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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYOE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. THE TIME IS 9:15 A.M. ON THE 13TH 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 OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION.
TO GET US STARTED TODAY, I'LL TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME PASTOR MICHAEL STEVE BROWN TODAY.
HE IS THE PASTOR OF THE TRUE VISION CHURCH. HE IS A MULTIGENERATIONAL VOICE AND A GIFTED TEACHER AND PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL. PASTOR BROWN HAS LED TRUE VISION CHURCH FOR 28 YEARS AND TRUE VISION HAS ESTABLISHED TWO LOCATIONS AND A LARGE AND GROWING MEMBERSHIP. PASTOR BROWN PREACHES THREE SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY, TEACHES TWO BIBLE SERVICES EACH WEEK.
HE HAS ALSO BEEN A REGULAR HOST WITH TRINITY'S BROADCAST NETWORK.
PASTOR BROWN HAS SERVED FAITHFULLY FOR FIVE YEARS AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST'S UNION OF SAN ANTONIO. HE CURRENTLY SERVES THIS MINISTRY AS A CITYWIDE REVIVAL CHAIR. IN 2010 HE GAVE LEADERSHIP OVER SAN ANTONIO'S UNITED YCOLLEGE FUND HE HAS LED THE EFFORTS TO START A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WHICH STARTED IN 2015 AND HAS RAISED OVER $50,000 TO DATE. PASTOR BROWN IS A 1994 CUM LAUDE GRADUATE. HE RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES. PASTOR BROWN CURRENTLY SERVES AS ONE OF MY APPOINTEES TO THE SAN ANTONIO MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMISSION.
A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. PASTOR BROWN IS MARRIED TO THE FORMER JOY DENISE CYRUS AND THEY HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TWO CHILDREN, MICHAEL AND ANGELA. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> THANKS TO COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ FOR THE INVITATION TO SHARE AN INVOCATION TODAY. LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. HEAVENLY FATHER WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY IN GRATITUDE. AS WE OPEN THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING, WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS ROOM, SEEK YOUR WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, AND GUIDANCE AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CITY.
LORD, DURING THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE PAUSE TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE US, THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM, EQUITY, JUSTICE.
WE REMEMBER THE COURAGE OF HARRIETT TUBMAN, THE RESILIENCE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND MARTIN LUTHER KING WHO CALLED FOR JUSTICE TO ROLL DOWN LIKE WATERS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM. MAY THEIR SACRIFICES NOT BE FORGOTTEN AND MAY WE CONTINUE THEIR WORK WITH UNWAVERING COMMITMENT.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSINGS TODAY, LORD, UPON OUR MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIK WALSH, OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OF ALL OF THE DISTRICTS, TEN IN SAN ANTONIO. GRANT THEM COMPASSION LIKE THE NAMELESS GOOD SAMARITAN
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WHO HELPED A BEATEN, ROBBED, AND LEFT FOR DEAD NEIGHBOR BY THE SIDE OF THE R ROAD .MAY THE DECISIONS TODAY HONOR YOU IN THE KINGDOM, REFLECTING FAIRNESS, UNITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO THE WELL BEING OF ALL CITIZENS. LET THIS MEETING BE A PLACE WHERE DIVERSITY IS CELEBRATED, VOICES ARE HEARD, AND PROGRESS IS MADE.
REMIND US, LORD, THAT TRUE LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT POWER BUT ABOUT SERVIE.
JUST AS YOU HAVE CALLED US TO BE SERVANTS, ONE TO ANOTHER.
FATHER, MAY WE NOT ONLY CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY BUT ALSO BE INSPIRED TO CREATE HISTORY. A FUTURE WITH JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND OPPORTUNITY WILL FLOURISH FOR ALL PEOPLE. STRENGTHEN OUR RESOLVE TO BREAK BARRIERS, UPLIFT THE MARGINALIZED AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY ROOTED IN LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING. BLESS, LORD, THIS MEETING. BLESS OUR CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. BLESS THE WORK WE DO TODAY. WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, OUR LORD CHRIST, AMEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REVEREND BROWN .
TO BEGIN OUR DAY TODAY, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 29 AND 30, 2025. ITEM NO. 3. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 3.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE A FULL CONSENT AGENDA TODAY AND ALL ITEMS ARE LISTED FOR CONSENT. I'LL NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT ITEMS 20 AND 25 HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN AND WILL NOT BE HEARD TODAY. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FROM CONSENT FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION? ITEM NO. 8, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. 28, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
8 AND 28. ANY OTHERS? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 8 AND 28.
AND THEN 20 AND 25, WHICH HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE DO HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON
CONSENT ITEMS. JACK FINGER. >> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. AND I SIGNED UP ON A NUMBER OF ITEMS TODAY BUT THEY ALL HAVE ONE BIG THEME ALL ATTACHED TO IT.
BASICALLY WHAT IS IT? WELL, THIS IS WHAT IT BASICALLY LOOKS LIKE.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOUR ITEMS, 60-PLUS PERCENT OF TODAY'S ACTION ITEMS WOULD APPROVE OF WELFARE HOUSING. WELFARE HOUSING. THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL ARE GOING TO JUST ALLOW TO SAIL RIGHT ON THROUGH. YEAH, RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD. YES. AND I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL REALLY WANT TO DO THIS TO OUR CITY, KIND OF JUST LOWER THE STANDARDS OF THOSE OF US WHO ARE TRYING TO EKE OUT A LIVING HERE IN OUR CITY, BUT ONE -- SHUCKS, ONE LOCATION -- THIS IS PRETTY MUCH ALL OVER THE CITY BUT LOCATED IN JUST A FEW PARTICULAR DISTRICTS. ONE OF THEM IS IN DISTRICT 10.
YES, MR. WHYTE, I NOTICED THAT WHAT IS AT THE THOUSAND OAKS DRIVE IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL, FLIP THE PAGE TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE, IF YOU CAN. PREVIOUS -- NO, THE OTHER WAY.
THERE YOU GO. IT KIND OF DESCRIBES -- YEAH, THERE YOU GO.
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KIND OF DESCRIBES WHAT EXACTLY THIS IS ALL ABOUT HERE.THE UNDERLINED AREA SAYS ALL THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS WOULD HELP ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES AT OR BELOW 30% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
50% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. AND 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. NOW, MAYBE YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS IN THE -- ALL THE AREA OF DISTRICT 10 BUT I KNOW OF A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THOUSAND OAKS DRIVE THAT PROBABLY WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE IN A COMPLEX WHOSE INHABITANTS DIDN'T PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR THEIR HOUSING LIKE THEY, THEIR NEIGHBORS DID.
AND, YES, SO I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT ALL THE OTHER DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE AS WELL. YES. BASICALLY, ITEMS NO. 13 -- NO, 11, 12, 13. IT GOES -- LET'S SEE. CAN I BRIEFLY LOOK AT IT WITH THE LITTLE TIME I HAVE REMAINING? ITEMS 11 THROUGH 26 ARE PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE CITY BUT MS. ROCHA GARCIA, WHO IS NOT IN HER CHAIR RIGHT NOW, SHE HAS THE LION'S SHARE OF HALF OF THEM THERE.
THEY ALSO ARE SPREAD OUT WITH MS. HAVRDA AND MS. GAVITO YOU HAVE SOME IN
YOURS AS WELL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
THAT'S EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT ITEMS. WE'LL TAKE COUNCIL DISCUSSION NOW. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
>> COURAGE: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT ITEM 13 ALSO BE WITHDRAWN FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS
THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT ON THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO REMOVING ITEM 13 FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION?
SO WE'LL HEAR ITEM 13 AS WELL INDIVIDUALLY. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU,
MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANKS, MAYOR.
I'M HIGHLIGHTING ITEM 8, WELCOMING VETERINARIANS TO SAN ANTONIO.
ACS IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT 6 BUT SERVES OUR WHOLE REGION. THIS IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.
RIGHT NOW THERE'S A NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF VETERINARIANS AND BRINGING MORE SKILLED DOCTORS TO OUR CITY IS NO SMALL FEAT. A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR CITY STAFF FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. ALSO HIGHLIGHTING OUR -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT ITEM NUMBER IT IS, SORRY. BUT -- AS CHAIR OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, I UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES THE EFFORT SO IMPORTANT TO BRING IN THE APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN ANTONIO RISING STARS.
I THINK IT'S ITEM 28. THOSE PROGRAMS GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE POSITIVE OUTLETS, LEARN IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS, AND KEEP THEM AWAY FROM A LIFE OF CRIME.
EVERY DOLLAR WE INVEST IS A SAFER, STRONGER COMMUNITY. SO I HIGHLIGHT THAT ITEM AS
WELL. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. WE HAVE PULLED 8 AND 28, THOUGH, SO WE'RE GOING TO HEAR THAT AGAIN. THAT WAS A PRACTICE RUN.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS. FIRST I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH ITEM NO. 5 FOR PARKS AND REC. THIS WILL IMPACT TWO MAJOR PARKS IN DISTRICT 7. THIS WILL ALLOW ALCOHOL AT MAC WYLIE GOLF CENTER LOCATED AT O.P. SCHNABEL PARK. THIS IS ON PAR WITH OTHER GOLF FACILITIES AND THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORTS THIS CHANGE.
THIS ITEM WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR VENDORS IN THE COMMUNITY WI-FI ROOM AT WOODLAWN LAKE PARK. THIS REQUEST WAS THE RESULT OF A LOT OF NEIGHBORS ASKING FOR FOOD AND COFFEE VENDING AT WOODLAWN LAKE. IT MAKES THE PARK STICKY.
PEOPLE WILL WANT TO STAY THERE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO ENJOY COFFEE AFTER THEIR MORNING WALK. THANK YOU TO THE WOODLAWN LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR INPUT. THANK YOU TO PARKS AND REC FOR WORKING WITH US AND BEING RECEPTIVE TO THIS CHANGE. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE $3.25 MILLION OF FEDERAL GRANT COMING TO WOODLAWN LAKE SO THERE'S A LOT OF NICE UPGRADES COMING TO THE PARK. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE FOOD AND COFFEE OPTIONS AND THIS WILL ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.
I ALSO HAVE SOME APPOINTEES I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. 6A, APPOINTING DR. CODY MILLER. CODY, IF YOU DON'T MIND PLEASE STANDING.
DR. MILLER WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO AND HAS LONGTIME TIES TO DISTRICT 7. HE HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 25 YEARS AND HAS
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AUDIO] ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND A PRINCIPAL. HE HAS WORKED AT HARLANDALE, SOUTHWEST, AND NORTH EAST ISD. HE CURRENTLY SERVES IN NORTHSIDE ISD AS THE DIRECTOR OF ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND IN HIS ROLE HE WORKS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR CHILDREN AT NEARLY 100 SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR ADULTS THROUGH ESL, GED, CITIZENSHIP, AND CLASSES. HE HAS FIVE CHILDREN. I AM SO EXCITED FOR DR. MILLER TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 7 ON THIS COMMISSION.HE BRINGS VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE AND I KNOW HE WILL BE A WONDERFUL ADDITION. THANK YOU, DR. MILLER FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 6B, APPOINTING MELISSA VILLANUEVA TO THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
MELISSA, PLEASE STAND. MELISSA IS HERE WITH HER HUSBAND, JIMMY.
MELISSA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO. SHE IS A PROUD AUDIO] AND IS A GRADUATE OF JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL IN DISTRICT 7.
SHE EARNED HER BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM THE WORLD-RENOWNED CONRAD AND HILTON COLLEGE OF GLOBAL HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
SHE CURRENTLY WORKS AS THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR NOLA BRUNCH AND BEIGNETS AND SHE IS COMMITTED TO CHANGING THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY BY MAKING IT A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE . SHE SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND IS A MENTOR . I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING HER UNIQUE EXPERTISE SHE WILL BRING TO THIS COMMITTEE. THTHANK YOU, MELISSA, FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE HOMEGROWN TALENT REPRESENTING DISTRICT 7. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS APPOINTMENT.
FINALLY, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT DR.-- 7A, DR. ADELITA CANTU.
DR. CANTU WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US BUT I WANT TO GIVE HER A SHOUT OUT AND EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR HER. DR. CANTU HAS BEEN A LONGTIME ADVOCATE AND LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY AND ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE JUSTICE AND IS ALSO AN IMPRESSIVE RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 7. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 7C, THE APPOINTMENT OF LIZA MYER TO THE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM DIRECTOR. LIZA HAS BEEN A LEADER FOR 20-PLUS YEARS IN DESIGNING COST-EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AND USAA. SHE HAS BEEN A SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT.
HER EXPERTISE SPANS RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION, LANDFILL DIVERSION, TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY. SHE HOLDS A BA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM UTSA AND AN MA FROM ST. MARY'S. LIZA IS GOING TO DO GREAT AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 10 WHICH ENSURES THE HOME INSPECTIONS FOR OUR HOME REHABILITATION PROGRAM CONTINUE. THIS ENSURES THAT WE'RE PERFORMING SO MANY HOME REPAIRS THAT WE HAVE EXCEEDED OUR CURRENT CAPACITY. IN FACT, SINCE 2021, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS NEARLY DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF HOMES REPAIRED, REHABILITATED, AND RECONSTRUCTED. WITH THIS LAST BUDGET WE APPROVED OVER $30 MILLION FOR HOME REPAIR AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE GAS ENSURING THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN HOME REHAB PROGRAMS. I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THEY'RE DOING. I KNOW MANY DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS COUNT ON THIS PROGRAM SO THANK YOU TO THE BUILDERS, DHD AND NHSD AS
WELL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 8, 28, 13, AND THEN 20 AND 25, WHICH HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN.
PLEASE VOTE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: AYE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE DIDN'T GET YOUR AUDIO BUT I THINK YOU SAID "AYE."
>> VIAGRAN: AYE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES. BEFORE WE GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, I'D LIKE TO REMIND US OF WHAT PASTOR BROWN JUST SAID, WHICH IS SAN ANTONIO IS A COMMUNITY AND THESE ARE A CHAMBERS THAT WILL ALWAYS CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY. IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE BLACK HISTORY AND HERITAGE MONTH
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IN SAN ANTONIO AND WE WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT BLACK HISTORY IS IN FACT AMERICAN HISTORY AND WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS WITH US TODAY.I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR -- THE MEMBERS OF THE AFM LOCAL 23 TO COME UP AND HELP US ENJOY AND LEAD OUR WEEKLY RECOGNITION DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH HERE IN
THE CHAMBERS. WELCOME, YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK, ATTEND, AND PERFORM FOR YOU THIS MORNING.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. MY COLLEAGUES WITH ME ARE MR. RENEE FORD, SAXOPHONIST AND PERFORMING ARTIST. AND MR. RILEY FRANCIS, PERCUSSIONIST AND MUSICIAN.
I AM A CELLIST AND EDUCATOR WITH ALAMO COLLEGES AND COASTAL BEND COLLEGE .
I GREW UP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND I'M A PRODUCT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WONDERFUL MUSIC AND ARTS EDUCATION IN SAN ANTONIO K-12 SCHOOLS.
TOGETHER WE REPRESENT ONLY A FEW OF THE VARIETY OF MUSICIANS AND PERFORMING ARTS WORKERS IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. IT IS OUR HOPE IN AFM23 TO EXPAND OUR SUPPORT AND DEFINITION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MUSICIAN IN SAN ANTONIO. MR. FRANCIS IS GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS AS WELL.
>> HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR NIRENBERG, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF MR. ROBERT CHARLES, WHO FROM 1947 TO 1960 WAS PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 658, THE BLACK MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO. HE HELD THAT POSITION UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1960. IN ADDITION TO BEING A MUSICIAN, HE WAS AN OFFICER WITH THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LATER IN HIS LIFE HE WAS A CUSTODIAN AT SCHOOLS IN SAISD. HE WAS A MENTOR AND FINE MUSICIAN AND PART OF THE TRADITION OF JAZZ PLAYING THAT BEGAN IN THAT PERIOD THAT CONTINUES NOW.
AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE TO BRING HIM INTO THIS SPACE TODAY AND TO HAVE HIM WITH US. HE IS ALSO A WORLD WAR I VETERAN AND IS BURIED AT FORT SAM. AND WE FEEL A KINSHIP JUST THINKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT HE WAS MAKING A LIVING. MANY OF US ARE TEACHERS.
MANY OF US ARE MENTORS. MANY OF US ARE VETERANS. AND WE HAVE A VARIETY OF MEANS OF MAKING A LIVING AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY THAT WE LOVE SO VERY MUCH. AND OUR HOPE IS TO GROW THE ARTS IN THIS CITY. AND WE'RE HONORED TO BE HERE TO PERFORM FOR YOU TODAY.
THIS IS FOR ROBERT CHARLES. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
ALSO WITH US TODAY ARE THE LEADERS OF OUR SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND IN PARTICULAR THE WOMEN OF THE SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHO ARE A PART OF THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE . IF I CAN CALL LLI UP TO THE FRONT. IT IS THEIR TENTH ANNIVERSARY CLASS.
LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO LLI, AN IMPORTANT INSTITUTION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. [APPLAUSE] WELCOME BACK, LAURA.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU. IF I COULD HAVE MY COLLEAGUES JOIN ME UP HERE AS WELL. GOOD MORNING.
IT'S NICE TO BE ON THIS SIDE, I MUST SAY, AND NOT BE PREPARED FOR MANY, MANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HOSTING US THIS MORNING.
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TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE.I KNOW A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE MEMBERS. AND THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE IS A PROGRAM THAT PREPARES WOMEN FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES, WHETHER THEY WANT TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, SERVE ON BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS, OR ADVANCE IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEYS. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM WE'VE GOT 300 GRADUATES, MANY OF WHOM SERVE IN THOSE NONPROFIT ROLES, LEADERSHIP ROLES, CITY COUNCIL ROLES, AS WELL AS CITY COUNCIL IN FLORESVILLE. THIS PREPARES WOMEN FOR THAT JOURNEY AND OUR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY COHORT.
I'M JOINED BY MY CO-CHAIR AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
THE LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR FOR THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BIANCA.
LOUISE RODRIGUEZ AS WELL AS ALUMNI OF THE PROGRAM AND A FUTURE GRADUATE OF THE PROGRAM THAT WE SEE HERE AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
US THIS MORNING, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND I KNOW THERE'S A PROCLAMATION THAT'S COMING. I'M GOING TO READ IT.
JUST A SECOND. I DO KNOW THAT ESPECIALLY WITH A COUPLE OF LLI GRADUATES UP HERE, WE HAVE SOME COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL, SO LET ME TURN IT
OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, GUYS SO MUCH. I'M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED THAT Y'ALL ARE HERE TODAY.
AS LAURA ELIZABETH MENTIONED, I'M LLI CLASS ONE AND 11 YEARS AGO NOW I SAT IN A HISPANIC CHAMBER GALA AND THERE WAS VERY POWERFUL WOMEN THAT GOT UP AND SPOKE ABOUT THE FACT THAT LATINAS WERE VERY UNDERREPRESENTED IN LEADERSHIP.
IT INSPIRED ME TO APPLY FOR THE INAUGURAL CLASS. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GETTING INTO. ABOUT 30 WOMEN. WE WERE SIDE EYEING EACH OTHER, NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT. EVERY ONE OF THOSE WOMEN ARE MY SISTERS. SOME OF YOU ARE HERE THIS MORNING.
I HAVE HAD THE HONOR AND PLEASURE OF BEING ABLE TO SPEAK AT EVERY SINGLE COHORT SINCE THEN. I WANT TO KEEP THE STREAK GOING, SO I HOPE I GET TO COME TO THIS NEXT ONE. TO SEE THE GREAT TRAJECTORY THAT I HAVE SEEN YOU AND SO MANY WOMEN OF COLOR AND GOING THROUGH THIS PROGRAM HAS INSPIRED ME.
AND IT'S NOT JUST -- THOUGH I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THAT COUNCILWOMAN DR. KAUR AND I ARE HERE AS PRODUCTS. IN JUST TEN YEARS YOU PRODUCED TWO COUNCILWOMEN.
WE ALSO HAVE A JUDGE -- AND THAT WAS ALL FROM THE FIRST CLASS.
THERE'S JUST SO MANY MORE. KJ, YOU'RE HERE TODAY, KJ. SO, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T TELL YOU ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS PROGRAM. I WOULD NOT BE SITTING HERE TODAY BUT FOR THE INSPIRATION THAT THE WOMEN IN THAT PROGRAM GAVE ME.
YES, THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE WITH US AND TALKED WITH US ABOUT THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY BUT THE WOMEN THAT SAT AROUND ME. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR IT AND THANK YOU AND I HOPE TO GET TO SPEAK AT THIS NEXT CLASS AS WELL.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANT TO ALSO THANK YOU TO ERICA PROSPER WHO HELPED TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM .
WHEN I ACTUALLY GOT INTO LLI, IT WAS CLASS FIVE, COVID YEAR, SO I FELT LIKE I GOT A LITTLE SHAFTED. IT WAS SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
I GOT TO HEAR FROM SO MANY PEOPLE I IDOLIZED. I WENT TO THE LUNCHEON THE YEAR AFTER AND SAW COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA THERE AND I WAS TALKING TO THE FOLKS AT MY TABLE AND I WAS LIKE, DO YOU THINK IT'S OKAY IF I GO SAY HI TO HER? THESE ARE PEOPLE REREALLY LOOK UP TO AND SO IT WAS SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS APPLYING, ADRIANA WAS THE CHAIR AND I SAID I DON'T THINK I CAN GET IN. I'M NOT LATINA.
SHE SAID IT'S OKAY. IT'S FOR WOMEN OF COLOR. WE WANT ALL WOMEN OF COLOR TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE. I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE IT WAS TRULY AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL ARE DOING TO CONTINUE THE MISSION. THANK YOU TO THE CHAMBER FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AND FOREVER, BECAUSE WE STILL NEED IT. SO, THANK YOU, ALL. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL OF YOU ARE LEADERS ALREADY BUT YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO GROW THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. MY WIFE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS BUT SHE'S NOT -- THERE'S NOTHING SHE'S MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND WOMEN'S MENTORSHIP. IT'S A GREAT HONOR THAT I GET TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION . WHEREAS THE SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE IS A SIX-MONTH PROGRAM DESIGNED TO BUILD THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND CONFIDENCE THAT TODAY'S LATINA LEADERS NEED TO SUCCEED IN THEIR LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ASPIRATIONS OF RUNNING FOR ELECTED OFFICE, APPLYING FOR POSITIONS ON LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, OR CORPORATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, APPLYING FOR WHITE HOUSE APPOINTEE POSITIONS AND/OR INTERESTED
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IN LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT.WHEREAS THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE HAS GRADUATED MORE THAN 300 WOMEN IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, INCLUDING THREE CITY COUNCIL WOMEN IN SAN ANTONIO AND FLORESVILLE, ELECTED JUDGES, APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS, NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS, AND C-SUITE EXECUTIVES. WHEREAS THE INSTITUTE IS CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF CULTIVATING POSITIVE REPRESENTATION OF LATINAS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEREAS THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE WILL CELEBRATE ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY IN 2025 AND WILL TRAIN LATINA LEADERS ON HARNESSING THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL STRENGTHS, HOW TO ADVOCATE AT THE TEXAS CAPITAL, LEARNING HOW TO SERVE ON A BOARD OR COMMISSION, DEVELOPING A CAMPAIGN STRATEGY, AND HOW TO DEVELOP PUBLIC POLICY.
WHEREAS THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CONTINUES TO PRODUCE QUALIFIED LEADERS READY TO SERVE SAN ANTONIO, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HEREBY COMMEMORATES THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATION FOR THE MANY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE MEMBERS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 13, 2025 TO BE THE LATINA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS WITH BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS. CONGRATULATIONS, Y'ALL .
[APPLAUSE] ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE. YOU CAN'T LEAVE IN SILENCE. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. SO WE WILL NOW GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS AND AS A REMINDER, WE HAVE ITEMS 8, 28, AND 13. ITEMS 20 AND 25 WERE WITHDRAWN. LET'S GO AHEAD AND PULL UP ITEM NO. 13.
>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 13 IS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ENCINO RIO LOFTS, LLC APPLICATION FOR 2025 COMPETITIVE 9% HOUSING TAX CREDITS FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, TDHCA, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENCINO LOFTS, A 78-UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT SEC
OF NORTH U.S. HIGHWAY 281 AND ENCINO RIO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THIS ONE WAS PULLED BY COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
WE DO HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 28, THOUGH, SO LET ME CALL CHARLES SATTERWHITE. I'M SORRY, CHARLES. I CALLED THE WRONG NUMBER.
WE HAVE JACK FINGER ON 13. BELIEVE IT OR NOT YOU DID, JACK BUT IF YOU WANT TO WAIVE YOUR TIME, IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. MARK THE DAY, ERIK, MADAME CLERK, JACK FINGER WAIVED HIS TIME. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
>> COURAGE: ITEM 13 IS FOR -- WE FOR SENIOR HOUSING IN DISTRICT 9.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEVELOPERS FAILED TO DO SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS CRITICAL AND THAT IS TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT THE PROPERTY IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK THAT ALL OF US WOULD AGREE THAT WHENEVER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO HAVE INPUT FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND THE PROPOSAL. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THIS CASE.
I DON'T FEEL THAT MY OFFICE WAS SUFFICIENTLY NOTIFIED ABOUT EVERYTHING INVOLVED IN THIS. YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT I NOTICE THERE'S A DOZEN OTHER VERY WORTHY PROJECTS LISTED TODAY. SO I BELIEVE THAT ITEM 13 SHOULD NOT BE -- SHOULD NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL. SO I MOVE THAT WE DO NOT
PROVIDE A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR ITEM 13. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NEED A MOTION TO DENY. BUT I COULD DO IT THE OTHER
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WAY, ANDY, IF THAT'S PREFERRED. IF WE COULD GET A MOTION ONITEM 13 AND A NO-VOTE THEN WOULD BE TO DENY. >> COURAGE: I'LL MAKE THAT
A MOTION TO DENY, MAYOR. >> SEGOVIA: IT WORKS EITHER WAY, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION TO DENY. SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, AS YOU VOTE, A YES VOTE IS TO DENY THE RESOLUTION. A NO VOTE WOULD BE TO ESSENTIALLY GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND WE CAN ENTERTAIN A NEW MOTION.
SO IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEM 13? WAS THERE A SECOND ON THE MOTION TO DENY? OKAY. WITHOUT A SECOND, THAT
MOTION FAILS. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO DENY, SO THAT'S THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
IS THERE DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE CASE.
I SECONDED IT OUT OF COURTESY BUT CAN STAFF TALK TO US ABOUT THIS AND GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND, AND IF THE APPLICANT IS HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THERE.
IT IS A OF 78 UNITS. 100% OF THE PROPERTY IS PROPOSED TO BE AFFORDABLE.
10% OF THE UNITS ARE AT THE VERY DEEPLY AFFORDABLE, 30% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.
THE REASON IT SCORED THE WAY IT DID TO GET A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT IS HALF OF THE PROJECT IS FOR FAMILIES AT 50% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME OR BELOW.
SO THE COMBINATION OF HALF OF THEM AT 50% AND THEN AN ADDITIONAL 10% AT 30 REALLY HELPED IT GET THE MAXIMUM POINTS FOR AFFORDABILITY. AND THEN THE REST OF THE PROJECT IS FOR FAMILIES AT 60%. SO IT DID FOLLOW OUR COUNCIL-ADOPTED POLICY TO SCORE HIGH ENOUGH FOR A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT.
THE COUNCILMAN IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. THE DEVELOPER DID NOT HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING. THE CITY CANNOT REQUIRE THEM TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. BUT -- AND THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT DIDN'T HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING. THAT DOES HAPPEN.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNCIL OFFICE, DISCUSS THE PROJECT, REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE CANNOT TECHNICALLY REQUIRE A PUBLIC MEETING.
SO THE PROJECT DEVELOPER DID E-MAIL OR MAIL OUT AN INFORMATION PACKET.
OUR OFFICE IS LISTED AS THE POC IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
I VERIFIED WITH OUR TEAM THAT WE DID NOT GET ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY, FROM THAT INFORMATION PACKET. AND I THINK LET ME KNOW IF
YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. >> PELAEZ: THANKS FOR THAT. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF THOUSAND UNITS IN MY DISTRICT. THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING UNITS, TAX CREDIT UNITS THAT I HAVE APPROVED. AND THEN I'VE GOT THOUSANDS OF THEM THAT ARE MARKET RATE AND LUXURY. BUT IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM I ALWAYS REQUIRE THE DEVELOPER TO GO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS, RIGHT, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR. IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT, YOU'RE JUST CONFIRMING FOR ME THAT YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S SAD THAT THEY DON'T CARE ENOUGH. YOU'VE GOT MY SUPPORT,
COUNCILMAN. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT CAME UP IN THE HOUSING TRUST CONVERSATION, OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING THIS WEEK. COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND I ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING SO THAT WE CAN BRING BACK TO YOU ALL FOR DISCUSSION. BUT WHEN WE SUBMIT LETTERS OF SUPPORT, WE ARE BASICALLY GIVING -- I KNOW PETE IS HERE AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT IN A SECOND, BUT ALL OUR APPLICATIONS GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF WEIGHT AND THEY GET TO DECIDE WHO IS THE WINNER AND LOSER. AND SO THE LETTERS OF SUPPORT MEAN A LOT AND THEY COUNT FOR A LOT OF WEIGHT WHEN WE GIVE THEM.
I THINK IN THE FUTURE, FOR RIGHT NOW IF WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THEM ALL, I SAY WE SUPPORT THEM ALL. BUT IN THE FUTURE I THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER SITUATION WHERE THE PROJECT THAT GETS AWARDED AT THE END OF THE DAY HAS A ZONING CASE THAT DOESN'T GET APPROVED OR ALSO THERE'S ANOTHER RULE WHERE WITHIN A TWO-MILE RADIUS YOU CAN'T GET TWO PROJECTS APPROVED.
AND SO IF WE ARE THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE THE BIGGEST NEED AROUND SCHOOL AREAS OR IN AREAS WHERE THERE MIGHT BE PARKS OR PUBLIC TRANSIT AROUND PUBLIC TRANSIT, WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE AN INTERNAL RUBRIC WE USE TO PRIORITIZE
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WHICH PROJECTS GET TO THE TOP. I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN WILL PROBABLY MENTION THIS BECAUSE ONE OF THE PROJECTS THE HOUSING TRUST IS WORKING ON IS THE JUDY ATAVIST AND BECAUSE OF THE SCORING THAT MAY NOT GET ADDITIONAL PRIORITY . I JUST THINK WE WOULD BE -- SINCE WE HAVEN'T CREATED THAT RUBRIC, I WILL BE SUPPORTING ALL OF THEM. BUT IN THE FUTURE FOR NEXT YEAR'S I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO HAVE A BETTER PLAN ON WHICH ONES WE'RE SELECTING SO WE'RE NOT JUST LEAVING IT UP TO SOMEONE ELSE. AND SO THAT MAYBE WE EVEN INCLUDE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE PERSON WHOSE DISTRICT IT IS IN SO THAT WE HAVE IN WRITING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT, INCLUDING ANY ZONING THAT MAY OCCUR. SO THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. I DON'T KNOW, PETE, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN CALL UP PETE.PETE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT? >> WE DO HAVE A SCORING MATRIX AND IT'S ADOPTED BY COUNCIL. THAT WAS ADOPTED IN 2021.
WE DID SOME ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES IN 2023 TO ADJUST IT SO IT'S IN LINE WITH THE QUALIFIED ACTION PLAN AND TDHCA. BUT WE CAN LOOK AT MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS AGAIN SINCE IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH YOU AND COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> KAUR: CAN YOU SEND ME THAT RUBRIC? DID WE APPROVE ALL THE ONES WE GOT BASED ON THAT RUBRIC?
>> ABSOLUTELY. ANYTHING THAT SCORED OVER 75 OUT OF 100 ON THAT RUBRIC IS
RECOMMENDED. >> KAUR: DID WE GET ANY THAT DID NOT MAKE 75?
>> WE HAD ONE THAT SCORED A LITTLE BIT BELOW AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED FOR A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS IF THEY KNOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SCORE HIGH ENOUGH FOR AT LEAST THAT RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION, THEY DON'T APPLY.
BUT THE ONE THAT WAS A NO OBJECTION WITHDREW ALREADY. THAT'S COMMON.
>> KAUR: PETE, I WAS GOING TO ASK IF YOU COULD GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR ON WHAT YOU WERE TELLING US ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY?
>> SURE. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR WAS A LARGE 17-WAY TIE.
THESE TAX CREDITS ARE EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE. THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT ONLY THREE PROJECTS IN THIS REGION ARE GOING TO GET AWARDED.
THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD PROJECTS THAT ARE LISTED HERE.
THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, IF THERE'S A SITUATION WHERE THERE'S A TIE LIKE THIS, COUNCIL CAN PROVIDE MORE POLICY DIRECTION ON WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS THEY WANT TO HAVE PRIORITIZED.
WE'RE LOOKING AT MORE HIGH PRIORITIES ON THINGS LIKE TRANSIT, NEAR SCHOOLS.
I KNOW WE HAVE A RUBRIC. HOWEVER, THAT'S A MINIMUM THRESHOLD.
IF YOU JUST MEET THAT 75 SCORE, YOU AUTOMATICALLY GET RECOMMENDED FOR SUPPORT.
NOW, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE NOW THIS GOES TO TIE BREAKERS, BUT THE STATE CONTROLS WHAT THOSE TIE BREAKERS ARE. THEY'RE BASICALLY FEET OR FOOTAGE BETWEEN PARKS AND WHERE THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT IS.
SO IN OUR CASE, THE JUDY AT VIDA, WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PROJECT. HOWEVER, I DIDN'T FEEL THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR US TO DISQUALIFY ALL THE OTHER GREAT PROJECTS THAT ARE COMPETING FOR THIS. WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. THE JUDY AT VIDA -- I KNOW WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT PROJECT BUT THAT ALREADY HAS SUPPORT. THAT ALREADY HAS THE ZONING.
WE ALREADY OWN THE LAND. THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVES TO WHAT WE'RE DOING AND I THINK IF YOU WANT TO SEE THOSE REALLY HIGH-QUALITY PROJECTS, MAYBE MAKE SOME POLICY TWEAKS NEXT YEAR THAT CAN MAKE SURE THOSE PROJECTS DO RISE TO THE TOP.
SO I THINK THAT WAS THE CONVERSATION WE HAD AND I HOPE THAT WAS THE
APPROPRIATE COLOR. >> KAUR: YEAH, THANK YOU, PETE.
JUST, YOU KNOW,I WAS LIKE SHOULD WE CHANGE IT FOR TOMORROW? AND COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN WAS LIKE, NO, LET'S HAVE A PROPER POLICY DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: HAVING SOME TROUBLE WITH YOUR AUDIO. WHY DON'T WE FIX HER TECHNICAL ISSUES. WE'LL GO TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE HAD A CONVERSATION AROUND THE AWARD METHODOLOGY.
AND AS PETE MENTIONED, THERE ARE OVER 18 PROJECTS, ROUGHLY 11 PROJECTS THAT ARE TIED AT 173 POINTS. AND TODAY ON THE AGENDA WE HAVE OVER 11 ITEMS THAT WERE
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SUBMITTING LETTERS OF SUPPORT. WHEN WE HAVE THE CURRENT FORMULA WITH THE RUBRIC, I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE A LARGER DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO CHANGE UP THAT FORMULA AND ENSURING THERE IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SHOULD BE ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES AND HAVE THE LARGEST BUCKET BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE -- I HAVE AS AN EXPECTATION WITH ANY DEVELOPMENT IN MY COMMUNITY, IS THAT THEY ENGAGED WITH COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THEIR ABLE TO HEAR THE COMMUNITY'S IDEAS AND CONCERNS. WITH THE AWARDS LISTED -- PETE WENT OVER THIS.THERE'S THE TWO-MILE RULE. THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT HAVE THE ZONING, SOME DON'T.
SOME HAVE SUPPORT LETTERS AND I THINK ENSURING THERE IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AROUND A PROJECT IS VERY KEY IN EARNING SUPPORT AND I THINK OVERALL, LOOKING AT THE FORMULA -- BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST CREATING MORE COMPETITION WITH OVER 18 PROJECTS WITH THE SAME SCORE SO WE'RE NOT HELPING ANY OF THE LOCAL PROJECTS, IF THEY'RE ALL IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER. AS PETE MENTIONED, TDHCA LIMITS AWARDS UP TO THREE PER REGION AND WE'RE FAR EXCEEDING THAT.
I BELIEVE WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES AT A DISADVANTAGE. GOING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY INPUT, I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S MOTION BECAUSE I THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE BARE MINIMUM OF ANY PROJECT IN OUR COMMUNITY IS THAT THEY
ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN, ARE YOU WITH US? >> VIAGRAN: CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY. GREAT.
THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO THANK DR. KAUR FOR SHARING WHAT WE LEARNED.
PETE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK OUR PRIORITY NEEDS TO BE HOUSING.
IT NEEDS TO BE DEEPER AFFORDABILITY. I THINK UNTIL WE HAVE THAT LARGER POLICY DISCUSSION AND WE ACTUALLY CHANGE THINGS AS A COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, I WILL BE GOING WITH WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. BUT I DO WANT TO APPLAUD COUNCILMAN COURAGE FOR PULLING THE ITEM AND UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THEY DO GET AN AWARD, THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE FOR ZONING BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. BUT I THINK THIS IS US GOING BACK, HAVING A LARGER CONVERSATION, LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS IN MORE THAN JUST THE LETTERS THAT WE GET. BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE TIME AND INVESTMENT VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE JUDY AT VIDA. AND MAKING SURE THAT THE COUNCIL REALLY IS IN SUPPORT WITH ADDITIONAL LETTERS OR WITH CHANGING THE POLICY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR THE POLICY THAT WE CREATED.
HOWEVER, I THINK IT DOES NEED TO BE CHANGED IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT CONVERSATION. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. ERIK, DID YOU WANT TO JUMP
IN? >> WALSH: YEAH, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY.
I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO SAID. I THINK THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY FOR US TO FIGURE OUT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PART OF THIS PROCESS.
AND WE'LL DO THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THAT. AND BRING IT BACK -- OBVIOUSLY I THINK THE COUNCIL IS TALKING ABOUT HAVING A POLICY CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE DO THESE IN THE FUTURE. THERE'S REALLY NO REASON WHY I THINK WE COULD FIGURE OUT HOW NOT TO ADD SOME SORT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ASPECT OF THESE PROJECTS AS THEY GO THROUGH THE HOUSING TRUST. WE'LL WORK WITH PETE AND
ULTIMATELY THE PCDC MEET, AND THEN COUNCIL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK. SO I'M LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION AND HAS THE
ZONING ALREADY BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS PROJECT? >> YES.
THIS PROJECT IS ZONED CORRECTLY. MULTIFAMILY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SO IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A ZONING CHANGE?
>> NO. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND SO REALLY ALL WE'RE DOING, IN TERMS OF OUR HOUSING PRIORITIES IS SIGNALING OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT GETTING -- ACQUIRING THE TAX CREDITS THAT MAKE THESE AFFORDABLE PROJECTS
POSSIBLE. >> YES. IT'S JUST RECOMMENDING THAT THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO TDHCA.
AGAIN, THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT RIGHT NOW SCORE HIGHER THAN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT
SO IT MAY NOT GET AN AWARD. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: BUT AS WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER SCENARIOS, IF THERE'S A PROJECT THAT IS DENIED WITHIN A CERTAIN ZONE, YOU WANT TO HAVE MORE IN THE QUEUE TO BE ABLE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR, YOU KNOW, ACHIEVING THAT KIND OF AFFORDABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN MY MIND, WE WANT TO HAVE AS MANY IN THERE AS POSSIBLE, AWARDEES AS POSSIBLE. I'M HEARING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN TERMS OF THE POLICY CONVERSATION. I FULLY EXPECT ANY SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT TO
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GET COMMUNITY INPUT. BUT TO HAVE THAT AS A QUALIFIER AS TO WHETHER WE GIVE A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THESE QUALIFICATIONS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY GET IT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF WHAT WE INTERPRET TO BE FAIR HOUSING. I AM INCLINED TO BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE COUNCILMAN'S CONCERNS ABOUT COMMUNITY INPUT BUT I ALSO AM CONCERNED ABOUT US RUNNING AFOUL OF OUR OVERALL HOUSING GOALS AS WELL AS THOSE GOALS THAT ARE PART OF NATIONAL POLICY FOR QUITE SOMETIME. SO I'M LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY INDICATION OF WHETHER OR NOT IF THEY RECEIVE -- IF THEY DO NOT RECEIVE THESE TAX CREDITS, WILL THEY STILL PROCEED WITH THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, EVEN IF IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE?
>> WILL IT CHANGE TO A MARKET RATE, POTENTIALLY? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: YEAH.
>> WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER. THEY DON'T HAVE A NONPROFIT PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT AND THE TAX CREDITS WOULD BE COVERING, YOU KNOW, 80% PLUS OF THE COST OF THE DEVELOPMENT. SO IF THEY DON'T RECEIVE THE TAX CREDITS, THEY DEFINITELY WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT AS AN AFFORDABLE PROJECT BUT I COULDN'T ANSWER IF THEY WOULD PROCEED WITH THE MARKET RATE.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: GOTCHA. MY SECOND QUESTION IS PROCEDURAL. THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW IS FOR DENIAL.
THERE'S ONLY TEN OF US HERE AND NORMALLY IT REQUIRES SIX FOR A MOTION TO PASS.
IF IT IS A 5-5 TIE, DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE -- WHAT HAPPENS?
>> SEGOVIA: COUNCILMAN, YOU JUST MADE A VERY GOOD ARGUMENT TO SAY WE SHOULD HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. THAT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT CLEANER.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I REALLY DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT THAT IT'S 5-5. BECAUSE I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROJECT.
>> SEGOVIA: WHAT I'M SAYING, COUNCILMAN, IS I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. I KNOW THE ANSWER IF IT'S A MOTION TO APPROVE.
IT FAILS. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM
13 AS WELL. WHICH ONE IS PRIMARY, ANDY? >> SEGOVIA: IF IT'S OKAY WITH COUNCILMAN COURAGE, I THINK IT'S CLEANER AND IT'S A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF
THE VOTE IF WE SIMPLY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: LET'S DO THAT AND THAT WAY IT'S CLEAR. IF YOU VOTE DOWN THE MOTION, THEN YOU ARE ALSO VOTING DOWN THE RESOLUTION. SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF 13. LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE DISCUSSION, THOUGH.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: I HAVE A QUICK CLARIFYING QUESTION. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE FOR BRINGING THIS UP. I MEAN, I DO THINK THAT COMMUNITY INPUT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I KNOW FOR -- I BELIEVE IT'S ITEM 26 OR 28 IN DISTRICT 7 WE DID HAVE A COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING. AND I THINK THOSE ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. LIKE COUNCILMAN PELAEZ SAID, JUST TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
COUNCILWOMAN KAUR, YOU DID SAY IF WE DON'T SUPPORT ALL OF THEM -- I'M NOT CLEAR ON IF WE WERE TO PULL THIS ONE OUT, HOW THAT WOULD RISK EVERYTHING ELSE.
I DON'T KNOW IF PETE WANTS TO ANSWER. I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF WE WERE TO PULL THIS ONE ITEM, IS THERE A RISK TO THE OTHERS?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS. WE HAVE LISTED THEM AS INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. IF THEY HAD BEEN ALL GROUPED AS ONE, POTENTIALLY, BUT THEY'RE ALL SEPARATE.
IS THAT RIGHT, ANDY? >> GAVITO: AND SO YOU HAVE BEEN APPLYING TO TDHCA TAX
CREDITS -- >> I BELIEVE THE IMPORTANCE OF TODAY IS IF THEY DON'T RECEIVE OUR RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT, THEY WOULD NOT BE AT ALL COMPETITIVE TO APPLY
TO TDHCA. YEAH. >> GAVITO: OKAY.
THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO.
COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: I'VE GOT THREE REQUIREMENTS FOR THROWING MY SUPPORT BEHIND ANY PROJECT. ONE, IT'S GOT TO BE IN THE RIGHT LOCATION.
IT'S GOT TO SERVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, NUMBER TWO. AND, NUMBER THREE, THE DEVELOPER AND THE OPERATOR HAVE TO BE GOOD PEOPLE. I HAVE SAT DOWN -- AND OFTEN I HAVE HAD CASES WHERE, YOU KNOW, TWO OUT OF THE THREE BOXES ARE CHECKED.
BUT IF ALL THREE AREN'T CHECKED IN MY MIND, THEY DON'T GET MY SUPPORT.
I THINK WE SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC, NOT JUST SPEAKING TO THE STATE OF TEXAS REGARDING TAX CREDITS. WE SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPERATOR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM WE DO BUSINESS BY WAY OF SUPPORTING THEIR PROJECTS. IN THIS INSTANCE, I DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T SUPPORT THIS BASIC CONCEPT OF BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
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I ALSO, YOU KNOW -- AND WE'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN. OUR FRIENDS IN THE MEDIA LIKE TO SAY IF YOU TURN DOWN ONE OF THESE THEN YOU TURN DOWN, YOU KNOW -- THEN YOU DON'T LIKE POOR PEOPLE OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND THEY'RE FULL OF IT WHEN THEY DO THAT. BUT I HAVE A -- BUT IN THIS INSTANCE IT'S LESS ABOUT FOR ME SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MORE ABOUT JUST SUPPORTING THIS CONCEPT OF BEING AN HONEST, GOOD BROKER. AND IT'S SUCH A LOW BAR TO SET, WHICH IS PLEASE ENGAGE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS. SO I HAVE -- I ALSO WANT TO KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 78 UNITS HERE? I'M ASKING THAT BECAUSE I KNOW THE ANSWER. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 78 UNITS HERE.TO THE EXTENT, HOW MANY UNITS TOTAL FOR ALL 14, IF YOU ADD THEM ALL UP?
>> FOR ALL 14 RESOLUTIONS? WE WILL TALLY THAT QUICKLY. IT WOULD BE, SINCE THESE ARE
ALL ABOUT 100, IT WOULD BE EASY OVER 1,000. >> PELAEZ: RIGHT.
SO I DON'T THINK WE'RE BEING PRESENTED WITH A BINARY CHOICE HERE, WHICH IS IF YOU DON'T APPROVE ALL OF THEM THEN YOU DON'T APPROVE -- THEN YOU DON'T LOVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I THINK THAT IF WE APPROVE ALL OF THEM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THIS ONE PROJECT, I THINK THAT WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO OUR SPEAKING TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS.
WE'RE NOT JUST SPEAKING TO THE PUBLIC, WE'RE ALSO SPEAKING TO ANY OTHER DEVELOPER WHO COMES IN THE FUTURE TO ASK US FOR THE CITY COUNCIL'S APPROVAL.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S DEVELOPERS AND THERE'S LOBBYISTS LISTENING TO THIS CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW WHO ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO THEIR CLIENTS AND SAY, HEY, GUESS WHAT. CITY COUNCIL JUST CLEARLY SPOKE THAT IF YOU JUST DON'T MEET WITH NEIGHBORS AND ENGAGE WITH THEM IN GOOD FAITH, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THEIR APPROVAL. AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, IF WE APPROVE ALL OF THEM, ALL WE'RE DOING IS REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR. NOW, I'LL REMIND EVERYBODY THERE'S 250,000 APARTMENTS IN SAN ANTONIO. AND THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY ARE OPERATED BY GOOD PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR TENANTS.
AND THEN THERE ARE OUTLIERS. AND THE ONE WAY FOR ME TO DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE GOING TO BE A GOOD OPERATOR OR NOT IS NOT MEETING WITH MY NEIGHBORS.
AND I JUST HAVE A BAD FEELING THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO GIVE THE STAMP OF APPROVAL TO A FUTURE OUTLIER. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE MY VOTE TO A FUTURE OUTLIER BUT I DO WANT TO GIVE A VOTE TO THE REST OF THE 12 OR 13 OR ON THERE.
ANYWAY, YOU'RE PICKING UP WHAT I'M LAYING DOWN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH, I'M GOING TO ECHO SOME OF COUNCILMAN PELAEZ'S COMMENTS BECAUSE I THINK THEY WERE SPOT ON. AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ALL FOUR CORNERS OF OUR CITY. BUT THAT CANNOT BE DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY LIVE THERE.
AND I THINK WE'RE SETTING A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT HERE IF FROM WHAT I'M HEARING THERE'S BEEN NEIGHBORHOOD PUSHBACK. THERE'S BEEN CONCERNS ON SOME OF THIS. AND THIS DEVELOPER HAS SAID WE'RE GOING TO CHOOSE NOT TO GO AND HAVE THE COMMUNITY INPUT AND HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS THE CONCERNS. THAT SETS A VERY, VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.
ONE THAT I DO NOT THINK WE WANT HERE IN OUR CITY. TO BE REALLY, REALLY CLEAR, SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SUPPORT ALL INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE DOING IN THAT REGARD.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERY PROJECT IS RIGHT FOR EVERY PARTICULAR SITE AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD ON ONE OF THESE IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS THAT ARE THERE IN THE AREA.
AND SO I THANK THE COUNCILMAN FOR RAISING THIS POINT AND I'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF HIS POSITION ON THIS. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T THINK THIS WOULD BE AS BIG AN ISSUE AS IT IS TODAY. BECAUSE I THINK ALMOST EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER, SINCE THEY'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL, HAS HAD PROJECTS COME BEFORE THEM WHERE DEVELOPERS HAVE MET WITH THEM AND SAID THIS IS WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO.
AND I WOULD IMAGINE EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE SAID I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY.
SO WILL YOU HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING? WILL YOU EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT YOU WANT TO DO? BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINKS.
I HAVE DONE THIS MANY, MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.
I'VE GOT ABOUT SIX AFFORDABLE PROJECTS IN DISTRICT 9 SINCE I'VE BEEN
[01:00:05]
ON THE COUNCIL EIGHT YEARS. THERE WERE NONE BEFORE THAT. BUT NOT EVERY PROJECT THAT'S COME TO ME OR THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED IN MY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ONE WHERE THERE'S EITHER TOTAL SUPPORT OR TOTAL OPPOSITION. THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT IF IT'S DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY THEN THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE LIVING NEXT TO THIS PROPERTY HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND CAN HAVE SOME INPUT AND CAN MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS AND CAN HELP THE DEVELOPER KNOW IF YOU DO THIS, I'M SATISFIED WITH THAT. BUT WITHOUT THAT KIND OF BACK AND FORTH INTERCHANGE, THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING.AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND ALSO THIS DEVELOPER DID NOT COME AND SIT DOWN WITH MY OFFICE WITH ME AND TELL ME EVERYTHING. HOW MANY OF THOSE PROJECTS HAVE YOU BEEN SUPPORTING WHERE YOU HAVEN'T MET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEVELOPER TO TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? I'M NOT TRYING TO LAY BLAME ON THE DEVELOPER, BECAUSE WHAT I'VE HEARD ALSO IS THAT THEY FELT LIKE THEY SCORED SO LOW THAT THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GO FORWARD ANYWAY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PROJECTS THAT SCORED SO MUCH HIGHER. THE BIGGEST CONCERN I HAVE IS THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
AND I'LL SAY THIS TOO. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID WE DON'T WANT THIS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT I'VE PUSHED TO PUT IT IN ANYWAY WHEN I KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS WARRANTED. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE PROS AND CONS. IT'S TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A REASONABLE SETTLEMENT THAT EVERYBODY CAN LIVE WITH. BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT HAVING A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ABOUT IT. SO THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THIS UP. I HOPE THE COUNCIL CONTINUES TO THINK ABOUT THAT ASPECT OF THESE PROJECTS. EVEN IF THEY'RE JUST RIGHT NOW A SUGGESTION ON PAPER THAT THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST HAS LOOKED AT AND SAID THAT SOUNDS GOOD, IT'S THE COMMUNITY THAT ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION.
SO I'D LIKE TO ASK ANDY, BECAUSE I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT I PUT FORWARD, BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER MOTION THAT WAS MADE.
WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY THAT'S A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR WHAT I HAD?
>> SEGOVIA: YES, COUNCILMAN. THAT WOULD BE A SUBSTITUTE
MOTION. >> COURAGE: THEN I THINK I'VE HAD ALL I'VE HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT AND WE'LL JUST PROCEED WITH THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, I GUESS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO THIS IS WHY I THINK WE SHOULD VOTE TO MOVE IT FORWARD AND THEN HAVE POLICY DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS.
BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT I'VE HEARD TODAY IS VERY PROBLEMATIC.
I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE SAYING, YEAH, WE LOVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. OR NOT IN MY DISTRICT. THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING.
AND YOU ALL CAN SAY THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT, BUT WE SET FORWARD A HOUSING GOAL WITH THE BOND PROJECT. WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRIORITIZE THIS AND NOW WHAT I'M HEARING IS, OH, WAIT, THEY DIDN'T GO TO THE COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE THE ZONING. THIS IS TARGETING ONE DEVELOPER.
AND I'M SORRY I CAN'T SEE WHO IT IS. VERONICA, LATER YOU CAN TELL ME AND NAME THAT DEVELOPER, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. BUT I THINK I AGREE WITH THE MAYOR. WE MOVE THIS FORWARD. WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
IF IT'S SENIOR LIVING, THERE'S A LOT OF SENIOR LIVING.
BUT WE HAVE ALREADY LEFT $20 MILLION ON THE TABLE ON ANOTHER PROJECT THIS YEAR.
I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE THAT WE PUT IN, WE PAY TAXES AND ALL WE'RE SAYING IS WE WANT THIS MONEY BACK TO PROVIDE HOUSING.
AND I AM GOING TO BRING IT UP AGAIN. THERE IS A RED LINE AND I FEEL LIKE THE NORTHERN SECTOR WOULD RATHER HAVE A BUS LINE GOING FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH THAN PROVIDE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT'S NEEDED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN. SO, AGAIN, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A POLICY CONVERSATION. I THINK WE NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THIS, ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SAYING BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT I HEARD TODAY WAS -- IT WAS NOT NICE.
ANDY -- VERONICA, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHO THE DEVELOPER IS?
[01:05:03]
ANDY, CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY WHAT I NEED TO VOTE TO SUPPORT ALL THE RESOLUTIONSMOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> WE HAVEN'T DONE A PROJECT WITH THEM YET. SO I DON'T THINK THEY'RE
LOCAL TO SAN ANTONIO. >> SEGOVIA: COUNCILWOMAN, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IF YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION, GIVEN THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, WHICH IS NOW A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION, IF YOU'RE IN SUPPORT, YOU VOTE YES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR US TO SUBMIT THESE?
>> IT IS THIS MONTH. 28TH OF FEBRUARY. >> KAUR: DO WE HAVE NOTICE
THAT THERE WAS PUSHBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY? >> WE DO NOT.
WE HAVE NOT HEARD A PHONE CALL, AN E-MAIL, NO INFORMATION FROM THE
COMMUNITY. >> KAUR: AND THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS JUST UNDERSTANDING THE RUBRIC A LITTLE BIT MORE. SO DO YOU HAVE, BY ANY CHANCE, THE LIST OF ALL THE PROJECTS THAT SCORED 173 AND KIND OF WHAT THEY'RE --
>> YES. IT IS IN OUR PRESENTATION. WE CAN GO TO SLIDE 9.
IT HAS THE TOTAL PROJECTS AND HOW THEY SCORED. WELL, SINCE THEY'RE ALL SEPARATE COUNCIL ITEMS -- BUT THE PRESENTATION HAS THE TOTAL.
>> KAUR: YOU DON'T HAVE THE PRESENTATION? >> I THINK THEY'RE LOADING
IT. >> KAUR: IT'S FOR ITEM 13? THE REASON WHY I WAS ASKING IS BECAUSE I'M LOOKING AT ALL 17 PROJECTS AND SO RIGHT NOW THIS ONE IS JUST THE SAME AT 173. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE STATE PROCESS WORKS. SO WITH OUR LETTERS OF SUPPORT, EACH ONE GETS AN ADDITIONAL THREE POINTS. AND THEN HOW DOES THE STATE DECIDE AFTER THAT? THEY JUST GO DOWN? SO EACH ONE WILL BE AT 176 AFTER THAT AND THEN THEY --
NO? >> I'M GOING TO HAVE MY STAFF MEMBER TALK ABOUT THE
TDHCA SCORING. >> KAUR: THANKS. >> HI.
ALLISON BEAVER. SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT'S 17 POINTS AND THAT'S INCLUDED TO GET TO THE 173 THAT THEY'RE REFLECTING AT TDHCA ALREADY.
>> KAUR: SO THAT'S ALL OF THESE ALREADY HAVE OUR LETTER OF SUPPORT?
>> WHEN THEY SUBMIT THEIR PRE-APPLICATION THEY'RE ASSUMING THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE RESOLUTION SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE WHERE THEY'RE LAYING.
>> KAUR: FASCINATING. AND BASED ON WHAT THE RANKING IS RIGHT NOW, SO AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT, THE FIRST ONE, WHICH IS HERITAGE ESTATES, WILL MAKE IT THROUGH AND THEN THEY'LL GO THROUGH ALL THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WOULD NEGLECT ANY
OF THE NEXT ONE TO GET TO THE NEXT PROJECT. >> IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT BUT, YES, THEY'LL LOOK AT THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE TOP THREE MOST LIKELY PROJECTS TO SUCCEED. AND THEN DO THAT UNDERWRITING PROCESS. AND IF THAT'S SUCCESSFUL, THAT PROJECT WOULD RECOMMEND FOR AWARD. IF NOT, IT WOULD GO TO THE NEXT ONE IN THE LIST.
>> KAUR: FOR REGION 9, ARE THEY ALL SAN ANTONIO BASED? >> NO, MA'AM.
THERE IS ONE THAT IS IN CONVERSE. >> KAUR: DID THAT SCORE
173 TOO? >> YES. >> KAUR: IF WE GIVE THEM THREE WOULD THEY TAKE THOSE THREE OR WOULD WE RUN THE RISK OF NOT GETTING ALL
THREE FOR REGION 9? >> THEY WOULD POTENTIALLY GET AN AWARD, YES.
>> KAUR: SO WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS THE NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS THAT WE SHOULD
PROVIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THREE GO TO SAN ANTONIO? >> I WOULD DO STAFF RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS AWARD THE RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT.
>> KAUR: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT A COMMUNITY MEETING IS THE FLOOR OF EXPECTATIONS AND IF I'M LEARNING, ESPECIALLY THAT THE DEVELOPER DID NOT REACH OUT TO THE DISTRICT 9 OFFICE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION, THAT'S CONCERNING. I THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF IF IT WERE 100% MARKET-RATE PROJECT IN MY DISTRICT WITHOUT ENGAGING COMMUNITY, WOULD THAT BE ACCEPTABLE? THAT WOULD NOT FLY. JUST BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING I AM SUPPORTIVE OF, IN PRACTICE, I DON'T THINK THAT SHOULD EXCLUDE AND/OR EVADE THE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS TRULY ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING TO OUR STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION
[01:10:02]
PLANS, WE FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT TO PUBLIC HOUSING.WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THE CITY DO IS A BACK PEDAL ON PRIORITIZING PUBLIC HOUSING SO I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO ARE TIRED OF PLATITUDES AND SMOKE AND MIRRORS. WHEN IT COMES TO PRACTICE, DEVELOPING, AND PRESERVING THE HOUSING THAT MATTERS MOST, THIS BODY CONTINUES TO TURN A BLIND EYE.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THERE'S PLENTY OF MORE WORK TO DO BUT WE KEEP LEAVING BEHIND THE HOUSING STOCK THAT MATTERS MOST AND TO HIDE BEHIND THIS ONE APPLICATION AS THE FEW FOLKS THAT ARE CHALLENGING IT, NOT SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS JUST DISHONEST WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRACTICE AND THE LACK OF PRIORITIZATION OF PROTECTING OUR PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE COUNCILMAN. IF IT WERE IN MY COMMUNITY, THAT WOULD BE A NO-GO FOR
NOT ENGAGING WITH MYSELF, MY STAFF, OR THE COMMUNITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I HEAR FROM CITY STAFF THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION ON RECORD.
I HEARD FROM THE COUNCILMAN THAT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE WITH YOUR OFFICE BUT YOU DID JUST SAY A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT YOU HEARD FROM THE DEVELOPER THAT THEY LIKELY
WOULDN'T RECEIVE THE FUNDING ANYWAY. >> COURAGE:
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOU TO
TELL YOU THAT. >> GUESS THAT ANSWERS THAT PART. AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF COUNCILMAN WHYTE HEARD SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN I DID BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU HEARD THERE WAS COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT. YOU HEARD THERE WAS
COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT? >>
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I GUESS HOW DID THAT PLAY OUT, THE COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT? WAS THAT RECENT AS OF THE ITEM POSTING OR WAS IT PRIOR
TO THAT? >> WANTED TO BE SURE BECAUSE IT WAS A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS. AND THEN I GUESS BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEEK, THE 20TH, IT WOULD BE A LITTLE ROUGH TO TRY TO PUT TOGETHER A COMMUNITY MEETING. I MEAN, I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE THE ITEM IF IT IS GOING TO BE WORTH SOMETHING BUT IF IT'S JUST GOING TO BE ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA
WITH NO -- >> HAVE NOT, I GUESS FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROCESS, I DON'T KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE DEVELOPERS REACHED OUT TO EVERY SINGLE COUNCILPERSON THAT'S IMPACTED. I'M CONCERNED THAT OF ALL OF THE PROJECTS, THEY ARE VERY WEST SIDE, SOUTH SIDE HEAVY. THERE'S ONE OR TWO PROJECTS ON THE NORTH SIDE AND WE KNOW THAT WE DO NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THERE. AND IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTINUE THE ITEM. I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THAT THE DEVELOPER DO A COMMUNITY MEETING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND BEGIN OUTREACH TODAY. SPUR OF THE MOMENT, I MOVE TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO NEXT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH. IF I CAN'T DO IT, THEN SOMEONE ELSE CAN MAKE THE
MOTION. >> SEGOVIA: YES, COUNCILMAN, THAT'S ALLOWED TO HAVE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE ITEM FOR A DATE CERTAIN OF THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING,
WHICH IS FEBRUARY 20TH. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR CONTINUANCE OF ITEM NO. 13 TO FEBRUARY 27TH? 28? 20TH. 2-0. GOT IT.
MOTION CONTINUED TO FEBRUARY 20. SO WE'LL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? WE WILL HAVE THE VOTE ON A DELAY FIRST. VERONICA, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IN THE ABSENCE OF MORE INFORMATION THERE'S A LOT OF ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY AND PEOPLE'S RESPONSE TO IT.
WE HAVE 13 RESOLUTIONS BEFORE US TODAY? >> YES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU MENTIONED THAT IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THERE NOT TO BE
A PUBLIC HEARING PRIOR TO THE RESOLUTIONS. >> YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE
TWO OR THREE OTHER ONES THAT DID NOT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHICH
ONES ARE THOSE? >> WE'LL GET THAT FOR YOU RIGHT AWAY.
>> MAYOR, WE JUST GOT AN E-MAIL FROM THE DEVELOPER STATING THEY ARE WITHDRAWING THIS PROJECT. THEY ARE NOT PROCEEDING FORWARD.
THEY DID SHARE THAT WITH COUNCILMAN COURAGE APPARENTLY THIS MORNING BUT
IT DID NOT GET TO STAFF. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: CAN YOU PUT THAT LETTER ON THE
SCREEN SO WE CAN ALL SEE IT AND IT CAN BE IN THE RECORD. >> VILL
>> HOUSTON: IT WAS AN E-MAIL. IT WAS A TEXT?
[01:15:02]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: LET ME FINISH MY THOUGHT, VERONICA. I HAVE ASKED MY STAFF IF THERE'S ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT ITEM 13 IN TERMS OF THE WAY IT'S COME FORWARD, THE APPLICATION, ALL THAT. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD NO. IT'S PRETTY STANDARD PROCESS. IT'S ALSO PRETTY STANDARD THAT THESE RESOLUTIONS ARE SOUGHT AND APPROVED WITHOUT ANY FORMAL PUBLIC HEARING. IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THERE HASN'T BEEN FEEDBACK OR COMMUNICATION, JUST NO PUBLIC HEARING.
WHICH WE CANNOT REQUIRE BY LAW. >> GO AHEAD.
>> SEGOVIA: AS ERIK SAID, MAYOR, THERE IS SOME -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
THERE'S AN EXPECTATION. >> SEGOVIA: WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT BAKES IN PUBLIC INPUT INTO THE PROCESS WITHOUT VIOLATING THE LAW.
WE CAN DO THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: BUT WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET?
>> IT'S NOT IN THE CURRENT POLICY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAT'S A POLICY DISCUSSION WE NEED TO HAVE. BUT I GUESS MY POINT IS MY POINS CAN'T BE THE ONLY REASON WE ARE DENYING A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT, WHICH IS NOT DENYING A PROJECT, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD THROUGH RESOLUTIONS THAT HAVE THE SAME LACK OF FORMAL HEARING, AND IN FACT WE ARE APPROVING OTHERS THAT HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARING TODAY. SO, YOU KNOW, TO ME WHAT I DON'T -- I GUESS WHAT'S NOT COMPUTING IN MY MIND IS THERE IS A NEED FOR THESE KINDS OF PROJECTS, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS DON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF AFFORDABLE UNITS AND THIS MEETS ALL THOSE QUALIFICATIONS.
I WANT US TO EVALUATE HOW MUCH OF THIS ADDITIONAL RUBRIC IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED FOR ALL OF OUR PROJECTS OR -- AND HOW WE HANDLE THESE IN THE FUTURE.
I WOULD PREFER TO MOVE FORWARD, SOUNDS LIKE THE DEVELOPER HAS PULLED OUT SO IT'S A MOOT POINT, BUT I GUESS WE'LL MOVE FORWARD. AT THIS POINT ALL THE
MOTIONS ARE MOOT BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER HAS WITHDRAWN IT? >> IF IT'S CONTINUED AND THEY CHOOSE TO WITHDRAW IT AFTER THAT, IT JUST WON'T BE ON NEXT WEEK.
>> SEGOVIA: THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: LET'S VOTE ON THE CONTINUANCE, IF IN FACT THAT WAS WITHDRAWN FORMALLY BY THE DEVELOPER, IT WILL JUST DISAPPEAR. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR CONTINUANCE OF ITEM 13 TO FEBRUARY 20TH. PLEASE VOTE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: AYE. YES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: PHOG CARRIES. ITEM 13 WILL COME BACK MAYBE ON FEBRUARY 20TH.
>> COURAGE: I HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. I WAS LOOKING OVER THE DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM WHICH I ASSUME IS PRETTY SIMILAR TO OTHER ITEMS AND WITHIN THE RESOLUTION THERE WERE SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS OF WHEREAS, WHEREAS.
IN ONE OF THOSE PARAGRAPHS IT SAYS THE CITY HELD A PUBLIC HEARING AND, YOU KNOW, I DID NOT HEAR THE CITY HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING. AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS IN ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THESE. NOW, AM I TO UNDERSTAND WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO VOTE THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING AS OUTLINED IN THOSE
RESOLUTIONS? >> SEGOVIA: THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILMAN.
WHEN WE REFER TO A PUBLIC HEARING, ALL THE PUBLIC IS FREE TO COMMENT ON WHAT'S
BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE ANSWER IS YES. >> COURAGE: I JUST WANTED
TO CLARIFY THAT. >> IT ALSO WENT TO PCDC A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, VERONICA, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT -- I AM INTERESTED THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT DID NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING.
ITEM NUMBER 8. NURSE. >> CLERK: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING CONTRACTS FOR SPAY-NEUTER VET FATHER SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $114,000, DRAGON FLY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $114,000, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $76,000. DR. HOSAILLA IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,000, DR. CONNIE SMITH, DVM, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,000, AND DR. ELIZABETH HARRISON FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $389,500 FOR TERMS TO BEGIN UPON
[01:20:01]
EXECUTION THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. FUNDING FROM THE GENERALFUND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IAGO -- I KNEW A COUPLE OF US WANTED TO SHARE THIS ITEM. WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP, BOTH IS EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE HALF AGO ARE HOPEFULLY GOING TO BE OPEN THIS SUMMER. ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WAS NOBODY RESPONDED TO THAT RFP FOR ACTUALLY RUNNING THE CENTER.
WHEN WE ASKED WHY TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS THAT CAME TO THAT MEETING, THEY SAID WE HAVE A HUGE VET SHORTAGE AND PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE HIGH VOLUME SPAY-NEUTER ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I THINK THIS IS AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM. THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY CONTRACTING OUT VETS.
IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE WAY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BUT WE NEED A SOLUTION TO EXECUTE ON THIS. VERSUS VETS CAN USE TO WORK ONE DAY A WEEK OR -- WHAT CAN WE DO AS A CITY WHETHER THAT'S TUITION REIMBURSEMENT OR DIFFERENT INCENTIVES OR JUST CHANGING THE SCHEDULE TO TRY TO GET SOMEBODY W-2 VERSUS CONTRACT BASIS.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING IF WE WANT TO ADDRESS OUR PROBLEM WE HAVE TO GET AHELD OF THIS. THANK YOU TO THE FENCING PILOT WE ARE STARTING WITH THE DISTRICT. WE'RE GOING TO BE IN DELLVIEW IN A COUPLE WEEKS GIVING OUT BASICALLY IT'S CALLED TAMP DOWN FENCING FOR CHAIN-LINK FENCING THAT HAS GAPS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THERE WAS A DOCTOR ON OUR STAFF THAT -- WHO WAS THAT? CAN WE GIVE KUDOS TO PERSON
WHO RECRUITED THESE VETS? >> YES, IT WAS OUR CHIEF VETERINARIAN, DR. GOTBETTER.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU TO THEM FOR MAKING SURE WE WERE ABLE TO GET A SOLUTION, BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. CONTINUING ON, ITEM 8,
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL THIS PROJECT IS FINALLY COMING TO LIFE. I KNOW THE WEST SIDE SPAY-NEUTER CLINIC WAS A REQUEST MADE IN FALL OF 2023 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
MY TEAM AND I PROPOSED -- I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AND COUNCILMEMBER KAUR FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
LITTLE ACCESSIBLE FOR RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT OUT OF THE INNER WEST SIDE WHERE THE NEED IS HIGH. I KNOW RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OVER THE LONG TIME LINE BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND THAT IS TO SPAY AND NEUTER THEIR DOGS. WE NEEDED TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.
AND SO I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH AC S AND I'M CONSTANTLY PUSHING WHERE ARE WE ON THIS AND I'M GLAD YOU WON'T HAVE TO FACE THOSE QUESTIONS ANYMORE AND THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. THIS IS A RESULT OF TRUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THREE COUNCIL WOMEN ADVOCATING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME IN PUSHING FOR THIS WEST SIDE CLINIC. THANK YOU TO DAVID MCCARY AND JONATHAN GARY AND ACS FOR MOVING THIS ALONG. I DO KNOW WE'RE ALSO FACING A NATIONAL VET SHORTAGE SO LIKE COUNCILWOMAN KAUR STATED I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THINKING ABOUT THIS DIFFERENTLY SO WE CAN GET THE VETS IN THERE AND GET ALL THESE ANIMALS FIXED AND GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AT THE OPENING. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE
GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I WANT TO THANK JOHN GARY AND ACS BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE AND ALL THEIR ADVOCACY WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND THE COLLABORATION THAT TOOK PLACE TO ENSURE THE WEST SIDE DESERVES 2 CARE THEY DESERVE IN ACCESS TO SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES. THIS IS SOMETHING DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTS HAVE LONG CALLED FOR AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WE'VE HELPED MATERIALIZE THAT PROJECT.
I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR STAFF TO MOVING THINGS ALONG AND FOR COMMUNITY TO ACCESS SERVICES. ENSURING COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH, SO WE'RE JUST GRATEFUL THESE RESOURCES WILL BE ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE AT A FORM RATE.
[01:25:04]
TO NOT JUST WEST SIDE SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS BUT FOR FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHO ARE IN NEED OF THESE SERVICES. WE'VE BEEN LONG WAITING AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE TEAM WORK AND COLLABORATION IT'S TAKEN AND LOOKING FORWARD TOMARCH. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS AN ITEM I WAS ALSO EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR OUR CITY, FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND FOR THE ANIMALS THAT CALL SAN ANTONIO HOME.
I'M PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRACT SECURED WITH LOCAL VETERINARIANS TO STAFF THE EAST AND WEST SIDE SPAY AND NEUTER HUBS, INVESTMENTS THAT WILL HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS. COUNCILWOMAN ALSO MENTIONED THE JOINT CALLING FOR CREATION OF TWO NEW HUBS IN AREAS THAT NEED IT MOST IN THE CITY.
SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER EVEN ACROSS DISTRICTS SO I HOPE IT'S NOT FORGOTTEN THE ONLY REASON AN EAST SIDE LOCATION COULD HAPPEN WAS IF THE WEST SIGHT COUNCILMEMBERS SUPPORTED IT. FOR TOO LONG ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE VETERINARY CARE HAS BEEN OUT OF REACH FOR MANY FAMILIES.
THAT IT IS LED TO OVERCROWDED SHELTERS, STRAY POPULATIONS OUT OF CONTROL AND PET OWNERS WHO SIMPLY WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR ANIMALS.
THESE HUBS ARE GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER AND BY PROVIDING CONSISTENT, ACCESSIBLE AND HIGH-QUALITY VETERINARY CARE, WE'RE GOING TO COME "-GOING TO BE TACKLING ENSURING EVERY PET HAS A CHANCE OF A HEALTHY STABLING LIFE.
IT IS AN ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUE, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE AND REFLECTION OF VALUES AS A CITY. FEWER STRAY ANIMALS MEANS SAFER STREETS AND FEWER FAMILIES FORCED TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT THEIR PETS.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE'RE PROVING REAL INTRODUCES COME FROM REAL INVESTMENT IN THE THINGS THAT MAST. I WANT TO THANK THE DEDICATED VETERINARIANS STEPPING UP TO SERVE IN THESE HUBS, THE ADVOCATES THAT FOUGHT FOR THIS AND EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES SAN ANTONIO CAN BE A CITY WHERE EVERY PET IS CARED FOR AND EVERY FAMILY HAS ACCESS TO RESOURCES THEY NEED. THIS IS A HUGE WIN FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, CITY, AND WIN FOR ANIMALS WHO BRING SO MUCH JOY IN OUR LIVES.
LET'S KEEP WORKING TOGETHER. THANK YOU AGAIN AND WELCOME. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON OR DISCUSSION ON ITEM 8? I NEGLECTED TO GET A MOTION.
>> APPROVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAT WAS DISTRICT 2.
JUST UNDER THE TAPE. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 8. WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN, IF YOU ARE WITH US -- SHE'S NOT.
OKAY. >> VIAGRAN: YES. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY.
MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 28. >> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 28, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SAN ANTONIO RISING STARS, INC., FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT UP TO $250,000 TO SUPPORT THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM.
THE TERM IS FOR ONE YEAR TO BEGIN UPON EXECUTION, WITH ONE-YEAR REMOVAL OPTION.
FUNDING IS FROM THE CONFISCATED PROPERTY FUND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM 28.
>> SO MOVED. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION.
AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 28. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE
GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITIES THIS FUNDING WILL PROVIDE TO SA RISING STARS. I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. I NOTICE THE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM THE CONFISCATED PROPERTY FUND. ACCORDING TO CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES, ARTICLE 59, THIS MONEY IS DEDICATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIME PREVENTION ONLY. I WANT TO ENSURE WE ARE COMPLIANT AND THIS FUNDING IS -- AND THIS FUNDING IS USED STRICTLY AS INTENDED. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU PLAN TO ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS AND WHAT INITIATIVES THEY WILL SUPPORT?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I APOLOGIZE, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER.
[01:30:03]
IF YOU CAN LET ME PAUSE YOUR TIME AND CALL UP CHARLES AND THEN WE'LL GET BACK TO YOURQUESTION. >> GOOD MORNING. HOW EVERYBODY DOING? COUNCIL, MAYOR, MR. WALSH. I'M HERE TO REPRESENT SAN ANTONIO RISING STARS AND CRIME PREVENTION. I'VE BEEN FOR THREE YEARS NOW.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED.
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES. WE STARTED THAT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO GET THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR THEY COULD SWITCH ROLES SO WE COULD GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR COMMUNITY, FOR THE POLICE TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR COMMUNITY AND VICE VERSA FOR THE POLICE TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO DID A TEEN SUMMIT WHICH IS CONSISTS OF BRINGING IBM INTO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS CREATED BECAUSE WE OF KIDS DROPPING OUT, GOING TO THE STREETS AND CRIME AREAS.
AND THEN IT WAS A PLEASURE TO DO THE MARTIN LUTHER KING WITH MR. ROBINSON.
WE CREATED A YOUTH ZONE FOR THE KIDS AT THE MARCH AND THEN WE MEET EVERY FRIDAY AT THE YMCA, WE MEET WITH TEENAGERS CALLED BOYS TO MEN.
WE'RE EDUCATING THEM, GIVING THEM A RIGHT TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR WHEN THEY ARE OUT IN THE STREETS. BECAUSE LIFE IS A TICKING MOMENT.
YOU MAKE THE WRONG DECISION, IT'S GOING TO COST YOUR LIFE.
OUR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IS DESIGNED TO TEACH KIDS ETIQUETTE, YOU BELONG.
YOU CAN WALK IN ANY ROOM AND DO ANYTHING THAT YOUR HEART DESIRES.
YOU KNOW, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEACH THEM THE ETIQUETTE PART OF EVERYTHING BECAUSE EVEN I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO NONE OF THESE THINGS. AND THEN WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY BASKETBALL. THE COMMUNITY BASKETBALL IS -- IT WAS ONCE THE MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL LEAGUE BUT WE HAD TO CHANGE THE NAME BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE HAD OWNED THE RIGHTS TO IT. WE'VE BEEN DOING A COMMUNITY BASKETBALL LEAGUE FOR THREE YEARS. IN THAT THREE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT, WE WAS ABLE TO TAKE KIDS TO NEW YORK, YOUNG MEN TO NEW YORK AND KEEP THE KIDS OFF THE STREETS AND IT ALLOWED THEM OPPORTUNITY TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.
AND THEN IN THE PROCESS WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS THEY HAVE TO DO PROGRAMMING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMMING IN PLACE FOR A LOT OF THESE KIDS THAT'S LESS FORTUNATE AND AT HIGH RISK. AND IN CLOSING -- OH, WE ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM CALLED MOTHERS TIRED OF LOSING KIDS THROUGH MURDERS, GETTING LOCKED UP, DRUGS.
WE BRING THE MOTHERS THAT HAVE LOST HOPE TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT BACK AND GIVE THEM A VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF ANYBODY HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS, I'M OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL GET BACK TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, CHARLES, FOR WALKING US THROUGH ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOU DO. I REALLY JUST HAD A QUESTION FOR YOU ALL ON HOW WE PLAN TO ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS AND WHAT SPECIFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES IT
WILL SUPPORT. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNCILWOMAN.
RICK RILEY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LET ME FIRST ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE.
IN FACT, IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR I PRESENTED TO THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE FOLLOWING AN AUDIT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 59 AND THE CONTRACTSON ITSELF. SOME OF THE THINGS THEY DO, THE ICE PROGRAM, GETTING KIDS OUT OF GANG VIOLENCE, ALL OF THOSE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES WHICH UNDER CHAPTER 59 IS PERMITTED TO SPEND CONFISCATED FUNDS ON.
>> GAVITO: SOUNDS GOOD, AS LONG AS WE'RE MAKING SURE THESE FUNDS ARE GOING TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT-RELATED ACTIVITIES. >> YES, MA'AM.
AND I'LL JUST ADD WHEN MR. SATTER WAIT HAS AN EVENT, HE COMES TO US FIRST AND SAYS HERE'S AN IDEA FOR AN EVENT. WE CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CITY ATTORNEY SAYS YES, THAT'S GOOD TO GO, WE'LL APPROVE AND HE WILL PUT THAT EVENT ON. FOLLOWING THE EVENT WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WAS TAUGHT OR WHO ATTENDED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS WITHIN
KNOWS GUIDELINES. >> GAVITO: AWESOME. SOUNDS GOOD.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. THANK YOU FOR WALKING ME THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND HOW
THAT LOOKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
[01:35:02]
I WAS ALSO GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM, BUT I'M GLAD THAT IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A BIT MORE OF A SPOTLIGHT AS IT'S SURELY SOMETHING TO BE RECOGNIZED AND MODEL TO BE REPLICATED. CONGRATULATIONS, CHARLES AND EVERYONE WHO HAS PLAYED A ROLE. FOR YEARS THIS HAS BEEN A GUIDING LIGHT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE OPPORTUNITY GIVING THEM SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD BRIGHT FUTURES. TODAY WITH THIS $250,000 GRANT, THAT WORK WILL CONTINUE TO GROW REACHING MORE PEOPLE WHO DESERVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED. THE REAL WORK HAPPENS LONG BEFORE AN ARREST IS MADE OR CRIME IS COMMITTED. IT HAPPENS IN PROGRAMS LIKE RISING STARS WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE FIND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND SEE A FUTURE FULL OF POSSIBILITIES.AND THAT'S HOW WE BUILD SAFER COMMUNITIES. NOT JUST THROUGH ENFORCEMENT, BUT THROUGH EMPOWERMENT. THIS GRANT REPRESENTS MORE THAN FUNDING, IT'S A COMMITMENT TO OUR OUTAND RECOGNITION THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE, WE DON'T JUST CHANGE INDIVIDUAL LIVES, WE CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR COMMUNITY. I DO WANT TO EXPRESS RISING STARS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE $250,000. CHILDREN WHO SWITCH SHOES WITH COPS WILL NOT KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WIELD THE POWER AND AUTHORITY THAT OFFICERS HAVE AND THE POLICE WILL NOT KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE THAT CHILD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
THERE'S A RESPONSIBILITY OF SAPD OFFICERS THAT COMES FROM ONGOING INTERNAL EFFORT AND I DO WANT TO BE SURE THOSE EFFORTS OF RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND REPAIR BY THE DEPARTMENT DO NOT STOP THERE. SO TO CHARLES AND THE ENTIRE RISING STARS TEAM, THANK YOU TO YOUR DEDICATION, TO OUR SAPPED -- TO SAPD FOR YOUR DEDICATION IN SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM. Y'ALL'S WORK IS PROOF WHEN WE GIVE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TOOLS THEY DON'T JUST RISE, THEY SOAR.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE IMPACT OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR
YEARS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM AND IMPACT ON MANY OF THE YOUTH IN THE CITY WHO ARE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES TO SOME OF THE MORE PROBLEMATIC ACTIVITIES THAT YOUNG PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FUNDING IS NOT COMING FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND, BUT THIS FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE CONFISCATED PROPERTY FUND.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT FUND IS UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
SAN ANTONIO CHIEF OF POLICE. IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR, THAT IS
CORRECT. >> COURAGE: SO THEN I WOULD PRESUME THAT THE CHIEF HAS LOOKED AT THIS AND HAS DETERMINED IN HIS OPINION THAT THIS HELPS REDUCE CRIME, THAT IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY MATTER THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMIT THAT MONEY
TO. >> THAT IS CORRECT, YES, SIR.
>> COURAGE: THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. IT HAS MY SUPPORT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 28? OKAY, HEARING NONE, THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL. PLEASE VOTE.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: AYE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD
YOU TURN ON YOUR VIDEO, COUNCILMEMBER? >> VIAGRAN: YES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT.
THAT IS THE BALANCE OF OUR AGENDA TODAY. WE DO HAVE AN EXEC SESSION.
CITY MANAGER REPORT? >> WALSH: ONE ITEM. TODAY THE SPOTLIGHT VIDEO IS ONE OF OUR LIBRARY EMPLOYEES, DL GRANT, HAS BEEN A CITY EMPLOYEE FOR ALMOST 27 YEARS. HE HAS HAD ALL KINDS OF POSITIONS WITH THE CITY IN THAT TIME. HE CURRENTLY WORKS OUT OF OUR CARVER BRANCH.
LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO. >> THEY LOVE THEIR MATERIALS AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO THEM. LIBRARIANSHIP IS ALL ABOUT INFORMATION.
INFORMATION CAN COME IN ANY FORM. IT MIGHT BE BOOKS, ENTERTAINMENT, LEARNED CLASSROOM WE HAVE IN THE BACK.
YOU NEED TO FIND WHAT IT IS THEY NEED AND THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW THEY WANT TO INTERACT WITH THIS SPACE. SOME PEOPLE THINK LIBRARIANS HAVE READ EVERY BOOK, WE
[01:40:05]
HAVE NOT, WE TRY. WE HAVE OUR SPECIAL READING AREA, BUT WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE USER. A LIBRARIAN DOESN'T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING, BUT WE HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW TO GET CLOSE, WHAT TO FIND WHAT YOU NEED AND HELP YOU FIND WHAT YOU NEED. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TRUE IN HER DAY ON DOWN TO OUR DAY. IT WAS DONATED AFTER PHYLLIS WHEATLEY APPRECIATION DAY. I REALLY LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO CONNECT TO THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT IS MY RESEARCH INTEREST.I STUDIED THAT AND YOU KEEP LEARNING MORE AND MORE. YOU TELL THOSE STORIES, YOU FIND THEY HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE A NEIGHBOR'S FAMILY WHO CAME FROM LULING, ANOTHER SMALL TOWN, THEY CAME HERE, THEY WANTED SOMETHING.
SAN ANTONIO WAS THAT -- I GUESS THAT JEWEL, YOU MIGHT SAY, OF OPPORTUNITY.
I LIKE INTEGRITY BECAUSE THAT MAKES ME RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING MY A GAME IN HERE EVERY DAY BECAUSE PEOPLE EXPECT SERVICES FROM US.
AND WE HAVE THE TRAINING, WE HAVE THE SKILL SETS, WE HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND WE WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. CAN GET OFF THE INTERNET, BUT PEOPLE SOMETIMES WANT TO BROWSE THROUGH THE BOOKS AND WE WANT TO GIVE IT TO THEM. [APPLAUSE]
>> WALSH: MAYOR, WE DO THESE WEEKLY, BUT IT'S VERY RARE WHEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE EMPLOYEE HERE TODAY SO DL, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THAT'S IT, ERIK. >> WALSH: YES, SIR.
>> CASTILLO: I'D LIKE A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE. YESTERDAY WAS COUNCILMEMBER
PELÁEZ'S BIRTHDAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU STOLE MY NOTES.
ERIK SOMEHOW USED A BUNCH OF MISDIRECTION FOR US TO MISS HIS BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK SO WE GET A TWO-FER. ARE YOU READY?
>> PELÁEZ: LET THE RECORD REFLECT ERIK IS MUCH OLDER THAN ME.
[LAUGHTER] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I ASSUME THERE'S -- I THINK THERE'S CAKE IN THE BACK AND GRAB YOUR LUNCH AND TAKE IT TO EXEC.
THE TIME IS 10:57 A.M. ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DIB RATE AND DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO 5 # 1.087. VALLEY ROT AND LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING CITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PURSUANT TO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.