO GET THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN SO WE COULD GET THIS OPEN. SO I INVITE ALL MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC TO COME OUT. WE WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATING THE VERANDA THAT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE TRICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMISSION.
PLEASE GO ONLINE. RSVP, IF YOU CAN. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
THE SECOND EVENT THAT WE HAVE COMING UP, WHICH IS REAL IMPORTANT, IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL DISTRICT 3 SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM. IF WE COULD GET THE FLIER UP FOR THAT. YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE OUR WELCOMING REMARKS BY OUR FIRST LADY, ERICA PROSPER, AND OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER WILL BE OUR MAYOR, RON NIRENBERG , TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GRASSROOTS AND TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD. SO I ASK THAT YOU ALL COME OUT AND JOIN US AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT THERE ALSO. IT WILL BE AT TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO. SO BUSY WEEKEND. I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL OUT THERE AND REALLY WORK ON THESE INITIATIVES THAT ARE TRULY CITYWIDE INITIATIVES.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
ALL RIGHT. OUR CONSENT AGENDA TODAY IS FULL AND THERE ARE NO ITEMS LISTED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. ARE THERE ANY TO PULL FOR
CONSIDERATION? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: YES.
ITEM NO. 9. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OTHERS? OKAY. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ANY DISCUSSION? WE DO HAVE TWO FOLKS -- ACTUALLY ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 15.
JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
YES. ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA, ONE ITEM I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION. THAT'S ITEM NO. 15. WHAT DOES IT SAY? BASICALLY IT STATES THAT -- IT'S A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LA VENTANA APARTMENTS, LOCATED ON CINEMA RIDGE OVER BY THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING FACILITY CORPORATION, A PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION. I LOOKED AT SOME OF THE AGENDA MEMORANDUMS BEFORE THIS, THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTS, AND I NOTICED THAT, DOGGONIT, WELL, THIS IS IN THE AREA OF TOWN WHERE MS. HAVRDA, I BELIEVE YOU'RE THE CITY COUNCIL PERSON FOR THAT. LOOKING AT THE DOCUMENTS, I THINK CITIZENS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING THAT EXACTLY WHAT'S THE NATURE OF THESE APARTMENTS OR WHAT'S THE NATURE OF THE FINANCING FOR IT THAT YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL, ARE SUPPORTING HERE? WELL, IT SAYS THAT IN THE YELLOW AREA IT SAYS AREA MEDIAN INCOME, THAT'S AMI. NOW SCROLL A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN AND IT SAYS THE DEVELOPMENT WOULD RESULT IN THE CREATION OF AT LEAST 27 UNITS FOR FAMILIES EARNING AT OR BELOW 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
AND AT LEAST 109 UNITS FOR FAMILIES EARNING AT OR BELOW AT 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. WE CAN RETURN THE CAMERA NOW.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION, EVERYONE, THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS, THIS IS, IN MY WORDS, WELFARE HOUSING. WELFARE HOUSING. YES.
AND, I MEAN, YOU THE CITY, AS A CITY COUNCIL WHO LEADS THE CITY IN ALL ITS
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PROGRAMS, YOU ROUTINELY APPROVE OF SUCH INITIATIVES. YOU'RE OFFERING A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. AND, MS. HAVRDA, DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE WELFARE HOUSING IN THE FAR WEST SIDE --T OF TOWN IN YOUR AREA? DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE PEOPLE TO HAVE TO LIVE HERE THE WELFARE HOUSING THAT IS GOING TO BE SET UP OVER HERE? I THINK YOU WOULD WANT TO SAY NO TO THIS. MAYBE YOU WOULD WANT TO ACTUALLY DO THE UNUSUAL THING AND SAY LET ME PULL ITEM NO. 15 FOR SOME DELIBERATION HERE.YOU KNOW? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT AND MAYBE EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL FOR WELFARE HOUSING.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. I DON'T SEE ANY -- COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THERE'S TWO ITEMS THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT. ONE OF WHICH IS ITEM NO. 5, THE WEST COLLEGE LINK TRAIL CONNECTION. THESE UPGRADES WILL PROVIDE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY FOR RESIDENTS AND RUNS ACROSS SIX EDGEWOOD ISD SCHOOLS, CONNECTING EDGEWOOD ISD STUDENTS LEADING UP TO ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY, PAVING A PATH TO HIGHER EDUCATION. I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THAT ITEM.
I'M ALSO EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT 16 AND I SEE THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM AND THE CONSULTANT. GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE CONVERSATIONS THAT Y'ALL FACILITATED WITH COMMUNITY. IT WAS ONE OF THE MEETINGS WHERE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO LEAVE, EVEN THOUGH I HAD ANOTHER COMMITMENT, BUT IT WAS SO INTERESTING, ROBUST, AND JUST REALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU ALL WERE THERE TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS.
I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR ITEM 15 BECAUSE THIS DESIGNATION MEANS WE'RE ONE STEP CLOSER FOR A REGIONAL PARK OVER AT MEMORIAL PARK. THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR WORK.
I KNOW DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS ARE EXCITED TO ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESS BUT THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE BIG MILESTONES WE HAD TO REACH FIRST.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND WORK ON THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 17 TODAY. THIS IS A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND A CONSULTANT NAMED WORKSHOP TO UPDATE THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR PLAN.
THEY ARE GOING TO PREPARE AN ANALYSIS FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM AND LOOK AT THE OVERALL EXISTING CONDITIONS OF THE CORRIDOR TO DO THINGS TO MAKE IT MORE SAFE AND PALATABLE FOR BUSINESSES TO INVEST IN THE AREA. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CONSULTANT, WORKSHOP, FOR THEIR ONGOING DEDICATION TO DISTRICT 10 AND STICKING WITH US THROUGH THIS PROCESS. I WANT TO PAY SPECIAL THANKS TO A MEMBER OF MY DISTRICT 10 TEAM, PAULINE RUBIO. SHE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS ISSUE. THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE DISTRICT 10 AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE COMING.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 5, THE WEST COLLEGE LINK TRAIL. THIS PROJECT WILL CONNECT STUDENTS FROM ST. MARY'S AND MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL TO THE TRAILS. WHILE IT LIES PRIMARILY IN DISTRICT 5, IT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 5 AND DISTRICT 7. YOU KNOW, THIS INCREASES WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY FOR PEOPLE ATTENDING OR LIVING IN THAT AREA. ALSO, TOO, I CONSTANTLY NOTE THAT ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE IS NOT ONLY BENEFICIAL TO PEOPLE'S PHYSICAL HEALTH BUT ALSO MENTAL HEALTH. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TRAILS CONTINUE TO BE SAFE AND SECURE AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE WHEN USING THIS TRAIL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANKS, MAYOR.
I'M PROUD TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 10, THE APPROVAL OF MR. RICHARD GONZALES AS A DISTRICT 6 REPRESENTATIVE ON THE SAN ANTONIO DIEZ Y SEIS COMMISSION.
HE WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE WITH A PASSION FOR SERVING HIS COMMUNITY.
HIS COMMITMENT TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS EVIDENT IN HIS LIFE'S WORK, FROM VOLUNTEERING TO THE FOOD BANK TO SERVING ON HIS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOARD, RICHARD HAS SHOWN THAT SERVICE ISN'T JUST SOMETHING HE DOES, IT'S WHO HE IS. HIS DEDICATION WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED WHEN HE RECEIVED THE GOLD LETTER AWARD FOR HIS SUPPORT OF HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS. I KNOW HE WILL BRING LEADERSHIP TO THE DIEZ Y SEIS COMM COMMISSION .
CONGRATULATIONS, RICHARD. DISTRICT 6 IS HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.
THANKS. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
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I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 4 ELLA AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER. SPEAKING OF BLACK LEADERS, THE NAMESAKE OF THIS FACILITY WAS A COURAGEOUS SAN ANTONIAN WHO OPENED HER HOME TO THE CHILDREN IN NEED. SHE AND HER HUSBAND PURCHASED A TWO-STORY FACILITY ON THE EASTSIDE TO SERVE AS AN ORPHANAGE.AFTER THE ORPHANAGE CLOSED, THE ELLA AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER OPENED.
NOW IT'S IN A NEW LOCATION BUT IT HAS FACED MANY CHALLENGES AND THERE'S BEEN MUCH FEAR THAT IT WOULD NOT LAST ITS DETERIORATION. WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE IN 2021, THE PROJECT THE COMMUNITY WAS MOST ANXIOUS FOR WAS ELLA AUSTIN.
IT NEEDED OVER $20 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENT AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROJECT THROUGH AND TO HELP ENSURE THAT THIS STAPLE OF THE EASTSIDE IS GIVEN NEW LIFE AND WILL PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE DECADES TO COME. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON -- COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NO. 12. I DIDN'T WANT THIS DAY TO PASS BEFORE WE SEE THAT WE WILL ORDER THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025.
AND THEN A RUNOFF ELECTION TO BE HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2025.
BECAUSE THIS WILL BE AN ELECTION THAT CALLS FOR FOUR-YEAR TERMS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THAT TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT? HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM 9.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NO. 9.
>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 9 IS A RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, JANIE GONZALEZ, DR. WILLIS MACKEY, DR. FRANCINE ROMERO JOHN T. STEEN, RUDY GARZA, AND CORY KUCHINSKY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE SA ENERGY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION FOR TERMS COMMENCING FEBRUARY 1, 2025, AND EXPIRING JANUARY 31,
2027. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM
9. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM NO. 9.
COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I BROUGHT THIS UP FOR SOME CLARIFICATION. IN THIS RESOLUTION, WE'RE APPOINTING THESE MEMBERS TO SERVE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, BASICALLY, UNTIL JANUARY 31ST, 2027. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A CPS REPRESENTATIVE HERE OR IF THE CITY ATTORNEY CAN KIND OF ANSWER MY QUESTION ON THIS.
BUT THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS ON THIS BOARD WHO WILL BE TERM LIMITED OUT BEFORE THE END OF THEIR TERM OF APPOINTMENT. AND SO I'M WONDERING WILL THOSE POSITIONS BE REALLOCATED TO A NEW INDIVIDUAL OR WILL THEY
REMAIN EVEN BEYOND THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE? >> SEGOVIA: COUNCILMAN, YES, I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THAT WHAT WE DO IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES IS ONCE, FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A NEW MAYOR. ONCE THE NEW MAYOR IS SEATED, WE WILL HAVE A RESOLUTION BACK TO THE COUNCIL, THE CITY COUNCIL, TO THEN APPOINT THE THEN-CURRENT MAYOR TO THIS BODY. THAT'S THE WAY WE USUALLY DO IT IS ONCE THERE'S A NEW POSITION, WE HAVE A SEPARATE RESOLUTION APPOINTING THAT
INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS TO THE PFC. >> COURAGE: SO IF A CPS BOARD MEMBER LEAVES, CPS WILL RECOMMEND TO US SOMEBODY ELSE TO FILL THAT
SEAT? >> SEGOVIA: THAT IS CORRECT, COUNCILMAN.
>> COURAGE: THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT'S ALL, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER
COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: ANDY, I HAVE A QUESTION TO THE RESOLUTION, ONCE A NEW MAYOR IS ELECTED. IN THE SA ENERGY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FACILITATION CORPORATION, DOES IT HAVE TO BE THE MAYOR THAT SITS ON
THAT CORPORATION? >> SEGOVIA: THE CURRENT BYLAWS, YES, COUNCILWOMAN,
SAY IT HAS TO BE THE MAYOR. >> VIAGRAN: AND THE CURRENT BYLAWS SAY THAT THE
MAYOR HAS TO SIT ON THE CPS BOARD? >> SEGOVIA: I'M SORRY.
FOR THIS ORGANIZATION, THE PFC -- FOR THE PFC IT SAYS THE CPS BOARD, COMPRISED OF THE MAYOR AND OTHER APPOINTEES HAVE TO BE APPOINTED TO THIS BODY.
BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. IN TERMS OF THE SITTING ON THE CPS BOARD , IT IS THE
MAYOR CALLED FOR TO BE ON THE BOARD. >> VIAGRAN: THAT'S IN
[00:35:04]
THEIR BYLAWS THAT IT HAS TO BE THE MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO, NOT A CITY COUNCILPERSON.>> SEGOVIA: CORRECT. >> VIAGRAN: I WANT TO CLARIFY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE -- MAKES THE DECISIONS FOR CPS, AND WE CAN ALWAYS STILL EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS
WE CAN DO WITH CPS, IN TERMS OF BOARD MAKEUP, CORRECT? >> SEGOVIA: THAT'S
CORRECT, YES. >> VIAGRAN: ALL RIGHT. JUST CLARIFYING THAT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 9? I'M SORRY.
WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. JACK FINGER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
ONCE AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT, LET'S READ THE ACTUAL WORDING ON THIS ORDINANCE, IF YOU WOULD.
ITEM NO. 9 THERE. YEAH. LET'S SEE.
IT SAYS RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, JANIE GONZALEZ, MACKEY, ROMERO, STEEN, GARZA, KUCHINSKY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE SAN ANTONIO ENERGY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION FOR TERMS COMMENCING FEBRUARY 1, 2025, THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED, AND EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2027.
OKAY. RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM.
YOU KNOW, MR. COURAGE, I'M ACTUALLY GLAD YOU BROUGHT THIS UP BECAUSE THIS IS MY QUESTION AS WELL. THE WORDING HERE TELLS US THAT MAYOR NIRENBERG IS GOING TO BE ON THIS BOARD ALL THE WAY UNTIL 2027. SHOULD YOU APPROVE IT IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES HERE? NOW, THE FACT REMAINS THAT THIS BOARD SPECIFICALLY DESIRES TO HAVE THE MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO BE ON AS THE MEMBER REPRESENTING ALL THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO. BUT AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY SAYS DON'T WORRY.
WE'LL TAKE CARE OF A RESOLUTION WHEN THE TIME COMES ON THAT.
BUT THAT'S PRETTY PRESUMPTUOUS, WOULDN'T YOU SAY? WE DON'T KNOW THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN. SO, AND QUITE FRANKLY, MR. MAYOR, YOU'RE THE ONE WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION.
I WOULD THINK THAT, FOR THE PURPOSES OF TRANSPARENCY AND --O DO THE RIGHT THING, WHY DON'T YOU OFFER LANGUAGE DECLARING, CLEARING UP WHAT SHOULD BE THE CASE HERE SO THAT YOU WON'T BE -- THERE'S NO CONFUSION BETWEEN CITIZENS WHO SEE YOU.
BECAUSE OTHERWISE, PERSONS WILL THINK THERE'S A BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST HERE.
LIKE I SAY, IT'S PRETTY PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY IT'S ALL GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF LATER ON. WE DON'T KNOW THAT. MR. MAYOR OR MR. COURAGE OR SHALL BE ON THIS COUNCIL DO A LITTLE CLARIFICATION. CALL A CITY ATTORNEY WHO CAN
OFFER SUCH LANGUAGE. THANK YOU . >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER -- I DID IT AGAIN. I'M SORRY.
THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. WELL, IF IT MAKES ANYONE FEEL BETTER, I WILL PLEDGE PUBLICLY TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AFTER THE ELECTION AND I WILL NOT BE STAYING LONGER THAN WHAT IS
CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I WANTED TO CHIME IN ON THIS ITEM TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF EXPECTATIONS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS GAVE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE DECEMBER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES COMMITTEE. SOME OF THE EXPECTATIONS THAT THEY LAID OUT WAS MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS WITH THE COMMUNITY INPUT COMMITTEES.
DR. VILLAREAL, OUR DISTRICT 5 APPOINTEE, EXPRESSED THESE SUBCOMMITTEES IS WHERE THERE'S DISCUSSION ON RATE INCREASES AND WHATEVER THE TOPIC FOR EACH SUBCOMMITTEE DISCUSSES. AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS BE PUBLIC. IN DISCUSSION IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC TOPICS AND CONTENT THAT SHOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE DISCUSSED PUBLIC.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO GO INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THOSE DETAILS.
BUT I BELIEVE, AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO GAVE PUBLIC COMMENT, AND WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS IS THESE CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY INPUT COMMITTEES SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL
[00:40:02]
PUBLIC. I UNDERSTAND WE'RE MAKING THE DECISION TO APPROVE THESE FOLKS BUT MY EXPECTATION OF THE APPOINTEES, FOLKS BEING REAPPOINTED, IS THAT THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE MADE PUBLIC AND ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS. THIS IS THEIR PUBLIC UTILITY AND WHEN WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING, STAGNANT WAGES, MANY FAMILIES ARE ALSO FEELING THE ECONOMIC BURDEN AND IMPACT OF INCREASED UTILITIES AND WE OWE IT TO THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE RATEPAYERS, TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE AND PUBLIC AND, OF COURSE, I DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS INFORMATION THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL BUT THAT'S WHEN I BELIEVE THE COMMITTEES CAN GO INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THOSE DETAILS. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO THE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES COMMITTEE BY THE PUBLIC AND BY OUR DISTRICT 5 APPOINTEE TO THE CIC AS WELL. THAT'S MY EXPECTATION IS THAT THEIR REQUEST TO HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE CONSIDERED AND THERE IS A DECISION MADE TO IMPLEMENT A RESOLUTION FOR THOSE PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU, MAYOR.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: YEAH, JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO ECHO THE COUNCILWOMAN'S COMMENTS.
WE KNOW CPS ENERGY HAS RAISED RATES ON OUR CITIZENS NOW TWICE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY IN EVERYTHING THAT NOT ONLY OUR CITY GOVERNMENT DOES BUT THAT TAKES PLACE AT SAWS AND CERTAINLY CPS ENERGY AS WELL.
I THANK THE COUNCILWOMAN FOR THOSE COMMENTS AND JUST ECHO EVERYTHING THAT SHE SAID.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? AND JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE ACQUISITION'S CORP HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS. THERE ARE NO SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE ASSET CORP.
BUT I HEAR YOU ON THE SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE CPS ENERGY BOARD.
ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 9. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. THAT IS ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
ERIK, IS THERE A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT? >> WALSH: TWO QUICK ITEMS. ONE I WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL. IF YOU DIDN'T SEE THE NEWS THAT SAN ANTONIO AGAIN WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIE MAKER. A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN 2024. WE MOVED UP IN OUR RANKINGS AND PART OF THE ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE SAW AND RECOGNIZED THE SUPPLEMENTAL FILM INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT THE CITY HAS. THE EFFICIENCY OF CREWS THAT WORK HERE AND THE DIVERSE LOCATIONS. AND AN OVERALL INCREASE IN FILMING IN SAN ANTONIO IN 2024. CONGRATULATIONS TO KRYSTAL AND THE ARTS AND CULTURAL DEPARTMENT AND THE FILM COMMISSION FOR CONTINUING TO MAKE INROADS IN AREA AND I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH THE COUNCIL.
SECONDLY, OUR EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT VIDEO IS AN EMPLOYEE OUT AT THE AIRPORT.
HIS NAME IS ERIC. I MET, I GUESS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, SIX YEARS AGO.
WE BOTH TRAINED FOR A MARATHON TOGETHER. DIDN'T KNOW HIM BEFORE.
ERIC HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY SINCE 2018. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE DOES IS A VERY UNIQUE JOB AT THE AIRPORT. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ERIC AND WHAT HE DOES. I WON'T SPOIL IT. LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO.
LET IT GO. GOOD. TODAY AT ST. PHILIPS WE WERE INVITED TO INTRODUCE AVIATION TO THE YOUTH THAT WERE ATTENDING.
ENCOURAGING KIDS TO TRY SOMETHING THAT THEY NEVER TRIED BEFORE.
WE BROUGHT THE MOBILE FLIGHT SIMULATOR. I ASKED SOME OF MY PILOT FRIENDS TO VOLUNTEER. OH, WE GOT SOME KIDS IN THERE RIGHT NOW.
WHEN YOU ENTER THE FLIGHT SIMULATOR, WE ACTUALLY HAVE YOU GO DOWN TO THE SEATING AREA, GET IN THE PILOT SEAT, AND WE WALK YOU THROUGH THE BASIC INSTRUMENTS THAT YOU WOULD USE IN ORDER TO OPERATE A SIMULATOR AIRCRAFT.
WE'LL SHOW THEM TECHNIQUES FOR TAKING THE AIRCRAFT TO ALTITUDE, CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT. AND THAT'S BASICALLY IT. MY JOB IS TO GIVE STUDENTS ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO AVIATION THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO FLY FOR FREE, SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, BECOME A PILOT, AVIATION TECHNICIAN.
[00:45:01]
PROBABLY THE MOST ENJOYABLE PIECE OF THIS JOB IS ACTUALLY PRESENTING SOME OF THIS INFORMATION TO YOUTH AND THEN ACTUALLY HAVE THEM JUST, ON A LEAP OF FAITH, SAYING, HEY, I'M GOING TO TRY THIS OUT. AND ACTUALLY BECOMING A PILOT. HAVING A TOOL THAT THEY CAN TAKE AROUND THE CITY, ENGAGE STUDENTS. THE INNOVATIVE PART OF THAT IN BUILDING THIS WHOLE PROGRAM IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR ORGANIZATION IS VERY PROUD OF.I WILL GO ANYWHERE, ANY TIME TO PRESENT THIS INFORMATION AND GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY
AND ACCESS TO AVIATION. [APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: IF THE COUNCIL WANTS US TO BRING THE TRAILER DOWN HERE SO YOU CAN GET IN THE FLIGHT SIMULATOR,
JUST LET ME KNOW. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK. ALL RIGHT. OKAY.
WE DO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY. THE TIME IS NOW 9:57 A.M. ON THE 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 AND TO DELIBERATE OR DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.087. PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.072. LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING THE CITY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PURSUANT TO 551.071, AND DELIBERATE THE 2024 EVALVATION FOR THE CITY CLERK AND PRESIDING MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND ANY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.