Apr 17, 2025 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:26]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION. YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE AIR, CAN'T YOU? IT'S 9:13 A.M. ON APRIL 17, 2025. WE'LL CALL OUR A SESSION TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?

>> COURAGE: MAYOR, WE HAVE QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WELCOME, EVERYONE. I KNOW WE CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO THE CEREMONIALS BUT TO GET US STARTED TODAY I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER

COURAGE TO WELCOME OUR INVOCATOR. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY I'M PROUD TO HAVE US AS AN INVOCATOR, PASTOR DIANNE GARCIA. SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF IGLESIA CHRISTIANA ROCA DE REFUGIO, A MENNONITE CHURCH LED BY AND FOR THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. SHE ALSO SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH'S MINISTRY ORGANIZATION, WHICH HELPS BUILD COMMUNITIES OF HOPE BY PROVIDING LONG-TERM SHELTER AND SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES SETTLING IN SAN ANTONIO.

PASTOR GARCIA WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN THE EXPRESS NEWS FOR A PILGRIMAGE SHE TREKKED FROM CARNES CITY TO SAN ANTONIO, ABOUT 70 MILES, TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF IMMIGRANTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE CLOSE TO HOME. IT WAS A WALK FOR HUMANITY AND A CALL FOR COMPASSION TO OUR NEIGHBORS. PASTOR GARCIA AND HER HUSBAND, NICK, ARE PROUD PARENTS OF TWINS IN SAISD. SHE DRAWS DEEP INSPIRATION FROM HER MOTHER, AN IMMIGRANT FROM ECUADOR WHO HAS BEEN HER GUIDING LIGHT.

BEFORE BECOMING A MINISTER IN 2020, DIANNE HOLDS DEGREES FROM HARVARD AND MIT .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. >> THANK YOU.

LET US PRAY. GRACIOUS GOD, WE PAUSE IN THIS MOMENT TO REMEMBER YOU AND TO REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH US. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIGHT THAT SHINES THROUGH EVERY DARKNESS. THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND THAT WE CAN BE HERE TODAY TOGETHER, GOD, HOLDING THE SHARED HOPE OF GUIDING OUR CITY TOWARDS A FUTURE FILLED WITH YOUR PEACE AND YOUR GRACE. WE PRAY ESPECIALLY ON THIS DAY, GOD, FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE CHILD WHO DIED AFTER SCHOOL YESTERDAY. GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD HOLD AND COMFORT HIS FAMILY AND ALL THOSE THAT ARE GRIEVING. WE LIFT UP ALL THOSE THAT ARE IN THE HOSPITAL, THOSE THAT ARE IN JAIL AND DETENTION, THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME. WE LIFT UP ALL THOSE ALSO WHO SUFFER IN SILENCE, WHO FEEL ISOLATED AND ALONE, WHO CARRY HEAVY BURDENS IN THEIR HEARTS. WE ASK, GOD, THAT IN THIS MOMENT EACH OF THEM WOULD FEEL YOUR PRESENCE AND WOULD KNOW THE DEEPEST TRUTH OF THIS WORLD THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IS DEEPLY LOVED BY YOU. GOD, I ASK THAT AS WE NAVIGATE

[00:05:03]

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

THE FIRST ITEM FOR BUSINESS TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2025. THAT'S ITEM 3 IN YOUR AGENDA. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 3.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, SO AT THIS TIME I'LL ASK -- >>

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM 20. SO WE'LL TAKE ITEM 20 INDIVIDUALLY FOR THE PURPOSES OF A RECUSAL. IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND KNOCK THAT OUT WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE DO HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 22. JACK FINGER.

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

FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. ITEM 22 LOOKS LIKE A FAIRLY INNOCUOUS ITEM ON THE AGENDA. MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, IF YOU BLOW UP ITEM 22 SO WE CAN READ IT. WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT SAY THERE? YEAH. ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY FOR HARM REDUCTION SERVICES AS PART OF THE SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN HEALTH DISTRICT'S SA FORWARD PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD. ALSO, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN -- YEAH, I LOOKED AT THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTS ON THIS AND I WISH SOMEONE WOULD TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT THIS ONE BEFORE YOU GO AHEAD AND LET IT SAIL ON THROUGH.

WHY? BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THIS ITEM NO. 22.

WELL, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GIVE TO THE PATIENTS ON THIS? MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM AND YOU SEE THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED AREA THERE.

OPERATING SUPPLIES, SYRINGES, NEW STERILE SYRINGES PROVIDED THROUGH THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. ON THE BACK SIDE OF THAT PAGE, WHAT ELSE ARE WE BUYING WITH OUR MONEY HERE? SMOKE KITS.

KITS THAT INCLUDE SAFER SMOKING SUPPLIES TO REDUCE THE HARM ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING SUBSTANCES. SAFER SEX KITS. ALL RIGHTY.

INCLUDES CONDOMS, LUBRICANTS, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO PROMOTE SAFER SEX PRACTICE.

HA, HA, HA. WOUND CARE SUPPLIES. MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INJECTION RELATED INJURIES OR INFECTIONS.

THANK YOU. MEANING THAT THEY EXPECT INJURIES WITH THESE INJECTIONS, THESE SHOTS THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE INJECTING WITH THE CLEAN NEEDLES THAT WE

[00:10:04]

HUH? SOMEONE PLEASE PULL 22 FOR DISCUSSION.

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

THAT'S A NICE TIE, JACK. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO PULL UP THE CONSENT AGENDA. THAT'S ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 20 AND ITEM 22.

I'M SORRY. ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM 20. I'LL TAKE DISCUSSION ON THE

CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I JUST HAVE TWO QUICK HIGHLIGHTS. ITEM NO. 17 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE -- TO EXTEND THE LEASE TO AVANCE AT THE FRANK GARRETT CENTER AND AVANCE DOES A LOT OF REALLY GREAT WORK FOR EARLY CHILD HEALTHCARE AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS. I'M EXCITED THEY'RE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR PARTNERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 1, 5, AND 7. THAT SITE IS BETWEEN ALL THOSE THREE DISTRICTS.

I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT 18, WHICH IS US ACCEPTING OUR GRANT AT THE CITY OR OUR EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM. I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERVIEW FOR THAT GRANT PROGRAM EARLIER THIS WEEK AND I WAS SUPER IMPRESSED BY OUR COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS. THEY ARE SO ENGAGED -- AND THE POLICY COUNCIL.

I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT THE ENTIRE EDUCATION TEAM HERE AT THE CITY FOR THE GREAT WORK THEY'RE DOING, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND PUSHING THAT PROGRAM FORWARD, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTINUE.

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

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

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 16. JUST LAST WEEK THE DISTRICT 5 SENIOR CENTER CELEBRATED ITS QUINCEANERA, 15 YEARS OF SERVING SENIOR SENIORS AND ELDERS. I SPECIFICALLY WANT TO SHOUT OUT MS. BERTHA FRANKLIN IN AUDIO] BUT OF COURSE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THEIR ENTIRE STAFF FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN SERVING SAN ANTONIO SENIORS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 22 AND THE IMPORTANT WORK OUR METRO HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DOING TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING OPIOID ADDICTION ISSUES IN OUR CITY. WHAT I APPRECIATE ABOUT THIS ITEM IS ITS EMPHASIS ON KEEPING RESIDENTS SAFE AND STOPPING THE SPREAD OF OTHER DISEASES AND REDUCING SYRINGES ON THE STREETS. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WE SHOULD BE USING OUR OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS, SO THAT'S A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR CITY MANAGER AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT PLAN. LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 24, THE CONTRACT WITH THE FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF WITHIN OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD START PROGRAMS. THE SERVICES ARE NEEDED ACROSS OUR CITY. BY TARGETING THESE RESOURCES TO OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION IS WORKING TO GIVE OUR RESIDENTS STABLE, HEALTHY EMOTIONAL FOUNDATIONS FOR A LIFETIME. A LOT OF GREAT ITEMS TODAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO I RECOGNIZE THAT I AM NOT DRESSED AS FESTIVE AS I SHOULD BE TODAY BUT I AM RIGHT HERE EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY WITH YOU ALL. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE FANS OF PARKS AND REC, YOU MAY KNOW THAT I HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR BEAUTIFYING AS MUCH PARK SPACE AS POSSIBLE.

I'M HAPPY TO VOTE FOR ITEM 15 FOR MUCH-NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO DELL CREST PARK AND TEALER PARK. THERE'S ADDITIONAL LIGHTING TO AUGMENT THE PARK.

A NEW PICNIC PAVILION. 50 TREE PLANTINGS AND ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE.

IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE A FISHER PIER REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADES.

INTERNAL SERVICE A HISTORIC AND MUCH-NEEDED SET OF PROJECTS THAT WILL BEAUTIFY AND INCREASE USES OF OUR OUTDOOR SPACE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH TO CITY STAFF AND OF COURSE TO THE VOTERS WHO APPROVED THE 2022 BOND TO MAKE SUCH PROJECTS POSSIBLE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

$1.2MILLION IS AN INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT FOR DISTRICT 2 PARKS AND I KNOW THESE PARKS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENJOYED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME. VERY EXCITED.

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

[00:15:02]

MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 14. AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT INCLUDING TWO ADDITIVE ALTERNATES FOR PICKWELL PARK IMPROVEMENT. FUNDING IS FROM THE 2022 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM AND DISTRICT 3 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET. THE PROJECT IS IN THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. IT INCLUDES PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND THERE'S QUITE A FEW.

NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS, BASKETBALL COURT, FENCING, NETTING, SURFACING, AND BLEACHERS. THE EXPANSION OF THE PLAYGROUND TO INCLUDE ALL-ABILITIES EQUIPMENT AND SHADE STRUCTURE OVER THE EXPANDED PLAYGROUND AND ADA IMPROVEMENTS.

CONSTRUCTION IS ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN IN SPRING 2025 AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY COMPLETED BY WINTER 2026. THANK YOU.

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

>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 12. IT'S A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE SALADO CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL. THE TRAIL CONNECTION IS GOING TO OPEN UP THE TRAIL TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS OF THE ROGERS RANCH COMMUNITY. AND IT REALLY ADDS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS PART OF THE CITY. SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE THAT WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUR TRAIL SYSTEM IN EVERY PART OF THE

COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM 20. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND PULL UP ITEM 22, WHICH -- I'M SORRY. 20, WHICH IS PULLED FOR RECUSAL

[Miscellaneous  ]

COULD YOU READ THE CAPTION? >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 20 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH, A, OPPORTUNITY HOME SAN ANTONIO AND, B, LACKLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FLEET MAINTENANCE, FUEL, AND REPAIR SERVICES BEGINNING UPON EXECUTION AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, WITH FOUR, ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS. THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE OF

$355,600 WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE FLEET SERVICES FUND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU HEARD THE ITEM. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT. DO I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION?

OKAY. VIVA FIESTA! >> VIVA!

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR ANNUAL RECOGNITIONS OF ALL OF OUR GREAT FIESTA ORGANIZATIONS WHO CONTRIBUTE MIGHTILY FOR THIS 11 SOME-ODD DAY PERIOD. WE KNOW THE PREPARATIONS GO ALL YEAR LONG.

EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME THIS YEAR. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK AT THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT VISITORS AND LOCALS ARE GOING TO ENJOY THE EVENTS.

I KNOW THE NONPROFITS ARE ANTICIPATING THIS A LOT FOR THEIR BENEFIT AS WELL AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FANTASTIC WEATHER. WE KNOW IT.

WE HAVE PRAYED FOR IT ALL YEAR LONG, SO WELCOME, EVERYBODY. IF I COULD START WITH HAVING THE FIESTA COMMISSION COME ON UP TO THE FRONT. WHEREAS FIESTA SAN ANTONIO, ONE OF THE NATION'S PREMIER FESTIVALS WILL TAKE PLACE APRIL 24 THROUGH MAY 4, 2025 TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE HEROES OF THE ALAMO AND THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO AND CELEBRATE SAN ANTONIO'S CULTURE AND DIVERSITY. WHAT BEGAN IN 1891 AS A ONE PARADE EVENT HAS GROWN INTO AN 11-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA WITH PARADES, FOOD EVENTS, LIVELY AND LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT AND A LONG-STANDING TRADITION OF OBTAINING AND WEARING AS MANY FIESTA MEDALS AS POSSIBLE. WHEREAS NOW IT IS CELEBRATING ITS 134TH ANNIVERSARY, THIS FESTIVAL IS COORDINATED BY THE FIESTA SAN ANTONIO COMMISSION, A NONPROFIT VOLUNTEER SELF-SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION AND THROUGH SUPPORT OF ITS PARTICIPATING MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS WORK YEAR ROUND TO MANAGE THE THOUSANDS OF DETAILS AND DAY-TO-DAY TASKS ESSENTIAL TO PLANNING AND EXECUTING THE HUGE CITY-WIDE CELEBRATIONS.

WHEREAS THE FUN-FILLED MULTICULTURAL PARTY WITH A PURPOSE GENERATES TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE CITY, BENEFITS NUMEROUS NONPROFITS AND CAUSES AND PROVIDES A SAFE

[00:20:05]

>> WELL, MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. QUICK INTRODUCTION OF THESE WONDERFUL FOLKS BEHIND ME.

TO MY LEFT, JIM MERY WHO EVERYBODY KNOWS IN SAN ANTONIO.

OUR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. THE BEST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE BUSINESS, STEVE.

OUR PRESIDENT-ELECT, MS. FERN BURNEY. ALLISON REYES IS OUR TREASURER. MS. KATHY, OUR VICE PRESIDENT. OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE MR. BART SIMPSON, OUR FIRST VICE PRESIDENT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

MY NAME IS DAVID CHRISTIAN AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIESTA SAN ANTONIO COMMISSION. OUR THEME THIS YEAR IS FIESTA FOR ALL .

A REFLECTION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND CELEBRATING WHAT MAKES SAN ANTONIO SPECIAL. ANOTHER GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR US IS PARTY WITH A PURPOSE.

A REMINDER THAT WHILE FIESTA IS FUN, IT'S ALSO MEANINGFUL. WE ARE DEEPLY THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TO FIESTA.

THIS CELEBRATION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH YOU.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING THAT RELATIONSHIP IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK MAYOR RON NIRENBERG FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO THIS CITY. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HIS SUPPORT AND PROUD TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR'S FIESTA UNDER YOUR TENURE. FIESTA IS MORE THAN A PARTY, IT'S A CULTURAL INSTITUTION, ONE THAT BRINGS OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR CITY'S VIBRANT SPIRIT. IT'S ALSO A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC ENGINE, GENERATING MILLIONS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, AND THE CITY ITSELF.

THIS YEAR THERE ARE FIESTA EVENTS HAPPENING ON ALL SIDES OF TOWN, WHETHER YOU'RE ON THE NORTH SIDE, THE SOUTH SIDE, THE EAST SIDE, THE WEST SIDE, AND OF COURSE DOWNTOWN.

FIESTA IS EVERYWHERE AND EVERYONE IS INVITED. THAT'S WHAT FIESTA FOR ALL MEANS TO US. WE ALSO KNOW THAT WITH BIG CELEBRATIONS COME BIG RESPONSIBILITIES. THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY AND OUR PARTNERS TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND SECURITY. WE'VE MADE STRIDES IN MAKING FIESTA SAFER, MORE WELCOMING, AND MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US, FOR BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF THIS CELEBRATION, AND FOR HELPING US CONTINUE TO MAKE FIESTA SOMETHING SAN ANTONIO CAN BE

PROUD OF. VIVA SAN ANTONIO! >> VIVA!

>> AND VIVA FIESTA! THANK YOU, MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DAVID AND TO THE ENTIRE FIESTA SAN ANTONIO OF THE BEST OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. I THINK PEOPLE COME AROUND FROM ALL OVER TO SEE OUR FIESTA BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE.

IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING OVER THE PERIOD OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS BUT YOU HAVE COME BACK IN FULL FORCE AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE OUT THERE WITH YOU NEXT WEEK. I DO WANT TO GIVE A PSA, THOUGH. DURING FIESTA'S CALENDAR ON MAY 3 WE'RE HAVING A BIG EVENT ALSO, THE CITY, SO DON'T FORGET TO MAKE PART OF YOUR FIESTA CALENDAR BE GOING TO VOTE IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES. WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND AND AROUND TODAY, SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS HEAR FROM OUR FIESTA COMMISSION AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS COME UP AND PRESENT AND THEN WE'LL DO ANOTHER ROUND AGAIN.

COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF Y'ALL'S EFFORTS WITH FIESTA. I KNOW IT'S A HUGE UNDERTAKING.

I KNOW MANY OF Y'ALL AND I KNOW Y'ALL POUR Y'ALL'S HEART AND SOUL INTO IT.

ON BEHALF OF US AND THE CITY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS.

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

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. YES, YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OUT AT OUR SOUTHSIDE EVENTS, FLOTILLA, MISSION SAN JOSE

[00:25:06]

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK BECAUSE I KNOW THIS ISN'T EASY.

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

COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO TO BRING THE SPIRIT OF SAN ANTONIO TO EVERYONE. I FEEL LIKE THESE NEXT FEW DAYS ARE ONES THAT THE CITY CAN BE VERY PROUD OF AND IT'S BECAUSE OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOU ALL AND THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO YEAR ROUND. I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM THAT WE HAVE FIESTA SAN ANTONIO AND WE GET TO CELEBRATE YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

CONGRATULATIONS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO FIESTA. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I LOVE FIESTA. I'M SO EXCITED. I ALWAYS SAY THAT THE OFFICIAL SOUND OF FIESTA IS THE JINGLE JANGLE OF THE MEDALS, BUT THANK YOU ALL NOT ONLY FOR ALL THE FUN YOU BRING BUT OF COURSE IT'S A PARTY WITH THE PURPOSE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MONEY YOU RAISE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. AND FOR ANY FIRST-TIME VISITORS TO SAN ANTONIO, YOU'RE IN FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. THIS IS OUR MOST FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

IT'S LIKE FIESTA CHRISTMAS AND I GET SO EXCITED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. THANKS, MAYOR.

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

COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. GETTING TO REPRESENT DOWNTOWN IS SUCH AN HONOR AT THIS TIME.

I KNOW ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BE SAFE THIS YEAR AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME RAISING LOTS OF MONEY. I APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

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

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU ALL THAT YOU DO FROM CASCARONES TO CHICKEN ON A STICK TO OF COURSE THE FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT LOCAL NONPROFITS. YESTERDAY I WAS WITH SOME ORGANIZERS IN TOWN FROM NEW YORK AND I HANDED THEM ONE OF MY FIESTA MEDALS AND THEY WERE SO CONFUSED.

I WAS LIKE, IT'S LIKE POGS, PARTY WITH A PURPOSE. I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE FOLKS THROUGH THE PARTYING WITH A PURPOSE. I WANT TO BE SURE FOLKS DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PINATAS, WHICH IS AN EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE AT THE GUADALUPE PLAZA .

WE INVITE FOLKS TO CELEBRATE AT THAT EVENT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

>> COURAGE: I WANT TO COMMEND YOU BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS A JOB THAT STARTED THE DAY AFTER THE LAST FIESTA AND IT'S A LOT OF WORK TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT HOW MANY

EVENTS ARE NOW PLANNED THROUGH FIESTA THIS YEAR? >> I TELL EVERYBODY OVER 100.

THE EXACT NUMBER -- I WOULD SAY 120. >> COURAGE: WELL, I REALIZE THAT FIESTA IS EVERYWHERE IN OUR CITY. NO COMMUNITY IS LEFT OUT.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ORGANIZATION AND HARD WORK YOU DO.

YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH PEOPLE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

SO, THANKS. AND CONTINUED GOOD LUCK DURING FIESTA.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE WORDS. THANK YOU.

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

>> WHYTE: I'LL JUST ECHO THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. IT'S IMPORTANT WORK THAT Y'ALL DO AND SO REALLY APPRECIATE

IT. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. THANK YOU, GUYS VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

WE'RE GOING TO GRAB A SEAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: STICK AROUND BECAUSE ALL THESE OTHER FOLKS ARE GOING TO PRESENT TOO. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. NOW IF I COULD HAVE OUR KING ANTONIO AND COURT PLEASE COME UP. WHEREAS SINCE 1926 THE TEXAS CAVALIERS HAVE HONORED THE MEMORY OF OUR ALAMO HEROES, KEEPING ALIVE THE SPIRIT OF TEXAS HISTORY AND THE PART SAN ANTONIO PLAYED IN THAT HISTORY. WHEREAS TO ACHIEVE THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES THE TEXAS CAVALIERS CREATED KING ANTONIO TO DELIVER POSITIVE, HEALTHY MESSAGES TO LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN, REINFORCING THE VALUES OF EDUCATION AND SELF-RESPECT. WHEREAS PAUL HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS KING ANTONIO 102ND AND WILL REPRESENT THE TEXAS CAVALIERS AND GREET ALL SUBJECTS AT ROYAL APPEARANCES AND DISTRIBUTE FUNDS DURING FIESTA 2025. WHEREAS KING ANTONIO WILL REIGN OVER THE TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE ON APRIL 28, 2025 AND DELIVER MERRIMENT AND MIRTH ALONG THE BANKS OF OUR SAN ANTONIO RIVER TO THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AND CITIZENS. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT PAUL IS DUALLY RECOGNIZED AS KING ANTONIO. WELCOME, PAUL.

[00:30:07]

. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT OF FIESTA AND EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE TEXAS CAVALIERS HAVE BEEN UP TO. WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING A RIVER PARADE, APRIL 28.

HARD AT IT. THIS YEAR THE THEME IS SHINE BRIGHT: A CELEBRATION OF LIGHT AND ILLUMINATION FOR ALL. OUR CHARITABLE HONOREE FOR THE FIRST TIME IS THE IDD COMMUNITY. WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING AND PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON SEVEN NONPROFITS THIS YEAR, WHICH IS VERY EXCITING AND SOMETHING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.

OUR GRAND MARSHAL THIS YEAR WAS ROSEMARY. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE PASSED BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HONORING HER AND HER MEMORY AND ALL THE GREAT THINGS SHE DID FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DURING THE RIVER PARADE . PROCEEDS WILL GO TO OUR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, WHICH SINCE ITS INCEPTION HAS DONATED $17 MILLION TO CHILDREN'S CHARITIES IN SAN ANTONIO. THIS YEAR WE'RE PROJECTED TO DONATE $3 MILLION, BRINGING OUR GRAND TOTAL TO OVER $20 MILLION. SO WE'RE PROUD OF THAT AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO. OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IT WAS $11 MILLION.

WE GOT SOME MOMENTUM AND THERE'S A LOT MORE TO DO. FINALLY, OUR ART CONTEST WAS HELD A FEW WEEKS AGO. SEVERAL OF YOU WERE ABLE TO COME.

IT MEANT A LOT TO OUR WINNERS TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE. INCLUDED IN OUR GIFT BAGS ARE ARTWORK FROM EACH OF YOUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS. EVERY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT HAD A WINNER. THOSE WINNERS, INCLUDING THE GRAND WINNER, WHICH WILL BE FEATURED ON OUR RIVER PARADE PROGRAM, ALL OF THOSE WINNERS, ART SCHOOLS, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE MONEY FOR THEIR ART PROGRAMS. SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERFUNDED PROGRAMS. WE'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS YEAR ALONE, $104,000 TO PUBLIC SCHOOL ART PROGRAMS IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

YOU SHOULD SEE SOME ARTWORK FLOATING AROUND TOWN ON A VIA BUS SO HONK FOR IT WHEN YOU SEE IT. FINALLY, IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME TO BE IN SAN ANTONIO.

SO VIVA FIESTA! >> VIVA! >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. PAUL, WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOUR COURT TO THE PUBLIC?

>> MOST IMPORTANTLY THE HARDEST-WORKING PEOPLE OF FIESTA.

I HAVE OUR COMMANDER GARNER PEAVY AS WELL AS ERIK REBLIN . >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. I HOPE YOU CAN STICK AROUND. WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND WE'LL HAVE COMMENTS AT THE END. THANK YOU, GUYS.

ALL RIGHT. NOW IF I CAN HAVE EL REY FEO COME UP.

WHEREAS THE LEGEND OF REY FEO DATES BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES DURING WHICH THE KING OF SPAIN DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM HIS SUBJECTS, CHOOSING TO FILL HIS COURT WITH ONLY THE BEAUTIFUL, RICH, AND ARISTOCRATIC AND THE ORDINARY CITIZEN WAS NEVER INVITED TO THE PALACE.

WHEREAS THE COMMON PEOPLE RESENTED THE KING AND ONE DAY A CROWD PROCLAIMED ONE OF THEIR OWN TO REIGN AS THE UGLY KING OR THE PEOPLE'S KING. WHEREAS THE CELEBRATION OF THE POPULOUS TRAVELED TO THE NEW WORLD AND EL REY FEO WAS FORMALIN INVITED TO BE PART OF FIESTA IN 1980. WITH THE FUNCTION OF RAISING FUNDS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNDERSERVING YOUTH. WHEREAS FABIAN CASTILLO, SR. HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS EL REY FEO THE 76TH. SUPPORT THE MISSION AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS OF THE REY FEO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION. HIS COURT WILL VISIT NURSIN HOMES, HOSPITALS, CHILDREN'S SHELTERS AND MORE THAN 60 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO ENCOURAGE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY IN SCHOOL AND BE GOOD CITIZENS. HE WILL SERVE AS A GOODWILL AMBASSADORS AND ITS CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RECOGNIZES FABIAN CASTILLO SR. TO BE EL REY FEO AND EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR A MOST SUCCESSFUL REIGN. WELCOME, GUYS. [APPLAUSE]

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL . I AM HONORED TO BE HERE.

I AM REY FEO 76, FABIAN CASTILLO, SR. BORN ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN HERE. I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD BE DOING THIS AT MY AGE OR AT THIS TIME. WE ARE THE REY FEO SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION.

WE HAVE RAISED OVER $11 MILLION OVER THE YEARS. WITH THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO HELP STUDENTS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS AND NOW THAT WE DO TRADE SCHOOLS IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO ME, BOTH SCHOLARSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME. BUT AS A CONTRACTOR IN SAN

[00:35:05]

WITHOUT A COURT LIKE I HAVE, STRONG-MINDED, BIG HEART, AND KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IS FOR A GREAT CAUSE. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY MEMBERS OF MY COURT. MY PRIME MINISTER IS JAVIER. MY EXECUTIVE MINISTER IS MARTY GONZALES. I STARTED WRONG. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY ROYAL ERIK LAHOOD, MY PRIME MINISTER, JAVIER. MY EXECUTIVE MINISTER, MARTY GONZALES. MY FINANCE MINISTER, SUZANNE OLIVA.

MY EVENT MINISTER, LISA WONG. MY SPONSORED MINISTER, JOE GONZALES.

MY DAY MINISTER, SCOTT. ELAINE DE LA SANTOS. MY SPIRITUAL MINISTER NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION, OUR FATHER CARLOS. I HAVE MY SPONSORSHIP MINISTER, SANDRA. I HAVE MY NIGHT MINISTER, JOHN.

AND MY EDUCATION MINISTER, CHRIS CARMONA. I'M SORRY.

AND MY ADVANCED MINISTER, IVY, AND JOE IS MY JUSTICE MINISTER.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING OUT THERE WITH YOU TOO.

MY THANKS ALSO, FABIAN, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR SCHOOLS.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN STICK AROUND. >> I HAVE A COUPLE OF MEDALS I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE OUT, IF YOU DON'T MIND. ONE IS THE CABRITO.

WE CAN ONLY GIVE OUT 100 OF THESE MEDALS. ONLY THE GREAT KING REY FEO IS ABLE TO HAND THIS OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO . [APPLAUSE] AND WE HAVE OTHER MEDALS TO GIVE OUT. IT WILL BE THE ROYAL ORDER OF THE CROWN.

VIVA SAN ANTONIO AND VIVA FIESTA! >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH AND WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE YOU BACK UP AS WE GO AROUND THROUGH COMMENTS.

OKAY. WELL, NOW IF I CAN HAVE OUR ORDER OF THE ALAMO COME UP WITH THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE. OUR LADIES, PLEASE COME FORWARD AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION FOR OUR BATTLE OF FLOWERS. WITH THE THEME MELODIES IN BLOOM, A TEXAS SERENADE. THE PARADE WILL BE LED BY THE JOSH ABBOTT BAND AS WHEREAS ESTABLISHED OVER 134 YEARS AGO, THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE IS THE OLDEST PARADE IN SAN ANTONIO, ATTRACTING OVER 350,000 SPECTATORS FROM AROUND THE NATION.

IT HAS BEEN THE PARADE IS ONE OF THE FEW PARADES IN THE UNITED STATES PRODUCED ENTIRELY BY AN ALL-WOMEN VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION. THE ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FROM GRADE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE ON THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE AND TO

[00:40:03]

WITH OVER 400 ACTIVE MEMBERS, THIS PATRIOTIC GROUP OF WOMEN IN BRIGHT YELLOW HATS STARTED THIS VIBRANT LIVING TRADITION TO HONOR THE HEROES WHO FOUGHT AT THE BATTLES OF THE ALAMO, GOLIAD, AND SAN JACINTO. WHEREAS THE ICONIC BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE IS A COLORFUL CELEBRATION WITH EACH GENERATION OF VOLUNTEERS LEAVING ITS MARK ON FIESTA THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION'S 134-YEAR-OLD PARADE, A 100-YEAR-OLD CONTEST AND 89-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL BAND FESTIVAL AND A 30-YEAR-OLD ESSAY CONTEST AND THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS FUNDS GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WHEREAS THE FLOATS, BALLOONS, AND FIESTA ROYALTY IN THEIR BEAUTIFUL DRESSES AND STRIKING UNIFORMS WILL INVITE ALL VISITORS AS THE LADIES IN YELLOW HATS HELP THEM TO THEIR SEATS IN THEIR FAVORITE TRADITIONAL SPOTS. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM. TO BE FIESTA BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WELCOME, LADIES.

. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE BEING HERE. COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE. MY NAME IS BETSY ZACHARY, I'M PRESIDENT OF THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS, AND I BROUGHT SOME OF MY OFFICERS WITH ME .

I WILL START OFF WITH HELEN MEYER, ENTRIES FOR THE PARADE. ONE OF THE TWO BIG EVENTS FOR US DURING FIESTA IS OF COURSE OUR PARADE. AND CAROLINE CAIN IS VP OF PARADE. LYNN IS PARLIAMENTARIAN, BYLAWS.

MELISSA HAS THE OTHER BIG EVENT. IT'S THE BAND FESTIVAL ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE ALAMO STADIUM. AND THEN NANCY IS OUR FINANCE.

AND KATHLEEN, OUR COMMUNICATIONS VP. WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE BEING HERE. OH, AND LILY, OUR RECORDING SECRETARY.

I DO WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING -- ALLOWING US TO BE HERE.

WE'RE 134 YEARS OLD. WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 134TH PARADE AND OUR 89TH BAND FESTIVAL. AND WE ARE WHERE FIESTA BEGAN. SO WE CELEBRATE WITH OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY AND GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LADIES.

FIESTA IS SUCH A COLORFUL CELEBRATION BUT WE KNOW WHEN WE START TO SEE THE YELLOW DRESSES THAT IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO TO KEEP OUR TRADITIONS ALIVE. ALL RIGHT. AND HOPEFULLY AGAIN YOU CAN STICK AROUND AS WE MOVE TO THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE NIGHT AND THE FLAMBEAU ASSOCIATION.

WHEREAS THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU WILL HOST THEIR PARADE ON ELECTION DAY WITH THIS YEAR'S THEME BEING DEEP IN THE ARTS OF TEXAS, LED BY GRAND MARSHAL LOPEZ AND JOHNNY HERNANDEZ AND THE LATE JOE VILLAREAL. WHEREAS IN FRENCH THE WORD FLAMBEAU MEANS FLAMING TORCH OR LARGE CANDLESTICK. IT WILL SHINE THROUGHOUT THE STREETS OF BEAUTIFUL SAN ANTONIO, MAGICALLY ILLUMINATING THE RADIANT ROYAL COURTS AND THEIR LIT UP FINERY UPON THEIR FLOATS AND SHOWCASING PERFORMERS AND BANDS LIT UP IN THEIR COSTUMES WITH THE SPOTLIGHT ON BEST OF PARADE GOERS YOUNG AND OLD, WITH THEIR GLOW IN THE DARK FINERY OF BRACELETS ALL AMID THE BACKDROP OF A STARRY NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO.

WHEREAS THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE HAS BEEN NAMED THE BEST IN THE WORLD BY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION AND THE BEST IN TEXAS BY THE TEXAS FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATION AND IS ENJOYED BY MORE THAN 800,000 PEOPLE ALONG ITS ROUTE.

ANOTHER 1.5 MILLION TELEVISION VIEWERS. SINCE ITS OFFICIAL START IN 1948 THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE ASSOCIATION HAS CELEBRATED THE HERITAGE OF THE ALAMO CITY BY

[00:45:06]

NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 3, 2025 TO BE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE NIGHT IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

WELCOME, YOU ALL . [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

WE APPRECIATE YOU HAVING US HERE TODAY AND THE PROCLAMATION.

I'M JOINED TODAY BY THREE PAST PRESIDENTS: PETE ORTIZ, BONNIE, AND IRWIN.

OUR FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, TERRY, DOLORES, GUZMAN, CECILIA -- I DIDN'T MISS ANYBODY THIS TIME. I'M JAMES. I GET TO BE THE PRESIDENT.

I HAVE THE COOL JOB. THEY WORK HARD TO PUT THE PARADE ON AND I JUST BUY MORE LIGHTS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO. BUY MORE LIGHTS.

THIS IS OUR 77TH TIME AND THIS TIME WE HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT.

OUR THEME IS DEEP IN THE ARTS OF TEXAS, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THOSE GRAND AND HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS THAT WE BROUGHT IN THIS YEAR. IT'S REALLY SPECIAL THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MATEO AS OUR GRAND MARSHAL. WHEN IT WAS FIRST SUGGESTED TO ME THAT WE HAVE THIS YOUNG MAN AS OUR GRAND MARSHAL, I THOUGHT, OH, GREAT.

I GET TO SPEND A YEAR DEALING WITH A BRAT. BUT IT TURNED OUT THAT HE'S REALLY A SWEET, SWEET KID. AND THANKFULLY VERY TALENTED. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY SPECIAL TREAT WITH OUR GRAND MARSHAL THIS YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE A SAFE AND VERY GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PARADE.

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT SO WE RENTED THE TRAIN FROM MCALLEN LAST YEAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET CARS OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL THAT WE BUILT OUR OWN TRAIN. IT'S MAKING ITS DEBUT THIS YEAR.

AND OUR GOAL IS TO ULTIMATELY GET EVERYTHING BUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES OFF OF THE PARADE ROUTE SO THAT IT'S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WE'RE HERE TO HAVE FUN.

WE WANT YOU TO COME AND JOIN US TO HAVE FUN AND WE'LL KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

VIVA FLAMBEAU! >> VIVA! >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WE DID LOSE A DEAR FRIEND AND ONE OF OUR HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS THIS YEAR IN JOE VILLAREAL. IT WILL BE AN EXTRA SPECIAL AND PROFOUND EVENING AS WE RECOGNIZE THE ARTS OF SAN ANTONIO BUT ALSO THE ICONS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY SUCH AS JOE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR HONORING HIM AND FOR MAKING ANOTHER WONDERFUL PARADE NIGHT.

APPRECIATE Y'ALL. NOW IF I CAN HAVE OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SAN ANTONIO COME UP, AS WE RECOGNIZE PROBABLY THE MOST TALKED ABOUT FIESTA EVENT EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS NIOSA. WHEREAS THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY'S 77TH PRESENTATION OF A NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO, NIOSA OR NIOSA, DEPENDING ON YOUR FLAVOR, WE AGREE ON THAT. WILL BE HELD IN LA VILLITA NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.

WHAT BEGAN AS A HARVEST FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE EARLY SETTLERS HAS GROWN INTO THE LARGEST HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO CELEBRATE SAN ANTONIO'S UNIQUE TRADITIONS.

WHEREAS THE FOUR-NIGHT EVENT PRODUCED WITH THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS OFFERS 14 CULTURALLY-THEMED AREAS OVER 135 FOOD, DRINK, AND ATMOSPHERE BOOTHS TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR MORE THAN 85,000 REVELERS. WHEREAS PROCEEDS FROM THE NIOSA FUND, THE MISSION TO SUPPORT RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES, PARKS, WATERWAYS, TRADITIONS AND THE INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF OUR MULTICULTURAL CITY AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES THROUGH GRANTS AND PRESERVATION PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. NOW THEREFORE I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 29 THROUGH MAY 2, 2025 TO BE A NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO DAYS IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND OFFER BEST WISHES TO SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY FOR A SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATION FOR PRESERVATION. WELCOME, Y'ALL . THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING

HERE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, MAYOR. YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT VOLUNTEERS.

LAST YEAR WE GOT OUR TALLY AND WE HAD 10,413 VOLUNTEERS. WE ARE RAN BY VOLUNTEERS.

EVERYBODY BEHIND ME IS A VOLUNTEER. OUR QUOTE THIS YEAR IS NIOSA: WHERE GOOD FRIENDS MEET. BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE ALL MEET.

I KNOW WE ALL HAVE OUR CERTAIN PLACE SO WE ALL TELL OUR PEOPLE MEET US THERE, USUALLY AT THE

[00:50:05]

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE NIOSA AS BEING THE VORTEX OF FIESTA ACTIVITIES, SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING OUT THERE. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AS WELL.

EVERYBODY IS STILL HERE SO WE DO WANT TO GO AROUND WITH SOME COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I WAS EXCITED ABOUT TODAY. IT'S JUST OFFICIAL KICKOFF FOR ME -- FOR YOU ALL TO BE HERE IS SPECIAL. THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR FOR ACKNOWLEDGING AND REMINDING PEOPLE THAT THERE IS AN ELECTION OUT THERE, SO THANK YOU ALL FOR PUSHING THAT MESSAGE AS WELL AND REMINDING PEOPLE TO VOTE BEFORE FIESTA. BUT I'LL START OFF WITH THE CAVALIERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW THAT SO I WILL SAY A CLASSMATE IS IN THE CROWD AND I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO IS GOING TO GIVE HIM A SHOUT OUT TOO. WE ARE PROUD OF ALL THE WORK THE CAVALIERS DO.

I THINK IT'S MAYBE LIKE THE FOURTH TIME BUT ONE OF THE D4 LITTLE GIRLS, AUTUMN GARCIA FROM FORESTER ELEMENTARY WAS THE WI WINNER . THE EXCITEMENT IS INCREDIBLE, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD ON THEIR ART PIECES.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THAT EFFORT YOU PUT INTO CELEBRATING THE ARTS.

AUTUMN'S PIECE HAS A BIG PART OF HISPANIC CULTURE. SHE EVEN TURNED THE SUN INTO HER AS THE WINNER . THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, TEXAS CAVALIERS. LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME AND ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CAUSE. THEN I'LL GO OVER TO REY FEO.

TO FABIAN CASTILLO AND THE ENTIRE TEAM, I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE BUT I AM A SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT OF REY FEO. HE ASKED ME WHAT YEAR AND I SAID I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU BECAUSE IT WAS A REALLY LONG TIME AGO. I HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL TO SAY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THAT MESSAGE YOU GAVE ME IN TERMS OF HOPE AND IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF HOW AN EDUCATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE. YOU ALL DO THAT.

YOU ALL CELEBRATE. YOU ALL WORK HARD ALL YEAR LONG RAISING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.

AND I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT ALSO TO MY OTHER LSA CLASSMATE, JACOB, BUT THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDATION. HAPPY THAT CHIEF MCMANUS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK WITH YOU ALL FIESTA DE LOS REYES.

THERE ARE KIDS DEPENDING ON YOU ALL . SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I'LL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE WONDERS THAT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP HAS DONE IN PARTICULAR FOR ME. THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS, YOU ALL BRING THE SUNSHINE. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU ALL IN YOUR BRIGHT YELLOW DRESSES. THE MINUTE WE GET TO THE PARADE, EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS ON TOP OF IT HELPING PEOPLE. ALSO, WHEN I WAS A PARADE PARTICIPANT AND I WAS ON THE DANCE TEAM, YOU ALL KEPT US ON TRACK. YOU WERE LIKE, HURRY UP.

YOU ALL HAD A TIME SCHEDULE. IT WAS INCREDIBLE TO SEE JUST THE AMOUNT OF VOLUNTEERS AND JUST SO PROUD THAT IT'S AN ALL-WOMEN LED EVENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL FOR THAT AND REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALL ARE CHEERFUL ALL OF THE TIME, EVEN WITH ALL THE STRESS OF THE PARADE, YOU ARE SUPER CHEERFUL. FIESTA FLAMBEAU, THE ARTS FOCUS AND DEEP IN THE ART OF TEXAS YOU ALL HAVE, MY GOODNESS. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR TALENT. I'M INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO SEE THAT COME TO FRUITION, THAT WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING SO MANY LOCAL ARTISTS. I'M TRULY, TRULY, TRULY EXCITED. I'LL PROBABLY BE WATCHING ON TV THIS YEAR BUT I WISH THAT I COULD PARTAKE IN THIS YEAR'S PARADE. AND THEN, FINALLY, JUST IN

[00:55:04]

SO NIOSA OF COURSE WITH LA VILLITA AND THE PRESENCE THAT Y'ALL BRING.

I TALK ABOUT NIOSA WHEN I GO ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND I LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE'S ALL THESE DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT WE HIGHLIGHT IN SAN ANTONIO. AND THEN I REMIND THEM THAT FIESTA IS A PART OF THAT. AND THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE I USE FOR THAT IS NIOSA.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO CELEBRATE THE RICH CULTURES THAT MAKES SAN ANTONIO SO SPECIAL.

SO THANK YOU ALL. LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING AND JUST AGAIN WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO SAY THAT WE GET TO HAVE YOU ALL UNDER ONE ROOF TODAY. THANK YOU.

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

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

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TIME IN SAN ANTONIO AND ALL OF THE WORK Y'ALL DO ALLOWS US TO CREATE MEMORIES WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH OUR FAMILIES.

YOU KNOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE TEXAS CAVALIERS FOR THE ART PROGRAM THAT Y'ALL DO.

AND ALSO TOO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE RIVER PARADE.

TO FABIAN CASTILLO AND YOUR ENTIRE COURT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FOR VISITING ALL THE SCHOOLS. ALL THE KIDS GET SO EXCITED WHEN YOU VISIT THEIR SCHOOLS. BUT ALSO THE FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE AND BATTLE OF FLOWERS.

ME AND MY DAUGHTERS LOVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE VIDEOS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF Y'ALL'S EFFORTS IN DOING THAT AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

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

>> WHYTE: YEAH. SHORT AND SWEET FOR ME. I MEAN, FIESTA IS ABOUT ALL OF THESE GREAT ORGANIZATIONS, RIGHT? JUST LIKE IT'S ABOUT THE ENTIRE CITY COMING TOGETHER, RIGHT? ALL FOUR CORNERS OF OUR GREAT CITY WE COME TOGETHER.

WE CELEBRATE THIS REALLY SPECIAL EVENT THAT WE CALL FIESTA.

AND SO TO ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR PART TO MAKE THIS SO SPECIAL FOR THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU AT ALL OF THE GREAT EVENTS.

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

>> HAVRDA: THANKS, MAYOR. TO KING ANTONIO AND THE CAVALIERS, THANKS FOR BRINGING SO MUCH HEART TO FIESTA. THE RIVER PARADE IS ALWAYS SUCH A STUNNING HIGHLIGHT BUT WHAT WE ADMIRE IS HOW MUCH YOU GIVE BACK. YOUR VISITS TO SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS, SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S CHARITIES, THAT'S REALLY WHAT MAKES THE TRADITION SHINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. REY FEO AND THE CONSEJO, YOU BRING A SPIRIT OF FIESTA WITH EVERY SASH, SPEECH, AND SCHOLARSHIP.

WE KNOW THAT EVERY DOLLAR RAISED GOES TOWARDS HELPING STUDENTS ACROSS OUR CITY TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS. WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. SPECIAL FOR US THIS YEAR IS MY HUSBAND IS A CONSEJO THIS YEAR. THANK YOU TO FABIAN CASTILLO AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY FRIEND ERICA LAHOOD. SHOWING US ALL HOW FIESTA IS DONE. THANK YOU. YOU BRING THAT PARTY WITH A PURPOSE TO LIFE. THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS IS AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY.

IT'S WHERE FIESTA BEGINS FOR ME AND IT'S ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF THE YEAR. WHEN I WAS A KID I MARCHED IN THAT PARADE HOW MANY TIMES.

I DO PREFER TO WATCH IT BECAUSE IT'S HOT BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THE NIGHT PARADE IS MY FAVORITE EVENT. I'M BUMMED TO MISS IT THIS YEAR. IT'S ELECTION NIGHT BUT THANKS TO THE TEAM THAT'S BEHIND FLAMBEAU NIGHT PARADE AND THANKS TO THE MAGIC YOU BRING TO OUR CITY AND REMINDING US THAT FIESTA SPARKLES BRIGHTEST UNDER THE STARS. NIOSA, I HAVE A REQUEST TO PUT A VOTING BOOTH OUTSIDE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO.

THANKS, MAYOR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW. I LOVE HEARING THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT Y'ALL HAVE RAISED OVER THE YEARS. AND SEEING THE AMOUNT THAT WE GET EVEN JUST IN ONE YEAR, TRYING TO CALCULATE THAT IT SEEMED LIKE BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATIONS, WE MUST BE RAISING ALMOST LIKE $7 MILLION, IF NOT MORE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF WE DO A FULL COUNT OF HOW MUCH ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS RAISED TOGETHER.

AT THIS TIME RIGHT NOW YOU KNOW OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE DOING SUCH HARD WORK AND THEY GET TO BENEFIT FROM THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

YOU ALL GIVE SO WONDERFULLY AND SO KINDLY TO THEM. KEEPING THEM GOING, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY THRIVING, WHICH WE WILL NEED EVEN MORE THIS YEAR. HOPEFULLY WE'LL RAISE MORE MONEY AT ALL THE EVENTS YOU ARE HOSTING TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT ALL OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS

[01:00:02]

I USED TO HOST A TEACHER RECRUITMENT EVENT DURING FIESTA AND IT WAS OUR IDEA TO TRY TO BRING TEACHERS INTO THE CITY FROM OUTSIDE WHO WANTED TO GET EXPOSURE TO WHAT WE ARE.

I REMEMBER HOW MUCH THEY WERE LIKE, WOW. THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN A CITY THAT HAS THIS KIND OF CULTURE AND THIS EXPERIENCE.

SO I JUST ALWAYS THINK THIS IS TRULY THE TIME WHERE WE ALL GET TO SEE HOW WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL AND CULTURALLY THRIVING OUR CITY REALLY IS. JUST WANT TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE. I WILL TRY TO BE THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR.

I ACTUALLY LOVE NIOSA. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVES. I JUST ENJOY BEING IN LA VILLITA. LA VILLITA IS SUCH A GEM AND I LOVE SEEING EVERYONE THERE AND THE STACKS OF CUPS AND ALL THE FOOD AND DIFFERENT CULTURES. I GET TO EAT LIKE FIVE DIFFERENT CUISINES IN ONE NIGHT. ALL OF THAT TO SAY I WILL DEFINITELY TRY TO BE OUT THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR. THANK YOU ALL FOR LEADING THE

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

YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIESTA EVER SINCE I CAME HERE OVER 50 YEARS AGO. AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT YOU SPONSOR AND THE EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE, I THINK I'VE EXPERIENCED ALL OF THEM OR BEEN TO ALL OF THEM, WHETHER IT WAS THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS OR REY FEO COMING TO THE SCHOOL I TAUGHT AT OR WHETHER IT WAS BEING A VOLUNTEER AT NIOSA OR SO MANY OTHERS. WHAT YOU DO REALLY BRINGS PRIDE AND JOY TO THIS CITY.

AND WHENEVER I TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT SAN ANTONIO, I SAY COME DURING FIESTA.

IT'S THE BEST TIME TO BE HERE AND TO SEE THE BEST OF SAN ANTONIO.

I HOPE THAT THIS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL FIESTA FOR ALL OF US AND THAT ALL OF YOU WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THIS, YOU KNOW, THE CITY OWES YOU A DEBT OF APPRECIATION AND I HOPE YOU ALL FIND SUCCESS IN ALL THE ACTIVITIES YOU'RE WORKING ON THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.

COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER TWO THINGS. ONE, I WANT TO OFFER MY GRATITUDE.

FIESTA HAS BECOME SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION OF WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY AND OUR CULTURE. AND YOU ARE EACH CONTRIBUTING SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY IN THE SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY AND LOVE AND I KNOW THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING TO THESE EVENTS AND ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS THAT COULDN'T BE HERE, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL APPRECIATED. YOU ARE MAKING SUCH AN IMPACT IN EDUCATION AND THE ARTS AND SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION AND MAINTAINING OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE MANY PEOPLE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY AND AS YOU MENTIONED, HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS.

IT IS SUCH A TREMENDOUS EFFORT THAT YOU PUT IN AND IT'S COMMENDABLE AND DESERVES THAT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION. PLEASE GIVE YOURSELVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] EARLIER SOMEONE MENTIONED THE PHRASE "FIESTA FOR ALL" AND IT STRUCK ME. I ASKED SOME OF MY CONSTITUENTS IF THEY CELEBRATE FIESTA AND WHICH EVENTS THEY PARTICIPATE IN AND I WANT TO CONVEY THE SADNESS I FEEL WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE SAY FIESTA IS NOT FOR THEM. TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS IS ALWAYS POPULAR AND THAT TAKES PLACE IN MY DISTRICT. I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO ASK AND QUESTION HOW MIGHT WE MAKE ALL FIESTA EVENTS A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FEELS IT'S FOR THEM.

WHO CAN WE BRING TO THE TABLE TO OFFER NEW FEEDBACK? AND IF YOU WILL PARTICIPATE WITH ME, IF YOU WILL LOOK AROUND THE ROOM, NOW, WHO'S MISSING? WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE MISSING AND HOW CAN WE BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT INCLUDING THOSE WHO AREN'T HERE? YOU ARE SOME OF THE MOST KINDEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND I LOVE PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENTS WITH YOU ALL AND I SEE PASSION IN EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU, PARTYING WITH A PURPOSE. IF YOU KNOW OUR CITY COUNCIL, YOU KNOW WE ONLY PARTY WITH A PURPOSE. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL HEARING THE PASSION IN EACH OF YOUR VOICES AS YOU SPOKE ABOUT YOUR MISSIONS. AND YOU ARE OWED A DEBT OF APPRECIATION. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

IT'S TRULY SPECIAL AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

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

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

IN SHORT, MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED ON NO MATTER WHAT ORGANIZATION YOU ALL CONTRIBUTE YOUR TIME AND RESOURCES TOWARDS, YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT IMPACT IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY THE PRIDE OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO BUT PARTICULARLY WITH OUR YOUTH.

THE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS PROGRAMMING, THE SCHOLARSHIPS, AND JUST THE OVERALL SENTIMENT THAT IT PROVIDES AND PRIDE IT PROVIDES TO SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS IS EVIDENT AND IMPACTFUL. I KNOW IN DISTRICT 5 THIS IS SOMETHING THAT RESIDENTS ARE ALWAYS VERY EXCITED FOR BECAUSE WHETHER WE WORK IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND IT

[01:05:05]

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

I'LL WRAP UP JUST BY GIVING US ONE MORE VIVA FIESTA! >> VIVA!

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AND, REALLY, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIRELESS WORK THAT YOU IN AUDIO] AND ALSO THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF THAT HARD WORK AND THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE BENEFITED FROM IT. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING OUT THERE WITH YOU AND SHOWING OFF OUR CITY TO RESIDENTS AND TO VISITORS. I WILL SAY ALSO, BECAUSE FIESTA IS SO MUCH ABOUT TRADITION AND RENEWAL OF TRADITION, WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US. ROSEMARY BEING ONE. JOE VILLAREAL ANOTHER, JUST THIS YEAR. IF I MAY JUST ASK YOU ALL FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

JOE WAS LOST THIS PAST MONTH. WE DO OWE HIM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR HIS GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY, JUST LIKE THE MANY, MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHERS THAT PRECEDED HIM. ROSEMARY AND SO MANY OTHERS. IF WE CAN REMEMBER JOE AND ALL THE OTHER LOVED ONES THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEART WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. AND IN THEIR MEMORY AND WITH THEIR SPIRIT OF ENJOYMENT, WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND HAVE ONE OF THE BEST FIESTAS EVER.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] OKAY.

WE DO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY BUT FIRST LET ME TURN IT OVER TO ERIK FOR CITY MANAGER'S

REPORT. >> WALSH: MAYOR, NO CITY MANAGER'S REPORT TODAY.

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THIS ONE WILL BE QUICK SO WE

[Executive Session At any time during the meeting, the City Council may recess into executive session in the C Room to consult with the City Attorney's Office (Texas Government Code Section 551.071) and deliberate or discuss any of the following:  ]

>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION -- FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.