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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR A SESSION AGENDA. THE TIME IS 9:17 A.M. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE GET STARTED THIS MORNING. THE MAY 15TH, 2025.
WE WILL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNINGS EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR A SESSION AGENDA. TO START US THIS MORNING, I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER
TO COUNCIL MEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: MELANIE IS A TEACHER AT DIVINE YOGA, A SPOT OFF SUNSET AND BROADWAY. SHE'S A 500 HOUR INSTRUCTOR FOR KUNDALINIYOGA.
IT IS A SANSKRITWORD FOR UNION AND IN THIS CONTEXT, IT REFERS TO HARMONIOUS INTEGRATION OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT AND IT OFFERS A STATE OF ONENESS WITHIN ONESELF AND THE DIVINE. IT IS ESPECIALLY GEARED TOWARDS CULTIVATING THE INNER WISDOM, AS ROYAL YOGA, THE PRACTICE INCORPORATES THE USE OF POSTURE, BREATH, AND SACRED SOUNDS. RECOGNIZING THE DEPTH OF TRANSFORMATION OFFERED, MELANIE WAS MOVED TO TEACH TO HELP PEOPLE OVERWHELM BIDE STRESS, RELATIONAL DIFFICULTIES, LIMITING PATTERNS AND TRAUMA. THE PRACTICE ALSO SUPPORTS HER INTERPERSONAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE AS WELL, WHERE SHE WORKS AS DIVISION MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR KB HOME. TODAY SHE ASKS THAT WE STAY SEATED. I WILL PASS IT OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING. THE TRADITION TEACHES THAT WE EACH CARRY MANY ASPECTS WITHIN US INCLUDING HABIT, FEAR, CONDITIONING AND EGO BUT WE ALSO HAVE RICH CAPACITIES TO SOMETHING DEEPER, THE SPACE OF THE SOUL, AND THE NEUTRAL MIND. THIS IS THE PART OF US THAT DOESN'T REACT, DOESN'T JUDGE, AND DOESN'T NEED TO COMPARE OR SEPARATE TO FEEL SECURE. AS HUMANS, WE ARE INHERENTLY BIASED. THIS ISN'T BECAUSE WE ARE BAD.
IT'S BECAUSE OUR MINDS ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO LOCATE IDENTITY.
I AM THIS, NOT THAT. I BELONG, THEY DON'T. THE EGO DEFINES ITSELF BY CONTRASTS. THROUGH CULTIVATING NEUTRALITY, WE SOFTEN THE URGE TO DEFINE AND DEFEND, CREATING A PAUSE BETWEEN STIMULUS AND RESPONSE.
IN THAT PAUSE, LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, AND WISDOM HAVE SPACE TO LEAD.
LEADERSHIP THAT SERVES ALL BEGINS HERE. WITH THE COURAGE TO MEET OUR OWN INNER WORLD HONESTLY AND WITH STILLNESS. AND TO EXTEND THAT SAME SPACIOUSNESS TO OTHERS. SO KUNDALINIYOGA ISN'T ABOUT WORDS, IT'S ABOUT EXPERIENCE.
I WILL TAKE A SHORT LITTLE TIME THIS MORNING TO DO A LITTLE BREATH WORK TO HAVE A SHORT LITTLE EXPERIENCE TOGETHER. I INVITE YOU ALL TO PARTICIPATE AND JOIN IN WITH ME TODAY. FIRST, PUT YOUR FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR. STRAIGHTEN THE SPINE. LIFTING THE CHEST.
WE ARE GOING TO USE OUR HANDS FOR THIS AS WELL. PLACE YOUR THUMB UNDERNEATH
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YOUR PINKY FINGER, THEN WRAP YOUR FINGERS AROUND YOUR THUMB.BRING YOUR HANDS TOGETHER, JOINING THAT MIDDLE SEGMENT OF YOUR FINGER RIGHT AT THE LEVEL OF THE HEART. CLOSE YOUR EYES. WE WILL BEGIN A BREATH PATTERN HERE. INHALE THROUGH THE NOSE. WHEN YOU EXHALE, EXHALE THROUGH ROUNDED LIPS. THEN INHALE ROUNDED LIPS. AND EXHALE THROUGH YOUR NOSE.
CONTINUE. THAT'S INHALE NOSE, EXHALE ROUNDED LIPS.
INHALE ROUNDED LIPS. AND EXHALE NOSE. MY VOICE WILL DROP OFF.
WE WILL BE IN SILENCE JUST FOR A SHORT BIT TOGETHER. KEEP YOUR BREATH GOING.
[SILENCE] >> WE'RE MEDITATING ON THE BREATH, WE'RE MEDITATING ON LIFE ITSELF.
>> NOW RELAX YOUR HANDS DOWN. KEEP THE EYES CLOSED. FROM THIS SPACE OF OPEN AWARENESS, WE OFFER OUR PRAYER. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ONENESS, THE INFINITE CREATIVE ENERGY THAT MOVES THROUGH ALL BEINGS AND ALL THINGS.
THIS DIVINE PRESENCE IS BEYOND NAME AND BEYOND FORM, YET EXPRESSES ITSELF UNIQUELY THROUGH EACH OF US, AS INSIGHT, COMPASSION, COURAGE AND SERVICE.
MAY WE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE NOT SEPARATE, BUT INTERCONNECTED, THAT LEADERSHIP DOES NOT ARISE FROM CONTROL BUT FROM ATTUNEMENT.
TO EACH OTHER, TO THE CITIZENS SERVED AND TO OUR INNER WISDOM.
MAY THE WORK DONE HERE TODAY BE GUIDED BY CLARITY, INSPIRED BY UNITY AND ROOTED
IN LOVE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. IF WE COULD PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
WE DO HAVE, AS YOU CAN SEE, MANY PEOPLE WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE TODAY.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, LET ME ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. I'M SORRY. WE WILL DO ITEM NUMBER 3 FIRST, THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. ITEM 3 IS THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 21, 2024, AS WELL AS APRIL 30TH, 2025 AND MAY 1ST, 2025.
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS READ IN ITEM NUMBER 3. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. [PAUSE] THE MOTION CARRIES.
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ALRIGHT. WE DO HAVE A FULL CONSENT AGENDA AND ITEM NUMBER 4 IS THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S FOR INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULLFROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AT THIS TIME? >> ITEM 16, PLEASE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM 16. ANY OTHERS? OKAY.
SO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION OR BRIEFING TODAY.
ITEMS 4 AND 16. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION ON THE REMAINDER WHICH WILL BE ON CONSENT. ITEMS 4 THROUGH 15.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4 AND 16.
WE DO HAVE FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT.
LET ME CALL THEM NOW. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME GROUPS HERE.
IF YOU GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT, LET ME CALL UP JACK FINGER ON ITEM 15.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION ITEM 15 ON TODAY'S MEETING AGENDA. SEE IF YOU CAN LOOK AT THE UNDERLINED AREA, NUMBER 15, APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT ESTABLISHING A COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER THE EAST-WEST, NOT NORTH AND SOUTH THIS TIME, BUT EAST-WEST SILVER LINE ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT CORRIDOR NOW, FOLKS, THIS IS ABOUT, WELL, YOU HAD SUCH A BIG CONTROVERSY REGARDING THE NORTH-SOUTH GREEN LINE. MANY OF YOU HAD PEOPLE COME UP TO THIS VERY PODIUM TO SAY DON'T DO IT BECAUSE IT'S AN ENCROACHMENT INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS FOR OUR -- ACTUALLY CAUSE TRAFFIC JAMS ON SAN PEDRO AND SO FORTH BECAUSE YOU WILL BE TAKING AWAY OUR MOTORIST LANES SPECIFICALLY FOR BUSES, LANES THAT WE PAID FOR WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. WE THE MOTORISTS PAY FOR THAT. WELL, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME EXACT THING, THIS TIME WITH A DIFFERENT CORRIDOR, GOING EAST AND WEST.
YES, COMMERCE THROUGH THE EAST SIDE THERE. YES.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, A NUMBER OF DEFECTS WE NOTICED ON THIS. THIS IS IN YOUR BACKUP DOCUMENTS HERE.
IT SAYS THE ART, ADVANCED RAPID TRANSIT VEHICLES, RUN IN DEDICATED AND MIXED USE LANES. I REPEAT, DEDICATED AND MIXED USE LANES.
RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD. YES.
IN WRITING, IT'S TELLING US THAT YOU'RE GOING TO STEAL OUR MOTORIST LANES.
YEAH. NOW, HERE'S A GOOD QUESTION. WHAT IF MOTORISTS, SOME JERK OF A MOTORIST SAYS WELL, I NEED TO GET AHEAD SO I'M GOING TO TRAVEL INTO THAT VI ALVIA LANE? WHO'S GOING TO STOP HIM? IS THERE GOING TO BE A TRAFFIC COP AROUND TO TICKET HIM? HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST? THE FISCAL IMPACT, THIS IS WHAT I LOVE THE MOST, THERE IS NO FISCAL IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ORDINANCE. THANK YOU. RETURN THE CAMERA.
I LOVE THAT. I MEAN, HOW MANY MILLIONS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE WE GOING TO SPEND ON THIS, AND THERE'S NO FISCAL IMPACT? IS ANYBODY GOING TO PULL THIS, TO AT LEAST TALK ABOUT IT?
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I WILL ASK NOW, LLOYD WELTY, TO COME UP. ON ITEM NUMBER 8. IF YOU ALL ARE HERE WITH A GROUP, WILL YOU LET ME KNOW, AND THAT WAY, THEY CAN COME UP WITH YOU.
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MR. WELTY, DO YOU HAVE ANYONE WITH YOU WHO IS SPEAKING? IF YOU ARE COMING UP WITH A GROUP, JUST GO AHEAD AND COME ON UP. IF YOU CAN JUST IDENTIFY WHOYOU ARE AND I CAN KNOCK YOU OFF THE LIST HERE. >> I'M LLOYD WELTY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU ALL ARE SPEAKING TOGETHER? >> WE WEREN'T.
WE WERE SIGNED UP SEPARATE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. IF YOU ARE SIGNED UP SEPARATE, JUST GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR TIME SEPARATELY. I APOLOGIZE.
>> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. I'M LLOYD WELTY, VICE PRESIDENT OF PICK AND PULL, INCORPORATED, LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
PICK AND PULL HAS BEEN SAVING SAN ANTONIO MONEY FOR 39 YEARS.
DURING THIS TASK FORCE ON THIS REWRITE OF CHAPTER 16, WE HAVE SPENT OVER 50 HOURS REWRITING THE CURRENT CODE TO BRING IT UP TO BETTER STANDARDS.
THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS THAT STARTED EARLY LAST FALL.
THE TASK FORCE WAS PUT ON A BREAK DUE TO PUBLIC APPOINTEES NOT SHOWING UP TO THE MEETINGS OR WALKING OUT DURING THE MEETINGS. DURING MARCH OF 2025, THE TASK FORCE MET TWICE A WEEK FOR ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO FOUR HOURS AND PUT NUMEROUS HOURS INTO THIS. WHILE PROGRESS WAS MADE, ONCE AGAIN WE HAD TO EDUCATE A NEW SET OF PUBLIC APPOINTEES ABOUT OUR INDUSTRIES AND OPERATIONS.
AND THE GOOD WE DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENTS AND RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.
THERE IS AN ARTICLE ON CITIZENS.ORG THAT CALLED OUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO E-MAIL VOTE AGAINST THIS PROPOSED CHAPTER 16 REWRITE. ONE OF THE THINGS ON THAT IS NON-CONFORMING GRANDFATHERED USE. THE PUBLIC TASK FORCE MEMBERS THINK WE HAVE NON-CONFORMING USE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR OPERATIONAL USE BECAUSE WE ARE IN FLOOD ZONES. WHEN THE REASON FOR THIS IS WE WERE OPEN AND OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS BEFORE BEING ANNEXED INTO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AS IT EXPANDED. THIS IS A STATE LAW.
IN ORDER TO ALLOW SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESSES AND PROVIDE VALUABLE SERVICES TO THE CITY CITIZENS. THIS WAS EXPLAINED IN DEPTH TO THEM BY THE DSD. THE PUBLIC TASK FORCE MEMBERS AGREED TO YOUR AP CODE MATCHING MRE AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO REPAIR, PUT UP NEW BUILDINGS ON OUR PROPERTIES, SO AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS INCREASE, WE CAN BUILD NEW BUILDINGS TO PUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS UNDER COVER. THIS CURRENT RIGHT IS IN THE MRE CODE THAT WAS WRITTEN IN 2012. FOR SOME REASON IT GOT LEFT OUT OF THE OTHER PART OF CHAPTER 16. IN THE TWO PARTS OF CHAPTER 16 UNDER THE OLD CHAPTER, THERE WAS 13 SECTIONS WITH THE EXACT WORDING OF FIVE ADDITIONAL SECTIONS THAT HAD MINOR WORDING CHANGES MISSING ENTIRELY.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES HAVE 14 SECTIONS THAT ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AND FOUR THAT ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. THE PUBLIC IS SAYING THEY DON'T WANT US TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND INTO PARCELS THAT ARE NOT NON-CONFORMING. THERE'S A CLAUSE WRITTEN IN SECTION 16-187 FOR UAPRS AND IT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR THE MRES IN SECTION 16-204 SINCE THE CURRENT CHAPTER WAS WRITTEN IN 2012. W BETTER ENFORCEMENT, THE PUBLIC WANTS BETTER ENFORCEMENT.
OUR PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE HOMEOWNER, IF A TREE IS TEARING UP HIS SIDEWALK, HAS GOT 30 DAYS TO GET IT REPAIRED OR APPROVED CONTRACTS.
THE INDUSTRY TOOK IT DOWN FROM 30 DAYS TO THREE DAYS ON OUR SIDE.
WHEN THE BUSINESSES REDUCE THEIR DAYS TO REPAIR BY 90%. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. WELTY. I HAVE MARVIN MARWANHOSSEINI, FOLLOWED BY ART RAMOS.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I'M THE OWNER OF A SALVAGE YARD RECYCLING YARD IN SAN ANTONIO. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN ALL THE CODE UPDATES, ESPECIALLY THE CITY STAFF AND ALL THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AND CLARIFY WITH THE COMMUNITY.
FIRST LET'S DEFINE WHAT CONSTITUTES AN UNCONFORMING USE FOR SALVAGE AND RECYCLING YARD. THESE PROPERTIES WERE DESIGNATED AS SUCH WHEN THEY WERE ANNEXED TO THE CITY LIMITS TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR EXISTING LAND USE. IT'S A STATE LAW TO PROTECT PROPERTIES WHEN ANNEXED TO THE CITY. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT A SALVAGE YARD UARP. OUR INDUSTRY FORCES A CHALLENGE IN BUILDINGS, ON OUR PROPERTIES TO PROTECT OUR PARTS FROM BEING WEATHER CONDITIONED.
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SALVAGE YARDS HOLD PARTS TO BUILD UP INVENTORY AND PROVIDE FOR CUSTOMERS WHEN PARTS ARE NEEDED. WE PREFER TO HAVE A NICE AND ORGANIZED WAREHOUSE AND AVOID LEAVING PARTS OUTSIDE THAT MIGHT BE DAMAGED OR HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT.DUE TO THE EXPOSURE. IMAGINE TELLING YOUR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK UNDERNEATH THE HEAT AND RAINS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADD A BUILDING OR A STRUCTURE ON OUR EXISTING LAND USE. LASTLY, LET'S REMEMBER THAT OUR INDUSTRY CREATES A JOB FOR OVER 500 FAMILIES IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE FIX THEIR CARS INSTEAD OF PUSHING THEM, TO BE BURIED WITH NEW
CAR LOANS AND PAYMENTS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. ART RAMOS? MR. RAMOS, YOU WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY JEFF VEXLER. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM A CONCERNED CITIZEN, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND I'M HERE TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH MONTERREY IRON MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO MY OWN FAMILY. THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING MY FAMILY FOR 22 YEARS, SELLING SCRAP IRON TO MONTERREY, AND MY FATHER BEFORE THAT.
I DEAL WITH THE KIND OF RECYCLABLES THAT DON'T FIT IN A BLUE BIN.
THE KIND OF THINGS THAT I TAKE IN ARE SO HEAVY, THEY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TO DISMANTLE. HEAVY FORKLIFTS, FLATBEDS, MAN POWER AND INSURANCE COMPLETE. THESE JOBS AREN'T ONES YOUR AVERAGE PERSON CAN DO.
IT TAKES A SKILL THAT MANY DO NOT HAVE. REMEMBER, NOT EVERYONE CAN SIT AT A DESK BEHIND A COMPUTER. DIRTY JOBS ARE WEELREAL JOBS, TOO. THE VEXLERS ARE AN AMAZING FAMILY.
WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, THEY CALLED EVERY DAY CHECKING ON ME.
ONCE HOME, I COULDN'T WORK FOR 14 WEEKS AS I HAD TO HEAL FROM A MAJOR SURGERY.
THEY NOT ONLY CHECKED ON ME, BUT THEY ALSO CHECKED ON MY WIFE AND THE FAMILY, KNOWING IT WAS A STRESSFUL TIME. OVER THE YEARS, PEOPLE WOULD CALL MONTERREY ABOUT SCRAPPING HEAVY MACHINES. MONTERREY WOULD SPEAK SO HIGHLY OF MY SKILLS TO THESE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES, THEY WOULD CALL ME. THIS CENTURY, OLD FAMILY BUSINESS HAS BEEN HERE TO CARE FOR RECYCLING BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE GROWN WITH THEM. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT MONTERREY MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC MEANS, SINCE THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE A BETTER PRICE DUE TO HAVING A SHREDDER AND WITH THE SHREDDER, IT ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THE SCRAP PILES DOWN, NOT ONLY FOR THE PLACE BUT ALSO THE OTHER SCRAP YARDS AROUND THE CITY. SOMERSET ROAD AND THE AUTO RECYCLERS DOWN THE HIGHWAY THAT SELL SCRAP TO MONTERREY, WHICH ALLOWS THESE SMALLER COMPANIES TO MAKE MONEY AND PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES. THE IMPACT WOULD CAUSE A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT WOULD AFFECT MORE THAN JUST ONE FAMILY BUSINESS.
AN ATTACK ON THE VEXLERS IS AN ATTACK ON THE RAMOS FAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE FAMILY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. JEFF VEXLER?
YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MANNY MORALES. >> WE ARE GOING TO SPEAK AS A
GROUP. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHO IS WITH YOU, JEFF?
>> LET'S SEE. ALEXANDER SANDERS, CURTIS MOREHEAD, PETER CANE AND MIKE
MOLINA. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. YOU HAVE NINE MINUTES.
GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.
I'M JEFF VEXLER, VICE PRESIDENT OF MONTERREY METAL RECYCLING.
MOST OF YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE OF OUR COMPANY BUT YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT I'M THE DEFACTO COMMUNITY LEE IAISON FOR OUR BUSINESS. WE HAVE DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH NEIGHBORHOOD PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS AND HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ALL OF THOSE IN THE NEIGHBORING -- IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING MONTERREY OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, MULTIPLE TIMES, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO KEEP A GOOD FAITH CONVERSATION WITH THE PEOPLE SURROUNDING US, AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE DONE THAT.
OUR NEIGHBOR IS VFW POST 4700. MIKE MOLINA IS THE COMMANDER THERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MIKE TO SHARE HIS THOUGHTS.
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>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING. I'M RETIRED SERGEANT FIRST CLASS MIKE MOLINA, COMMANDER OF THE VFW POST 4700 NAMED AFTER ONE OF THE SAN ANTONIO'S MOST FAMOUS HEROES' SONS, THE VERY FIRST MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I'M ALSO A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF ESPARZAWHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.
HE FIRED THE CANNON AND FOUGHT AGAINST HIS OWN BROTHER.
I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF THOSE LEGACIES TODAY. MY FAMILY HAS OVER 100 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE. MY POST WAS ENACTED IN 1843, THE ONLY BUSINESSES IN THE AREA WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM US, THE MONTERREY IRON AND METAL RECYCLING COMPANY. I DID SOME DIGGING INTO OUR DATA BASE AND HAVE NOT COME ACROSS ANY DATA OR COMPLAINTS IN OUR MINUTES FROM OUR MEETINGS, GOING BACK FOR YEARS AND YEARS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED THE CUSTOMERS AND CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE POST, IF THEY HAD ANY TIME DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR DUST OR DEBRIS ON THE CARS, ANY EVIDENCE OF AIR PROBLEMS AFTER ALL THE SENIOR CITIZEN SUNDAY DANCES AND YOU WILL UN -- UP UNTIL TODAY, THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS.
THE LITTLE KIDS PRACTICE, 20 KIDS, THREE TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE ASKED THE KIDS AND COACHES WHO PRACTICE WITH THE KIDS, HAVE YOU HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE KIDS RUNNING OUTSIDE FOR FOUR HOURS A DAY WITH BAD AIR. THEY SAID NONE.
I BELIEVE FACTS MATTER, SINCE WE ARE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE RECYCLING COMPANY. WE WOULD BE THE FIRST AND FOREMOST RELIABLE PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM, ONLY THERE ISN'T ONE. THE RECYCLING COMPANY HAS BEEN OUR BEST NEIGHBOR AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ADDRESS ANY PROBLEM THAT WE MAY HAVE IMMEDIATELY. THEY HAVE DONATED TO OUR CONCESSION STAND AND DONATED A TEN-TON MILITARY LAV THAT MAKES OUR MEMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME FEEL LIKE WE FINALLY REPRESENT OUR POST PROPERLY. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS ALEXANDER SANDERS. >> HELLO. I'M ALEX.
I HAVE OVER TEN YEARS OF SAFETY EXPERIENCE. I'M A MACHINE OPERATOR.
I HAVE OSHA CERTIFICATIONS. I JUST WANT TO LET Y'ALL KNOW THAT I CAN TELL YOU COMING FROM A DIFFERENT INDUSTRY BEFORE RECYCLING, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ALL THE REGULATIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AT MONTERREY AND BOTH AT ALL-STAR, WE HAVE BINDERS AND BINDERS FULL OF COMPLIANCE MATERIAL, BOTH WITH THE TCEQ, EPA, SAWS, FIRE CODE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. SOMEONE WHO COMES FROM WEARING ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF HATS, AT ALL-STAR ESPECIALLY, SAFETY SUPERVISOR, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT GOING AROUND LOOKING AWEED HEIGHTS, SMALL HOSE AND FENCES, PEST CONTROL, TAKES A LOT OF TIME, A LOT OF MONITORING.
I COULD BE MONITORING PILE HEIGHTS, MACHINE HEALTH, INSPECTING INCOMING LOADS, JUST TO NAME A FEW THINGS. THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN OUR INDUSTRY. A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY THINK THAT WE HAVE A DIRTY JOB.
IT IS DIRTY, BUT WE DO A LOT. WE CLEAN UP THE CITY A LOT. A LOT OF PEOPLE COME, THEY ARE BRINGING CANS, METAL, OFF THE STREETS THAT THEY'RE RECYCLING.
SO IT DOES HELP A LOT. WE ARE TRYING TO HELP. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS CURTIS MOREHEAD. CHM RECYCLING.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MONTERREY IRON AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO ME AND THE EMPLOYEES THAT I HAVE, BUT ALSO TO MANY BUSINESSES, MANY PEOPLE THAT'S IN THE RECYCLE BUSINESS. MONTERREY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 50 PLUS YEARS WHERE THEY'RE AT.
THEY EMPLOY 80 PLUS EMPLOYEES. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THEY EMPLOY ALL OF US, FOR US TO FEED OUR FAMILIES. SO THIS BEING A PIONEER BUSINESS AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO THIS COMMUNITY IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GUYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ON A PIONEER BUSINESS. APPRECIATE IT.
HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> HELLO. I'M PETER CANE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT FOR MONTERREY METAL RECYCLING SOLUTIONS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS BUSINESS. THIS IS NOT JUST A DROP-OFF SITE FOR SCRAP METAL. THIS IS WHERE RESPONSIBILITY MEETS ACTION, MONTERREY IS WHERE OLD FORGOTTEN METAL GETS A SECOND LIFE AND IN DOING SO, HELPS BUILD A
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CLEANER, SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.IT PROVIDES A SAFE, LEGAL AND EFFECTIVE WAY FOR HOMEOWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND BUSINESSES TO RECYCLE EVERYTHING FROM APPLIANCES TO CONSTRUCTION. NOW LET'S ADDRESS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION. APPEARANCE. TOO OFTEN, THESE FACILITIES ARE JUDGED BY HOW THEY LOOK. YES, THEY HANDLE HEAVY, USED AND BULKY MATERIALS.
YES, THEY CAN APPEAR ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES. LET'S BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.
GRITTY DOES NOT MEAN ILLEGAL AND MESSY DOES NOT MEAN NON-CON PLIANT.
IT IS FULLY PERMITTED AND OPERATES IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS. THE COMPANY WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO ENSURE FULL COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS PROVEN THROUGH REGULAR AND FREQUENTLY DOCUMENTED COOPERATION WITH OVERSIGHT AGENCIES. MONTERREY METAL RECYCLING SOLUTIONS IS NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM. THE PART OF THE SOLUTION. THE COMPANY FOLLOWS THE RULES, DOES THE HARD WORK AND PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN SUPPORTING BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY. NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND BEHIND THE BUSINESS DOING THE RIGHT THING. LET'S WORK WITH THEM, NOT AGAINST THEM.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
>> JUST TO WRAP THAT UP, IF I MAY, MAYOR. I WILL CUT IT SHORT BECAUSE I REALIZE WE HAVE A BUSY DAY. KEEP IN MIND THAT EVERY MINUTE THAT WE ARE MICRO-MANAGING THINGS LIKE WEED HEIGHTS IS A MINUTE THAT'S NOT SPENT INSPECTING LOADS, WHICH MIGHT BE THE MORE IMPORTANT FACTOR. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR
YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. VEXLER.
NEXT WE HAVE CHRISTINA RAMIREZ. CHRISTINA RAMIREZ? LASTLY -- I'M SORRY, DEBORAH PONCE. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
CHEYENNE RINON. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU
HAVE ANYBODY ELSE SPEAKING AS A GROUP? >> AS OUR COMMUNITY, OUR
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN UPLIFTING THIS ISSUE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELVES? I WILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE MARKED OFF THE LIST.
>> I JUST PUT MY NAME DOWN. DEBORAH PONCE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: NO ONE
ELSE IS SIGNED UP THEN. GO AHEAD, DEBORAH. >> GOOD MORNING.
I'M DEBORAH PONCE, I'M THE COMMUNITY MEMBER AND CLIMATE JUSTICE ORGANIZER FOR PUBLIC CITIZEN. FIRST THINGS FIRST, WE ARE NOT AGAINST RECYCLERS AND WE'RE NOT ATTEMPTING TO SHUT ANYBODY DOWN. WE NEED THE JOBS, WE NEED THE RECYCLERS. LET'S REMEMBER WHY WE'RE HERE.
IN 2023, A SERIES OF FIRES BROKE OUT AT A METAL RECYCLING FACILITY IN SAN ANTONIO. FIRES THAT RELEASED TOXIC SMOKE INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WITH NO WARNING, NO EVACUATIONS AND LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY. NEIGHBORHOODS SUFFERED FOR TEN HOURS ON ONE FIRE. IN RESPONSE, CITY COUNCIL ASKED FOR CLEAR, ENFORCEABLE REFORMS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE GOAL WAS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. NOT INDUSTRY CONVENIENCE. THE TASK FORCE MADE SOME PROGRESS. WE NOW HAVE CLEARER DEFINITIONS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, INCLUDING AUTOMOTIVE SHREDDER RESIDUE OR FLUFF.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING STRICTER PILE HEIGHTS, FIRE PREVENTION PLANS, FENCING REQUIREMENTS AND ZONING RULES TO STOP NEW CLUSTERS OF POLLUTING BUSINESSES.
THESE ARE ALL GOOD STEPS. BUT I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO REMOVE ONE DANGEROUS EXCEPTION, THE ALLOWANCE FOR EXISTING RECYCLING BUSINESSES TO EXPAND THEIR ORIGINAL OPERATIONAL FOOTPRINT ON NON-CONFORMING PROPERTIES. LET ME BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A SMALL ASK OR SMALL TWEAK. THIS IS AN ACTUAL LOOPHOLE THAT'S BEEN ADDED TO THIS CCR. IT WOULD ALLOW EXISTING FACILITIES, MANY LOCATED IN RESIDENTIAL AND FLOOD-PRONE AREAS TORAREAS, TO SPREAD POLLUTION FURTHER INTO OUR AREAS. ONCE YOU OPEN THAT DOOR, OTHER POLLUTING INDUSTRIES WILL FOLLOW. LAWYERS IN HAND. THIRD, THIS IS BEING FRAMED AS A COMPROMISE, BUT THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS, NO COMMUNITY AGREEMENT ON EXPANSION. IN FACT, SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS COULDN'T ATTEND MEETINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE HELD DURING WORKING HOURS. THE CITY SAYS THAT 1,000 FOOT BUFFER BETWEEN NEW FACILITIES IS A WIN FOR RESIDENTS BUT THAT'S NOT A REAL TRADE-OFF FOR US. 1,000 FEET IS ABOUT THREE CITY BLOCKS.
IT WON'T STOP NEW FACILITIES FROM OPERATING IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOW MANY NEW ONES ARE EVEN REALLY TRYING TO OPEN. THE BIGGER THREAT IS EXPANSION OF THOSE ALREADY OPERATING. THIS ISN'T ABOUT STOPPING ALL
[00:35:04]
DEVELOPMENT. WE ARE NOT OPPOSE ING SAFETY UPGRADES.BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR NO EXPANSION ON OPERATIONS ON LAND THAT ZONING RULES ALREADY SAY IS INAPPROPRIATE. CLEARER LANGUAGE IS NEEDED HERE.
THE COMMUNITY SAFETY SHOULD NOT BENEGOTIABLE. OUR HEALTH, FAMILIES, CHILDREN, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOTNEGOTIABLE. PLEASE VOTE TO REMOVE THIS EXCEPTION AND VOTE TO PASS THE ORDINANCE THE WAY IT IS. LET'S RIGHT THIS WRONG AND NOT TRADE AWAY COMMUNITY FOR SAFETY IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. CHE CHEYENNE RINON? YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LARRY GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL. GOOD MORNING, MAYOR.
I WAS AN APPOINTEE FOR DISTRICT 5 FOR THE TASK FORCE.
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BUT ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVELY HAVE AN INVOLVEMENT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PROPOSE TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE SAFEGUARDS AROUND THIS PROPOSED REGULATION. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECT MONTHS OF HARD WORK AND REAL COMPROMISE, SOME THAT WE WEREN'T REALLY HAPPY WITH, BUT OTHERS THAT WERE MAJOR MILESTONES.
AND THE INCLUSION OF LANGUAGE AROUND FLUFF AND SHREDDER RESIDUE IS A GREAT RESEMBLANCE OF THAT. MATERIALS SUCH THAT THE AP HAS RECOGNIZED FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND THE FACT THAT SAN ANTONIO IS NOW CODIFYING THIS SHOWS HOW CRITICAL IT IS TO REGULARLY UPDATE MRE APR STANDARDS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES BUT ALSO LEAD WITH FORESIGHT. I'M URGING YOU TO ADOPT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS NOT JUST FOR D4 AND D5, WHERE THE IMPACT IS THE GREATEST, BUT FOR I'M GOING TO SHIFT A LITTLE BIT AND REALLY ADDRESS THE DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE THESE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES. STAY WITH ME.
I KNOW IT'S A LOT HAPPENING RIGHT HERE BUT STAY WITH ME. RIGHT NOW, DISTRICT 4 AND 5 HOUSE 76% OF THESE FACILITIES IN SAN ANTONIO. THAT'S A HEAVY BURDEN.
BUT THAT'S ONE THAT WE HAVE CARRIED WITH PRIDE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
FOR THESE FACILITIES, THEY WILL EVENTUALLY NEED TO EXPAND.
WE NEED TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWTH OF OUR CITY AND EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A PROUD TEXAN, EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A PROUD SAN ANTONIOIAN. WE WILL HAVE AN INCREASE IN POPULATION WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE AN INCREASE IN RECYCLING.
IT'S ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWTH OF OUR CITY.
WELL, EVENTUALLY THAT EXPANSION WILL REACH YOUR DISTRICT.
EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE SPACE RUN OUT OF DISTRICT 4 AND 5 WHERE 76% WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE JUST FOR THESE TWO DISTRICTS TO SERVICE ALL OF CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. 76%. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THIS.
IF YOUR DISTRICT WERE ASKED TO CARRY THIS BURDEN, WOULDN'T YOU EXPECT STRONG SAFEGUARDS AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE? WOULDN'T YOUR RESIDENTS WANT THEIR VOICES HEARD? THE RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE YOU ARE THOSE VOICES WHO HAVE ALREADY LIVED, WHO ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN THOSE EXPERIENCES NEXT TO THESE FACILITIES, AND THEY MAY NOT COME FROM YOUR DISTRICT BUT THEY ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS.
THEY ARE FROM SAN ANTONIO. WE ALL ARE. THAT MEANS IT AFFECTS ALL OF US. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THIS WORK UNFINISHED.
VOTE TO ADOPT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND IF YOU ARE FEELING AMBITIOUS, SUPPORT FUTURE CCRS. SUPPORT THE CCRS THAT STRENGTHEN THIS INDUSTRY WITH FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND FORESIGHT. LET'S STAND TOGETHER AS PROUD RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO. LET'S GUIDE OUR CITY WITH THE VALUES OF OUR CITY.
TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY AND INNOVATION TO BUILD A MORE EQUITABLE, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR EVERY DISTRICT AND FAMILY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. LARRY GARCIA? I'M TOLD I MISSED MANNY MORALES. HE WAS? OKAY. OKAY. LARRY GARCIA IS NOT HERE.
MANUEL ALONZO? >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MANUEL ALONZO.
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IN PARENTHESES, MY NAME IS MANUEL OSABE.>> TRANSLATOR: I'M AN ENGINEER WITH A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AT MONTERREY METAL RECYCLING SOLUTIONS. THIS IS A FAMILY COMPANY WHICH WAS FOUNDED OVER 100 YEARS AGO. THEY HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND AS AN EXAMPLE, I CAN MENTION THE FOLLOWING.
>> TRANSLATOR: THEY HELP US WITH THE BANK CREDIT, THEY GIVE US ADVICE, BANKING ADVICE, SO THAT WE CAN OPEN OUR BANKING ACCOUNT. THE COMPANY GETS IN TOUCH WITH THE BANK DIRECTLY AND THEY HELP US WITH OUR BANKING NEEDS.
THEY HELP US OPENING OUR ACCOUNTS, SAVING ACCOUNTS AND EVEN INVESTMENTS OF OUR MONEY.
TRY TO GET THE BEST HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR US.
>> TRANSLATOR: THREE, THEY HIRE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEGAL ISSUES WITH PAROLE.
FIVE, THEY TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. SIX, IN REGARD TO TECHNOLOGY, THEY HAVE GROWN A LOT. SEVEN, THEY WORK ALONG WITH THE CITY SO THAT THEY CAN -- I MEAN WITH THE PREVENTION OF FIRES AND ACCIDENTS.
>> TRANSLATOR: THESE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF ACTIONS WHICH HAVE ENCOURAGED US TO KEEP ON WORKING HAPPILY AT THIS COMPANY. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL YEAR LONG, IN SPITE OF THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE MARKET, WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTIONS OF OUR SALARIES AND WE EVEN GET A BONUS FOR GOOD PERFORMANCE.
THAT MONTERREY METAL RECYCLING SOLUTIONS IS A COMPANY WHICH TAKES GOOD CARE OF ITS INTERESTS BUT NOT ONLY THAT, BUT ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS
EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. ALONZO. ALRIGHT. THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEMS THAT REMAIN ON CONSENT. WE WILL OPEN IT UP NOW FOR
COUNCIL DISCUSSION. COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE? >> COURAGE: NO, MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD ITEM 14 FOR CONSIDERATION. I'M SORRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, I'M GOING TO PULL ITEM 14 FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. SO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY, ITEM 4, ITEM 16 AND NOW ITEM 14 AS WELL. OKAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 9, APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF KATHY TORRES TO THE DISABILITY ACCESSORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE JUNE 1, 2025, EXPIRING MAY 31ST, 2027.
WE HAVE HAD GREAT RESIDENTS STEP UP AND SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE.
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I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HER SERVICE. THANK YOU.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE A QUEUE FOR
CONSENT. COUNCIL MEMBER. >> GARCIA:?
>> ROCHA GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
APPRECIATION FOR A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING NOW.
THANK YOU TO THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM AND ENSURING WE FINALIZE THIS FUNDING AGREEMENT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE JOURNEY OF FLIGHT LEADERSHIP FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING TO GET THIS RIGHT AND OF COURSE, MAYOR, WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP A FEW YEARS AGO, WAS THE FIRST TO SIGN UP AND TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES TODAY. MILITARY CITY USA, WE HAVE SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE HELPED SHAPE OUR CITY AND A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY. BECAUSE LACKLAND IS IN DISTRICT 4, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT A GROUP THAT IS COMMITTED TO HONORING AND PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF AVIATION IN SAN ANTONIO. JOURNEY OF FLIGHT, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE KELLY CENTER, IS DEDICATED TO SHOWCASING THE CITY'S RICH HISTORY IN AVIATION AND ITS CRUCIAL ROLE IN TRAINING AND SUPPORTING THE BRAVE SERVICE WOMEN AND MEN WHO DEFEND OUR FREEDOM.
PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO CREATE AN AIRMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM THAT WILL SERVE AS A VIBRANT HUB FOR THEM. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF YOUR MISSION, A PART OF THE MISSION TO CREATE AN AIRMAN HERITAGE MUSEUM TO HONOR THE AIRMEN, GUARDIANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD TO LEARN AND CELEBRATE THE DIVERSE AND VITAL ROLES OF AIRMEN AND GUARDIANS AND ITS CONNECTION TO SAN ANTONIO'S HISTORY. THE AEROSPACE LEARNING CENTER WILL BE A STATE OF THE ART STEM LEARNING CENTER THAT WILL INSPIRE PEOPLE FOR ALL AGES. IT WILL IGNITE THE IMAGINATION AND CULTIVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AEROSPACE INNOVATORS AND ENCOURAGE OUR YOUTH TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN AVIATION. BOTH CENTERS WILL BE INTERACTIVE AND EDUCATION CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE HISTORY ACROSS THE GLOBE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO? >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 8 AND THANK ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO GAVE PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL AS TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS TASK FORCE, WHICH WAS A SERIES OF OVER EIGHT MONTHS OF MEETINGS, AND DURING THE PCDC PUBLIC COMMENT, ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS MENTIONED THAT THAT WAS ROUGHLY 49 HOURS OF WORK, OF FOLKS DONATING THEIR TIME TO ENSURE THAT NOT JUST DISTRICT 5 BUT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS, THEIR HEALTH, IS PROTECTED AND ENSURING WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PROPOSALS TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO NAME A COUPLE OF THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED SUCH AS CHEYENNE, AL, FRANK AND JULIAN AND ALSO THE BUSINESSES THAT GAVE TESTIMONY TODAY, FOR PARTICIPATING FROM THE INDUSTRY SIDE TO HAVE THIS VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION AND DEBATE. WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY ENSURES THAT THERE IS FASTER REQUIREMENTS AND TIMELINES FOR VIOLATION RESPONSE, CHANGING, AS SOMEONE MENTIONED IN PUBLIC COMMENT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY 10 TO 30 DAYS, TO A TWO-DAY NOTICE TO CORRECT AN ISSUE WHEN A VIOLATION IS NOTICED. WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON TODAY WILL ALSO ADD THE ABILITY FOR THE CITY TO ISSUE CIVIL TICKETS IN ADDITION TO CRIMINAL TICKETS FOR VIOLATIONS. IT CLARIFIES THAT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY CAN BE REVOKED IF OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENSE.
IT FURTHER MODIFIES TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE A LICENSE IF THREE PLUS VIOLATIONS ARE ACCEPTED BY MUNICIPAL COURT WITH A ROLLING 12-MONTH PERIOD AND CURRENTLY THAT PERIOD IS 18 MONTHS. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK HERE WE HAVE DONE WITH COMMUNITY AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TEAM FOR ENSURING THAT THE CONVERSATIONS MOVE ALONG AND WORKING TOWARDS WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY TO TAKE ACTION. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR MY TEAM, WHO ALSO STAFFED THIS MEETING, AND DEREK, WHO WAS PRESENT AT EVERY COMMUNITY MEETING, ENSURING THAT I WAS KEPT UP TO SPEED ON THE DEBATE AND DISCUSSION TAKING PLACE.
ULTIMATELY, THERE'S PLENTY OF MORE WORK TO DO AND THAT'S WHY I'M GRATEFUL ON WHAT WE ARE VOTING TODAY ALSO ENSURES THAT WE ARE REVISITING THIS UDC CODE WITHIN EVERY FIVE YEARS, SIMILAR TO OTHER UDC PRACTICE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAD NOT UPDATED BUT THERE'S PLENTY MORE WORK TO DO. WE KNOW THIS INDUSTRY IS CHANGING, THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET AHEAD OF A LOT OF THE CONCERN, BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE DEFINITIONS THAT WERE DEFINED WITHIN THIS PROCESS, AND SO MUCH MORE.
BUT THERE'S PLENTY MORE WORK AHEAD AND I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, ENSURING THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THE CONCERN WITH GRASS IS PIVOTAL TO ENSURE WE ARE KEEPING THE RESIDENTS WHO RESIDE AROUND THESE FACILITIES SAFE. WE KNOW TEXAS IS VERY HOT, SAN ANTONIO IS HOT. WE ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE 100 PLUS DEGREE WEATHER AND ENSURING THAT GRASS IS MAINTAINED, ENSURES THAT A FIRE DOESN'T SPREAD AND HIT OUR RESIDENTIAL HOMES. I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THAT IMPACT AND MINIMIZE THE ROLE
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OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HAVE RESPONDED TO FIRES TO KEEP NEARBY RESIDENTS SAFE AND ULTIMATELY, THE EMPLOYEES OF THIS INDUSTRY SAFE AS WELL.SO A LOT OF FOLKS TO THANK, PLENTY MORE WORK TO DO, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COMMUNITY WORKED VERY HARD FOR TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING, AS CHEYENNE STATED, NOT JUST D4 AND D5 RESIDENTS BUT THIS IS A BIG INDUSTRY.
WE ARE GOING TO GROW AND WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF ANYTHING BEFORE THERE'S ANOTHER INCIDENT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS ITEM THAT IS
ON CONSENT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. HEARING NONE, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR 4, 14 AND 16. PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ALRIGHT. BEFORE WE GET TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, IF YOU ARE FILTERING OUT, IF YOU COULD DO SO QUIETLY, WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE SOME VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE'S A SERIES OF THESE, BUT WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST INSPIRED IN TERMS OF THE TEAMS THAT SERVE SAN ANTONIO AS OUR SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE NUMBER OF THEM, AS YOU SEE, ARE IN UNIFORM WHICH MEANS THEY ARE READY TO GET BACK OUT ON THE STREET. I'M GOING TO CALL THEM UP FIRST AS WE RECOGNIZE SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICER MEMORIAL DAY. CHIEF, IF YOU AND YOUR TEAM COULD COME FORWARD AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION. IN 1962, PRESIDENT JOHN F.
KENNEDY SIGNED A PROCLAMATION WHICH DESIGNATED MAY 15TH AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY.
AND THE WEEK IN WHICH THAT DATE FALLS IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND WHEREAS SINCE THEN, EVERY YEAR DURING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C., OUR NATION COMES TOGETHER TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE JOINED BY 25 TO 40,000 ATTENDEES, INCLUDING SURVIVORS, FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES OF FALLEN HERO HES TO PARTICIPATE IN A WEEK OF SPECIAL EVENTS DEDICATED TO REMEMBERING THEIR SACRIFICE.
AND WHEREAS EACH AND EVERY DAY, POLICE OFFICERS PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY, RISKING THEIR LIVES IN THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, WHEN EVEN A ROUTINE CALL CAN RAPIDLY ESCALATE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE TO A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION, PUTTING BOTH OFFICERS AND INCINOCENT CIVILIANS INCLUDING CHILDREN AT RISK.
OUR POLICE OFFICERS PROTECT AND SERVE US AND UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE LAWS AND FREEDOMS GUARANTEED BY OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
WITHOUT THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO DUTY, IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE AND PROTECT, OUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND THE MANY FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS WE CHERISH COULD BE CIRCUMVENTED BY PERSONS INTENDING ON HARMING SOCIETY. AND WHEREAS IT IS CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE MANY CHALLENGES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES THAT OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENT FACE, IT IS ESSENTIAL AND INCUMBENT UPON EVERY ONE OF US TO SUPPORT OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND COLLABORATE WITH THEM IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AND MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER.
AND WHEREAS THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL POLICE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY ON MAY 23RD, 2025, AT THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ACADEMY, TO HONOR THE 62 MEMBERS OF THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO, THROUGH THEIR COURAGEOUS DEEDS, HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTY. NOW THEREFORE, I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND RECOGNITION THEREOF, PROCLAIM MAY 15, 2025 TO BE SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY, AND THE WEEK OF MAY 11-17, 2025 TO BE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, AND EXTEND PROFOUND APPRECIATION TO THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE SECURITY AND WELFARE OF THEIR CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE, Y'ALL.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALWAYS A MAN OF FEW WORDS, CHIEF.
YOU GOT THE WHOLE FLOOR. TELL US WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
APPRECIATE IT. ALRIGHT. YOU KNOW, THE NUMBERS THAT WE LOSE CONTINUE TO GROW TOO OFTEN, AND THE MEMORIAL SERVICE THAT WE HAVE NEXT FRIDAY, YOU HAVE BEEN THERE, VERY, VERY SAD EVENT. NECESSARY, UNFORTUNATELY.
THE FOLKS WHO SURVIVED THEIR LOVED ONES BEING KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, THEY HAVE SHOWN UP FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, AND YOU SEE THEM FALLING OFF BECAUSE THEY START GETTING TOO OLD TO COME, OR THEY THEMSELVES DIE. BUT IT'S A SAD EVENT, BUT A NECESSARY ONE THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR OFFICERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE
PROCLAMATION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, CHIEF.
LET ME JUST SAY WHILE WE HAVE THE ATTENTION OF THE ROOM, YOU HEARD ME SAY IT BEFORE, I'M VERY PROUD TO SERVE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BUT LET ME JUST TELL YOU WHAT A DISTINCT HONOR IT HAS BEEN TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WITH A POLICE CHIEF LIKE YOU, AND A DEPARTMENT LIKE YOURS REPRESENTING AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
IT HAS BEEN A TRUE HONOR. YOU MAKE US PROUD EVERY SINGLE DAY, CHIEF.
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO. >> THANK YOU.
BUT THERE YOU HAVE IT, FOLKS. ALRIGHT. NOW IF -- I'M GOING TO CALL A LITTLE BIT OF AN AUDIBLE HERE. IF YOU DON'T MIND.
THAT IS, WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL STUDENTS WITH US TODAY AND THEY NEED TO GET BACK TO CLASS. SO IF WE CAN BRING OUR STUDENTS, WHO ARE HERE AS SOUTH TEXAS ACE RACE WINNERS, COME TO THE FRONT. I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR JUST IN A MINUTE TO COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN, CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN, AS SHE WELCOMES HER SISTER, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN FROM THE SOUTH TEXAS BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP. THESE ARE THE KIDS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR STEM SKILLS AND CREATED VEHICLES THAT WON AN INCREDIBLE RACE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I TOLD THEM ALREADY, THIS IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE TROPHY YOU WILL EVER SEE IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND IT'S WELL-DESERVED.
COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. TODAY WE INVITED THE WINNERS OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ALAMO CITY ELECTROTHON, KNOWN AS ACE RACE.
IF YOU COULD JUST COME UP AND SHARE YOUR NAMES, BECAUSE WE WANT TO KNOW WHO IS HERE.
COME UP TO THEMICAND SAY YOUR NAME. THIS IS YOUR CITYT' COUNCIL,
SO -- >> JASON. >> I'M DYLAN, I'M A SENIOR.
>> CARLOS, JUNIOR. >> FEDERICO, A JUNIOR. >> I'M A SENIOR.
>> I'M JORGE RAMIREZ, I'M A JUNIOR. >> BEN, SOPHOMORE.
>> JOSE, SENIOR. >> JOEL, JUNIOR. >> PABLO, JUNIOR.
>> MY NAME IS KAYLA. I'M A JUNIOR. >> MY NAME IS HOLLY.
I'M A SENIOR. >> VIAGRAN: 48 TEAMS, I BELIEVE, FROM SAN ANTONIO, SOUTH TEXAS, KANSAS, MEXICO, AND REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS COMPETED IN THIS RACE, THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPETITIVE RACE IN HISTORY AT THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE ACADEMY ON THE TRACK. SO THERE WE ARE, THEY ARE OUT THERE.
THERE'S THE CAR. NUMBER 263. THESE ARE THE STUDENTS THAT DID THE INCREDIBLE JOB. INNOVATION, JUST ENTHUSIASM AND THEY WON OVERALL.
I'M GOING TO LET REBECCA COME UP TO THE MICAND SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE
EVENT AND HOW WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING IT NEXT YEAR. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. WE ARE VERY EXCITED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DONE THIS. THESE ARE OUR -- 2017. WE BROUGHT IT TO SAN ANTONIO AND WHAT THIS IS, IT IS A -- THESE STUDENTS DESIGN, BUILD AND DRIVE THESE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, CULMINATING IN TWO 60-MINUTE ENDURANCE HEATS. IT STARTED IN 2017 WITH SIX LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND NOW WE HAVE GROWN TO OVER 250 STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, IN MEXICO CITY. WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT OUR PARTNERS, FIRST AND FORMOST FROM THE BEGINNING, OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS, TOYOTA TEXAS, THEN INTERNATIONAL YOU ALSO SEE THE SANTANA GROUP IS HERE AS WELL, AS WELL AS ADRIAN LOPEZ, WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS ALAMO. HE DOUBLES AS A FABULOUS EMCEE AT EVENTS.
PLEASE, WE JUST APPRECIATE T THEM.
THIS WAS TRULY A COMMUNITY EVENT AND ON BEHALF OF THE SOTEXFOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS, AND OUR CHAIRWOMAN, WE ARE SO PROUD THIS SUCCESS HAPPENED AND WE CONGRATULATE
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THESE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN CHAM CHAMPIONS, LIKE UNDEFEATED, PRACTICALLY. BUT I'M GOING TO LET THEIR TEACHER, MR. FOREST HAWTHORNE, COME AND SHARE. THIS ALSO WOULD NOT HAVE STARTED WITHOUT THE GREAT VISION AND INSPIRATION OF MR. BOB FRONZ, WHO BROUGHT THIS FROM CALIFORNIA TO SANANTONIO. WITH THAT, FOREST? >> GOOD MORNING.
HOW Y'ALL DOING? YEAH, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, ALAMO CITY, ELECTROTHONRACING IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE KIDS. WE HAVE BLOWN IT UP.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE AN ACTUAL RACE SERIES, WE HAVE FOUR LOCAL RACES AT THE SCHOOLS, WE HAD THE ACE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WE HOSTED AT THE SAPD CO ACADEMY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
IT WAS THE BEST, LARGEST AND SAFEST TRACK WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF RACING IN ALL OUR YEARS OF RACING, INCLUDING TRAVELING ABROAD. IT REALLY WAS PERFECT.
THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE CADETS, I MEAN, IT WAS A GAME CHANGER FOR US. IT WAS AMAZING. IT WAS SO COOL, NORMALLY IT'S MY JOB TO SET UP THE VOLUNTEERS TO RUN FLAGS AND KIND OF HELP RUN THE ACTUAL EVENT. HERE, I HAD CADETS WHO ALREADY HAD RADIOS, THEY WERE GOOD TO GO, THEY WERE IN UNIFORM, THEY HAD THE WHOLE THING WORKED.
IT WAS REALLY COOL JUST TO HAVE THAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BUT JUST IN GENERAL, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS WHOLE PROGRAM.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SEEING ONE OF THESE RACES HAPPEN, WHERE YOU SEE THESE KIDS COME TOGETHER AND THEY STRUGGLE. STUFF BREAKS. CARS BREAK DOWN, THEY BLOW TIRES, THEY BREAK AXLES, AND YOU SEE THEM GET BACK IN THE PIT AND THEY GOT TO PUT THEIR HEADS TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE MAKE THIS THING WORK AND GET BACK OUT THERE.
AND THAT'S THE KIND OF VALUES, THE KIND OF SKILLS, WE WANT TO SEE OUR KIDS LEARN. WHEN YOU COME OUT TO ONE OF THESE RACES, YOU REALLY SEE IT HAPPEN. IT IS LITERALLY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD AS FAR AS EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS FOR THE MODERN DAY, WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO BE GOING STRAIGHT INTO COLLEGE OR GOING INTO THE INDUSTRY OR GOING TO BE BUSINESS OR ENTREPRENEURS, THEY LEARN ALL THESE SKILLS, NOT JUST DRIVING THE CAR BUT ALSO BUILDING THE CAR, MAINTAINING THE CAR. WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT RUN OUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT. MAKING SURE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY KNOW ABOUT THE EVENT. IT REALLY IS A 360 DEGREE VIEW OF A STUDENT WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD AND TRYING TO GIVE THESE KIDS SKILLS FOR. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ALSO THE FOUNDATION STAFF MEMBER, CECILY, AND ALL OUR VOLUNTEER AN S AND HOPPER, WHO CAN'T HIDE. HE'S IN THE PITS WITH ALL THE STUDENTS. THE SUPERINTENDENT IS HERE, VERY, VERY PROUD.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> I WANTED THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SEE ALL THE DECISIONS WE MAKE UP HERE REGARDING STEM, REGARDING CLIMATE ACTION CHANGE, REGARDING OUR YOUTH. THIS IS A RESULT OF YOUR WORK HERE AND YOUR DECISIONS HERE, AND YOUR COMMITTEE WORK. WILL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, FOR BEING THE EXAMPLE AND WITNESS TO THE REST OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TOO, BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S A TARGET ON Y'ALL'S BACK FOR NEXT YEAR. SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
LOT OF JUNIORS. SENIORS, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER? >> ROCHA GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING UP BOB FRONZ. HE WAS VERY SPECIAL. I WAS ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIM, I WAS AN ADVISOR TO THE SOUTHWEST ENGINEERING TEAM. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS BUT I HAVE A PASSION FOR ENGINEERING ANDAEROSPACE SINCE I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IT'S KIND OF THAT HIDDEN THING. SO I WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH THE SOUTHWEST TEAM TO THE SHELL E ECOMARATHON. THAT IS A LIFE GOAL TO BRING THAT TO SAN ANTONIO. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD BE FOR OUR STUDENTS. DURING THE RACE, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTION AND WE WERE LIKE HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN.
THIS IS GAME-CHANGING FOR OUR STUDENTS. 7 ONE OF THE IRFIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I GOT ON COUNCIL IS ASK ERIK WALSH IF WE COULD HAVE THIS RACE AT THE AL ALAM ALAMODOME. IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, THEN COVID HAPPENED. IT WAS JUST THIS ENTHUSIASM THAT WE SEE WITH THE KIDS.
I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS AT THE ACADEMY.
SO TO GET THERE AND TO SEE ALL THE CADETS PARTICIPATE, TO SEE THAT THE KIDS WERE ON A RACETRACK THAT WAS SAPD, I ALSO HEARD A LOT OF THE KIDS SAY THIS IS SO COOL AND THEY HAD AN INTEREST NOW IN SAPD BECAUSE OF THAT. I WAS LIKE THIS IS A GREAT RECRUITING STRATEGY FOR SAPD AS WELL. SO CONGRATULATIONS.
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I KNOW TOYOTA HAS BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED, THEIR TEAM FROM MEXICO THAT CAME DOWN TO PREP THE STUDENTS AND TO SERVE AS ADVISORS AS WELL. BY THE WAY, THEY HAD THE COOLEST OUTFITS. EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE ONE OF THOSE, THAT THEY HAD.I ALSO WANT TO THANK THEM JUST FOR BEING SO INVOLVED IN ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL.
YOU ALL HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SENIORS. I KNOW YOU ALL ARE GOING TO MISS IT BUT COME BACK AND HELP NEXT YEAR. IF YOU ARE HERE, IF YOU ARE IN SCHOOL HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, YOU ALL CAN ALWAYS BE VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS. CONGRAT CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
CONGRATULATIONS. GET BACK TO WORK. THANK YOU ALL.
CONGRATULATIONS. ALRIGHT. ANOTHER GROUP THAT'S GOT TO GET BACK TO CLASS IS OUR SUPERINTENDENTS IN ALL OF OUR ISDS IN SAN ANTONIO.
LET ME WELCOME THEM UP. WHEREAS ARTICLE 7 OF THE STATE OF TEXAS CONSTITUTION EDUCATION STATES THAT IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH AND MAKE SUITABLE PROVISION TO THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS, THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ALSO STATES THAT ALL CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE THE RIGHT TO A QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TOGETHER WITH THE SAN ANTONIO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS, ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, FACULTY AND STAFF, ARE UNITED IN OUR EFFORTS TO DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY CHILD, RECOGNIZE THAT THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY, OUR STATE AND OUR NATION DEPENDS ON PROVIDING AND DELIVERING A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO ALL STUDENTS, AND WHEREAS THE SAN ANTONIO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS WORK CLOSELY WITH PARENTS, EDUCATORS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DEVELOP AND ENACT IMPACTFUL SUPPORT AND EVENTS THAT SUPPORT INCLUSION, EQUITY AND DIVERSITY IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WHEREAS OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS PROUDLY COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOL LEADERS AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE GREATER BEXAR COUNTY REGION TO SHARE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES, CUTTING EDGE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY-FOCUSED EFFORTS TO MEANINGFULLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO COMMENDS THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF SAN ANTONIO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THEIR STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO SHAPING OUR NEXT GENERATION, GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS MEALS, LEARNING RESOURCES, INTERNET ACCESS, ACTIVITIES FILLED WITH ENRICHMENT AND ENGAGEMENT, HEALTH AND MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT, AND A SAFE AND SECURE AND THRIVING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WITH TOOLS FOR SUCCESS, AS THEY EMBARK ON A FRESH CHAPTER IN THE JOURNEY OF LIFE-LONG LEARNING. NOW THEREFORE, I, RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 15TH, 2025 TO BE SAN ANTONIO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WITH BEST WISHES FOR A SUCCESSFUL NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING
THAT YOU DO FOR OUR STATE OF TEXAS. >> THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I'M REPRESENTING THE SAN ANTONIO AREA EDUCATION FOUNDATION ALONG WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND IT'S USUALLY AROUND THIS TIME WHEN WE HAND IT OVER TO OUR GREAT SUPERINTENDENTS, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEES, AND BOARD DIRECTORS, BUT AT THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO ACTUALLY TAKE A MOMENT TO RAISE THEM UP AND SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK. THAT'S WHAT PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS DO, IS WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IN THE BOARDROOMS, IN THE CLASSROOMS, AND RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE TEACHERS, THE BUS DRIVERS, THAT YOU MENTIONED, MAINTENANCE AND ALSO THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS SAFE.
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS ARE HERE TO NOT JUST RAISE MONEY, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE IS FUNDED AND SUPPORTED AND THAT WE'RE INVESTED IN IT.
FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WE THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE?
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEFORE Y'ALL GO, LET ME JUST ADD, IF I MAY, MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU AND EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN PUBLIC EDUCATION DOES. MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, I WAS A TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS IN THE CITY. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN A CLASSROOM. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SEE THOSE FACES OF CHILDREN LEARNING, SOMETIMES FRUSTRATED. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH OTHER TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND TRUSTEES TO TRY AND PROVIDE THE BEST
[01:10:04]
PUBLIC EDUCATION WE CAN IN THIS CITY. AND I KNOW IT'S A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CHILDREN AND THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE TEACHERS AND ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS AND ALL OF THE SCHOOLS THAT YOU'RE ASSOCIATED WITH. YOUR WORK CAN NEVER REALLY BE APPRECIATED, BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW YOU ALL ARE COMMITTED TO.SO THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL
MEMBER VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR WORKING TOGETHER AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN DISTRICT 3, I'M SURE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES CAN COUNT, TOO, I HAVE FOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND I LOVE THEM ALL, AND THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITIES AND QUIRKS AND DIFFERENT BUILDINGS THAT THEY HAVE, OLD BUILDINGS THAT THEY'RE WORKING OUT OF AND TRYING TO FIGURE DIFFERENT BONDS, AND IT IS JUST AMAZING HOW WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND HOW WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE MISSION THAT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN NEED TO BE FUNDED, THAT THEY NEED TO BE LOOKED AFTER AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.
SO I'M SO GLAD YOU GUYS WERE HERE WHEN WE GOT TO CELEBRATE EAST-CENTRAL.
I KNOW WE HAVE HAD OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT COME IN AND OTHER GROUPS COME IN AND EVEN, I GO OUT TO NORTHEAST AND NORTHSIDE AND I HEAR FROM THEM ALSO, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT IN MY DISTRICT, JUST THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURE WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATING. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING TOGETHER.
I KNOW IT'S THE MIDDLE OF MAY AND I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHERE THE REST OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS ARE, BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, SUPERINTENDENT, AND FOR ALL THOSE THAT WERE HERE EARLIER. CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK, AND THE BOARDS AND TRUSTEES THAT DO THIS FOR ALL THAT GREAT MONEY, NO, THERE'S NO -- THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING. AND THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE SAN ANTONIO FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCIL MEMBER KAUR?
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IT'S SO EXCITING TO HAVE YOU GUYS HERE.
YOU ARE TRULY THE REAL SUPER HEROES AND YOUR WORK AS WE GO INTO THIS NEXT YEAR IS ANL GOING TO GET TOUGHER. THAT'S WHY THE LEADERS FROM THE FOUNDATION, THE WORK YOU ALL DO, IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN PROVIDING WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT TRULY NEED IT AND OUR TEACHERS, REALLY MOVING THEM TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD LEADERS THAT ARE HERE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THAT IS A VERY TOUGH JOB THAT YOU ALL ARE TAKING ON, BUT WHAT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE IS THAT YOU HAVE A MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE THAT RECOGNIZES THAT ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES YOU ALL FACE IN YOUR SCHOOLS IS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ALONE, AND THAT WE WANT TO WALK WITH YOU SIDE BY SIDE TO REALLY ADDRESS HOW CAN WE FIX THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE BUILT FOR OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITIES AND THAT YOU ALL CANNOT SOLELY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING ALL OF THE POVERTY CHALLENGES YOU HAVE BEEN TASKED TO DO.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT AND COMMITTED TO BUILDING A FUTURE SAN ANTONIO THAT'S REVOLVING AROUND OUR KIDS AND EXCELLENCE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF WHICH ZIP CODE OR WHERE THEY ARE BEING SERVED BY YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. WILL
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO?
>> CASTILLO: JUST TO ADD ON TO THE THANKS ANDGRATITUDE, WE HAVE FIVE SCHOOLS AND WE KNOW THE WORK YOU AND YOUR BOARDS CONDUCT IS ENSURING WE HAVE A BETTER FUTURE FOR SAN ANTONIO YOUTH. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL BEING THE SHEPHERD OF OUR FUTURE AND IT TAKES A VILLAGE. AS FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED, WE ARE HERE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE THE SERVICES WORKED THERE FOR ROUGHLY SIX YEARS PRIOR TO RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
I WANT TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR ALL THEY CONTINUE TO DO.
THANK YOU FOR LEADING WITH COMPASSION AND CARE AND JUST ALWAYS BEING EVERYWHERE IN COMMUNITY. IT'S JUST, WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU CONTINUE TO DO. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER GAVITO?
>> GAVITO: I ALSO WANTED TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK YOU ALL DO IN THE VARIOUS POSITIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE. YOUR WORK IS LITERALLY SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO. I ECHO A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE SAID. I KNOW IT'S HARD, THE DAYS ARE TOUGH, WE ARE ALL AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE ARE EXHAUSTED.
BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY, Y'ALL WAKE UP AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY SO WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY BUT ALSO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE AND
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OUR COUNTRY. I DON'T THINK YOUR WORK GETS RECOGNIZED ENOUGH.IT GETS TREATED AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO AS PARENTS AND CIVIC LEADERS. THANK YOU.
WE WILL HAVE YOUR BACK AT ALL TIMES. THANK YOU.
WILL WE DO HAVE OUR LEADERSHIP ALSO FROM THE SALVATION ARMY HERE.
LET ME CALL THEM UP AS I READ THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION. THE WHEREAS THE NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK WAS FIRST DECLARED BY PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER IN 1954 IN RECOGNITION OF THE SALVATION ARMY'S NEARLY 75 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE ACROSS AMERICA, SINCE IT FIRST ESTABLISHED ITS AMERICAN ROOTS IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1878, AND WHEREAS NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK TAKES PLACE FROM MAY 12TH TO 18TH, 2025, NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES BUT ALL OVER THE GLOBE, TODAY THE SALVATION ARMY IS AT WORK WITHIN 132 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AND IN JUST IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2020, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED MORE THAN 155 MILLION MEALS, 1.6 MILLION NIGHTS OF SHELTER, 6.6 MILLION FOOD BOXES AND EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL CARE TO MORE THAN 857,000 PEOPLE, AND WHEREAS THE SALVATION ARMY WITH ITS MOTTO, DOING THE MOST GOOD, AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF GENEROUS DONORS, DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, SERVES ITS MISSION RESPONDING ON THE FRONT LINES OF DISASTERS AROUND THE GLOBE, PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND ID IN TF GREAT DIFFICULTIES, AND WHEREAS WITH MORE THAN 7500 CENTERS OF OPERATION IN THE UNITED STATES, THE SALVATION ARMY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE AFFLICTED BY HUNGER, DESTITUTION, DISEASE, ADDICTION AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS, WHEREVER IT EXISTS, MOTIVATED BY THE THE ORGANIZATION HAS BECOME PART OF THE AMERICAN STORY, CARING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP AND WHEREAS FOR NEARLY 160 YEARS THE NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY CONTINUES IN ACTION IN VIRTUALLY EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD AS ONE OF THE FEW ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORKS ON THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL. WE HONOR THE ARMY OF SELFLESS VOLUNTEERS AND BENEFICIARIES ALL WHO EMBODIED THE MESSAGE OF GOD'S HEALING AND HOPE.
THEREFORE I RON NIRENBERG, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 12-18, 2025 TO BE NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, IT IS OUR PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY AND WE ARE HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, NATIONAL SALVATION ARMY WEEK WAS FIRST DECLARED IN 1954 BY PRESIDENT EISENHOWER AND THIS WEEK HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO RECOGNIZE THE SALVATION ARMY'S FAITHFUL SERVICE ACROSS OUR COUNTRY. THE SALVATION ARMY HAS SERVED SAN ANTONIO FOR 136 YEARS, AND AS WE CELEBRATE OUR PAST, WE ALSO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A TOUCH ON THE FUTURE. WE PROVIDE HOPE AND HELP IN MANY WAYS SUCH AS INTRODUCING CHILDREN TO CAREER PATHS THEY NEVER IMAGINED, FROM PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO PROVIDING AFTER-SCHOOL CARE FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN.
WE HELP SENIORS COMBAT LONELINESS AND FOOD INSECURITY AND WE ARE READY TO OFFER COMFORT AND ASSISTANCE IN THE EVENT OF DISASTER.
WE HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING ALONGSIDE MANY OF YOU THOSE HERE, AND WE ALWAYS INVITE YOU TO OUR FACILITIES FOR A TOUR AND FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, WE HAVE THEM YEAR ROUND. WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOU ARE A PART OF THE HOPE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE TO INDIVIDUALS IN THIS
COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU ALL VERY MUCH. BRAD? >> I WANT TO ADD ONE MORE THING. OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE OF OUR MOBILE FEEDING UNITS SET UP IN FRONT OF THE CATHEDRAL FROM 11 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO BE PASSING OUT BOTTLED WATER, COLD GATORADE AND SNACKS AND THEY ARE FREE. WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO
COME AND STOP BY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO WORK ALONG YOUR SIDE FOR SO MANY YEARS.
I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN AND SO THIS YEAR I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE 12 HOURS AND SO I WAS ABLE TO HELP BRING THAT
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SPIRIT OF SAN ANTONIO ACROSS THE CITY. SO THANK YOU ALL TORE CONTINUING TO DO THAT BUT ALSO FOR THE SHOE-IN. I KNOW THE KIDS GET SO EXCITED WHEN THEY ARE ABLE TO PICK OUT THEIR OWN SHOE AND YOU HAVE VOLUNTEERS THAT COME AND TRY THEM ON. THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THAT.I DON'T THINK WE COULD SAY ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR FOOD PANTRY AND THE WAY YOU HELP FAMILIES THAT ARE JUST IN NEED OF EVERYDAY SUPPLIES. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING SALVATION ARMY WEEK FOR YEARS TO COME. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK AND SAY I'M HONORED TO HONOR THE CENTER ACROSS THE STREET AND WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR WOMEN AND FEMALES AND CHILDREN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WORK. WE REALLY NEED IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO THAT SO OFTEN GOES UNSEEN IN THESE DISASTERS.
WE REALLY RELY ON YOU AND I DON'T THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW HOW MUCH, SO THANK YOU FOR LIFTING UP OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. LASTLY, LET ME HAVE THE FOLKS FROM OUR BICYCLE ADVOCACY COMMUNITIES COME ON UP INCLUDING ACTIVATE SA AND SO MANY OTHERS. WHEREAS DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2025, THE ALAMO AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION AND SO MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WILL OBSERVE NATIONAL BIKE MONTH TO PROMOTE EFFICIENT AND DESIRABLE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION AND EXERCISE AND RECREATION. AND WHEREAS TODAY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ENGAGE IN BICYCLING AND WALKING AS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND FORM OF TRANSPORTATION, REGULAR FITNESS AND QUALITY FAMILY TIME.
WHEREAS CYCLING, WALKING AND WHEELING ARE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES THAT CAN HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND WHEREAS CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME TO THE BIKE WALK AND ROLL RALLY, I MAYOR NIRENBERG DO HERE BY PROCLAIM MAY 2025 TO BE NATIONAL BIKE MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE NOT JUST FOR WAITING THROUGH TODAY BUT FOR THE MANY YEARS WE ACTUALLY GOT A BICYCLE
PLAN. THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ACTIVATE SA.
HAPPY BIKE MONTH. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU DO TO MAKE OUR CITY MORE BIKABLE. WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW PLAN, VISION ACTION PLAN AND THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY, AND DEFINITELY A SHOUT OUT TO CAT AND THE TRANSPORTATION TEAM FOR LEADING THOSE EFFORTS. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR EVER EXPANDING GREENWAY SYSTEM AND THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE WHO CAN'T BE HERE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME.
THIS YEAR ALONE, THREE CYCLISTS WERE KILLED ON OUR ROADWAYS.
WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITY IS TRULY BIKABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES TO MAKE SURE OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS ARE COMING HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THEIR LIVES ARE NOT ALTERED BY COMING OHM JULY INJURED. THESE PLANS AND POLICIES HAVE CEMENTED GREAT VISIONS FOR OUR CITY. WE'RE CALLING ON YOU AND INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS TO MAKE THESE VISIONS A REALITY.
MY HOPE IS IN FUTURE BIKE MONTHS WE'LL BE CELEBRATING SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES FROM THESE PLANS AND POLICIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE THAT, AGAIN, WE HAVE A TRULY BIKABLE CITY THAT IS SAFE, COMFORTABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP A MEMBER FROM THE [INAUDIBLE]
INITIATIVE TO SAY A QUICK WORD. >> MY NAME IS SYLVIA AND I'VE BEEN RIDING A BIKE SINCE I CAN REMEMBER. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO ME. ALSO I'VE BEEN RIDING WITH THE GOLDEN ROLLERS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE GOLDEN ROLLERS IS THE SENIOR BIKE GROUP THAT WE RODE HERE THIS MORNING. WE ENJOY BIKING THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL AREAS OF OUR CITY.
SAN ANTONIO HAS BEAUTIFUL TRAILS. WE RIDE THROUGH BRACKENRIDGE PARK, THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS BY THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, DOWN THE BEAUTIFUL TRAILS BOON THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AND THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN AREAS. LITTLE IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BIKE
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SAFETY ON OUR STREETS. WE NEED DEDICATED BIKE LANES, SIGNAGE AND ESPECIALLY MOTORIST EDUCATION TO WATCH FOR CYCLISTS.TWO WEEKS AGO A YOUNG ADULT ON HIS BIKE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT.
HE IS CURRENTLY STILL IN THE HOSPITAL AND EVEN HAD HIS BIKE STOLEN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY IN WHICH ALL CYCLISTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY SAFELY. WE ENJOY OUR WEEKLY RIDES, BUT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RIDE, ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR CYCLISTS. TOMORROW IS BIKE TO WORKDAY SO PLEASE WE JUST ASK THAT YOU WATCH OUT FOR OUR CYCLISTS. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS MATTHEW, I'M THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNER, A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY THAT OVERSEES BEXAR, COMAL, GUADALUPE AND SOON THE ENTIRETY OF KENDALL AND THE EARN PORTION OF MEDINA COUNTY, SO THE ENTIRE REGION.
WE ARE TRULY HONORED THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS MAKING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR BIKE MONTH AS WELL AS BIKE TO WORKDAY. THERE WILL BE 13 ENERGIER STATIONS, 12 IN SAN ANTONIO, ONE IN SEGUIN. WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU ALL, IF YOU CAN'T BIKE TO WORK, FIND A SHORT TRIP YOU CAN REPLACE YOUR VEHICLE WITH A BIKE. 52% OF ALL TRIPS IN THE U.S. ARE THREE MILES OR LESS.
THAT'S ABOUT A 15-MINUTE BIKE RIDE. THE FIRST THING WE ALWAYS HEAR IS MY WORK IS TOO FAR, I CAN'T BIKE THAT. THERE'S SO MANY OTHER TRIPS WE TAKE THAT WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONSIDER REPLACING WITH THAT CYCLING TRIP. FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST WAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR CITY. I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK ALL THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR AS WELL, FOR THE WORK AND THE SAN~ANTONIO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AS WELL FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT CYCLING, TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND NETWORK AND TRANSIT PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THERE HAS BEEN GREAT WORK DONE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND GREAT TEAM WORK TO ALL OF YOU AS YOU STAY UNITED TOWARDS THE CAUSE WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING ON FOR TOO LONG. LET ME TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.
>> PELÁEZ: SO I'M A CYCLISTS. I DON'T DO ROAD BIKE CYCLE, I DO A LOT OF MOUNTAIN BIKING JUST LIKE JEFF COYLE DOES AND I WANT TO CALL HIM OUT AND LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A CHAMPION FOR CYCLING IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. HE'S MADE THIS ONE OF HIS MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES.
AND IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANYBODY TO THANK FOR MAKING SURE NONE OF US FORGET HOW IMPORTANT CYCLING IS, THAT'S JEFF COYLE. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS ALL IN. JOEY AND WILL AND THE REST OF YOU, YOU GUYS ARE OUTSIDE THE CITY HALL, FOUR WALLS OF THE CITY HALL, BUT OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, METRO HEALTH, THEY ARE VERY DEDICATED TO MAKING SURE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS A CITY THAT'S SAFE FOR CYCLISTS. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO. WHAT IS IT, BETWEEN 2020 AND '24 WE HAD 18 CYCLISTS KILLED. AND ALREADY IN 2025 THIS YEAR WE'VE HAD THREE CYCLISTS WHO HAVE DIED. ALL TOO OFTEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF STATISTICS AND SO LET ME JUST REMIND YOU ALL, DR. KIYR US WAS A SAN ANTONIAN AND LEFT BEHIND A FAMILY WHO MOURNS HIM. THESE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND HUSBANDS AND WIVES AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO BE BETTER. AND UNDER THIS MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND PREVIOUS COUNCILS, I'M PROUD TO TELL YOU WE HAVE EXPANDED THE BIKE NETWORK. WE HAVE TAKEN SERIOUSLY THE COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM AND THE TRANSIT-ORIENTED AND OUR BIKE NETWORK PLAN, IF ANYTHING THAT'S EVIDENCE OF OUR DEDICATION TO MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE MORE TRAGEDIES LIKE THE DOCTOR AND THE ONE SUFFERED BY TITO BRADSHAW. THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE IN AUSTIN IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHO THINK DEDICATING STREET LANES TO CYCLING IS SOMEHOW, YOU KNOW, BAD. AND I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME OR CRAYONS TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WHY THEY ARE WRONG, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THEY ARE WRONG.
THEY ARE 100% WRONG. AND I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT UP HERE ON THIS DAIS WE DON'T
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BUY INTO THAT SILLINESS. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO ME AND ANYTHING WILL LONG SUPPORTS I GET BEHIND BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS GOOD FOR SAN ANTONIO.THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE DEFINITELY MOVED THE NEEDLE A LOT AND I WILL NEVER TAKE A CHANCE TO NOT TALK ABOUT QUICK LANE BIKE STRATEGIES.
I'M WORKING ON ON CINCINNATI AVENUE WEST OF I-10 TO ZARZAMORA BECAUSE WE HAVE A CONSTITUENT WHO WENT AND MEASURED THE STREET AND WE HAVE WE'VE ALREADY SUBMITTED THAT PROJECT TO PUBLIC WORKS AND HOPEFULLY THAT SHOULD BE INSTALLED SOON. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
I DID IN HONOR OF BIKE MONTH BUY A NEW BIKE THIS WEEK SO I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT, BUT I'M GOING TO BIKE TO WORK TOMORROW SO I HOPE HE WILL JOIN ME IN DOING THAT.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANKS, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> COURAGE: I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY. I THINK WE'VE MADE SO MUCH STRIDE IN SAN ANTONIO AND, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS CURRENT COUNCIL AND WITH THE UPCOMING COUNCIL, WE GOT TO KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE GAS SOUNDS KIND OF WEIRD ANALOGY TO SAY RIGHT NOW. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THE URGENCY ON US TO YOU PUT THOSE PLANS INTO ACTION. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A LONG TIME ABOUT THE COMPLETE BIKE PATH AROUND WOODLAWN LAKE AND IT'S TIME TO STOP TALKING AND START DOING. I KNOW WE ALL FEEL THAT TOGETHER.
WE'LL JUST NEED TO KEEP THE HEAT ON. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. WE HAVE THE CHARGE, WE'VE GOT TO PEDAL HARDER.
THANKS, Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE] AND LASTLY, IF YOU WILL ALLOW ME, I AM GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER KAUR TO RECOGNIZE A SPECIAL GUEST HERE WITH US IN RECOGNITION OF A GREAT COMMUNITY SERVANT WE LOST
NAMED SONNY VALDEZ. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU SO MUCH. MS. VALDEZ, DO YOU WANT TO COME UP TO THE FRONT? MS. VALDEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR AND SONNY'S [INAUDIBLE] AND HE WAS A GULF WAR VETERAN AND BLIND ADVOCATE, ON OUR DISABILITY COMMISSION AND ALSO WAS A HILARIOUS HUMAN.
HE WAS A COMEDIAN. SO WE'LL BE HONORING HIM WITH A COMEDY SHOW NEXT FRIDAY. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR THE BLIND COMMUNITY IN SAN ANTONIO.
HIS WORK WAS SO IMPORTANT. THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH HIM, HE WAS WORKING WITH THE BRACKENRIDGE PARK COMMUNITY GROUP TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS SIGNS SHOWING FOLKS WHERE WE COULD ACCESS THE BATHROOMS AND HOW ALL OF OUR PARKS AND COMMUNITY SPACES COULD BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE HIM AND EVERYTHING THAT HE DID AND YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WE'RE TREMENDOUSLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND KNOW THAT YOUR STRENGTH WILL HELP GET YOU THROUGH THIS TIME.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK DR. VILLARREAL FROM RIDE SHARE TEXAS, RIDE SHARE CONNECT TEXAS, WHO WAS ABLE TO TRANSPORT AND BRING YOU HERE TODAY AS WELL AS THE BROKEN WARRIORS ANGELS WHO IS GOING TO BE PAYING FOR SONNY'S FUNERAL AND SUPPORTING THE FAMILY. THIS IS A ORGANIZATION SONNY LOVED AND HELPED.
JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHINGYOU ALL HAVE DONE. WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION OF MY HUSBAND, SONNY, VALDEZ. HE LOVED THE COMMUNITY AND LOVED HELPING EVERYONE FOR THE DISABLED AND FOR THE BLIND COMMUNITY. AND I REALLY -- IT'S AN HONOR THAT YOU GUYS ARE RECOGNIZING MY HUSBAND AND HE LOVED BEING PART OF THE BOARD AND ATTENDING THE MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING. I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU AND HE INTRODUCED ME TO A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE HERE IN DISTRICT 1.
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SO I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND IT'S AN HONOR. THANK YOU ON ABOVE OF MY HUSBAND.THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> VILLAGÓMEZ: THANK. >> VILLAGÓMEZ:
>> KAUR: THANK YOU. >> GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. ITEM 4. GOT TO WAKE UP OUR IGR TEAM
OVER THERE. >> CLERK: ITEM NUMBER 4. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: NOT AS BAD AS THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARING THOUGH, SALLY THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> CLERK: A BRIEFING ON THE 89TH STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> BASURTO: GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SALLY BASURTO FOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. TODAY MARKS THE 122ND DAY OF THE 89TH STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 140 DAYS, SO WE ARE DEFINITELY ALMOST THERE AT THE FINISH LINE FOR THE REGULAR SESSION.
THERE IS STILL, HOWEVER, A LITTLE BIT OVER TWO WEEKS AND A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN THOSE TWO WEEKS. SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN. ON THE HOUSE SIDE OF THE OPERATIONS, THE HOUSE IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO GET THEIR BILLS PASSED OUT.
THERE ARE SEVERAL DEADLINES THAT THE HOUSE IS LOOKING TO THIS WEEK AND ONE OF THEM HAS PASSED. THIS PAST MONDAY ON MAY 12 WAS THE LAST DAY FOR HOUSE COMMITTEES TO REPORT HOUSE BILLS. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR HOUSE TO CONSIDER THE SECOND READING HOUSE BILLS. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MAY 24, THAT IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE HOUSE COMMITTEES TO REPORT SENATE BILLS.
ON WARD TO MAY 27, THAT IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER SECOND READING SENATE BILLS. AND FINALLY JUNE 2 IS THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION, SINE DIE, HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT HEARD YET WHETHER THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SESSION SO WE WILL REMAIN VIGILANT AND REPORT BACK ON THAT UPDATE. LET ME BE VERY CLEAR AND BLUNT. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF TIME LEFT.
THE HOUSE IS FURIOUSLY WORKING THROUGH THEIR HOUSE WORK AND IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MANY MORE BILLS THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO PASS OUT.
AND KEEPING IN MIND THERE'S STILL A LOT OF TIME LEFT FOR SENATE BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED LEADING TO THE JUNE 2 DEADLINE. AS WELL COMMITTEES ARE STILL PASSING BILLS OUT AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY. TODAY THE HOUSE WE ANTICIPATE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH AT LEAST MIDNIGHT AS THEY HAVE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL NIGHTS. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF PRIORITY BILLS THAT REMAIN OUTSTANDING THAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAVE MADE PRIORITY BILLS. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. THESE LAST TWO AND A HALF WEEKS, IN MY OPINION, ARE THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE DAYS OF THE SESSION BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING.
THEY ARE WORKING AGAINST THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PRIORITY BILLS GET DONE AND THERE IS CONSENSUS IN BOTH CHAMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PRIORITY BILLS GET OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING AGAINST THE CLOCK AT THIS TIME.
LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN INTO FISCAL AND REVENUE BILLS. YOU WILL RECALL HB 19, THIS WAS A BILL THAT JEFF COYLE BRIEFED THE COUNCIL A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
THIS BILL WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX-SUPPORTED DEBT BY THE CITY. IT WOULD IMPACT OUR VOTER APPROVED BONDS AND OUR COS. HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, IT WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE AND LEFT PENDING. WE STRONGLY OPPOSED THIS BILL. WE ENGAGED OUR COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS AND IN OUR EFFORT TO OPPOSE THIS BILL THERE WAS, AGAIN IN MY OPINION, A LOT OF SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS DURING THOSE WEEKS. AND SO WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT
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THIS HAS PERMANENTLY STALLED THE BILL. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH SENATE WORK DONE, WE ARE REMAINING VIGILANT TO MAKE SURE HB 19 LANGUAGE DOES NOT GET LATCHED ON TO ANOTHER BILL, A SENATE BILL. AND THERE WAS NO SENATE COMPANION SO THEY DO HAVE WORK TO DO ON THEIR END IF THEY PLAN TO DO THAT, BUT AGAIN I COMMIT TO YOU OUR VIGILANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CATCH ANY OF THOSE HICCUPS. DANGEROUS DOGS BILL, GREAT NEWS.OUR DOGS BILL THAT REP LUJAN HAS BEEN SPONSORED HAS BEEN CHUGGING THROUGH THE PROCESS. HE'S BEEN VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF THE COUNCILWOMAN HAS DONE IN THE CITY AND LOCALLY AND OFTEN TOUTS THAT WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WHAT CAN BE DONE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. SO REP LUJAN CONTINUES TO PUSH THIS THROUGH. IT PASSED COMMITTEE, IT IS PLACED ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR FOR TONIGHT. SO ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE COIN, WE HOPE THAT THIS BILL WILL GET HEARD, BUT I WANT TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS AGAIN BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS A LONG LIST OF BILLS TO GET TO AND THIS BILL IS LISTED TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF TODAY'S LIST. ON THE SENATE SIDE, SENATOR MENENDEZ'S 155, IT WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE, LEFT PENDING. WE ARE LEANING ON SENATOR MENENDEZ TO CONTINUE PUSHING HIS BILL, ESPECIALLY SIMILAR LANGUAGE TO REP LUJAN'S 2806.
UNDER THE LOCAL CONTROL BILLS SECTION, HB 5356, THIS BILL PROHIBITS HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES, EXCLUDES REGULATIONS IN PLACE BEFORE OCTOBER 1 OF '24 THAT INCLUDES VETERINARY CARE, CITY INSPECTIONS OR STATE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS OR RELATED TO THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE DURING WHICH THE ACTIVITY MAY TAKE PLACE. THIS WOULD PLACE. SB 33 BY SENATOR CAMPBELL PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT ENTITIES FROM USING TAXPAYER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ABORTION ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR OBTAINING AN ABORTION. IT PASSED THE SENATE, IT PASSED HOUSE COMMITTEE, SO THIS BILL CAN STILL ADVANCE AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S A PRIORITY BILL WITH A LOW BILL NUMBER. FURTHER UNDER LOCAL CONTROL BILLS, SB 2858 BY CREIGHTON, THIS IS ESSENTIALLY AN EXPANSION BILL OF LAST SESSION'S HB 2127 OFTEN CALLED THE DEATH STAR BILL. THIS BILL AS WRITTEN REMAINS VERY VAGUE AND VERY FLAWED LIKE HB 2127 FROM LAST SESSION.
IT ESSENTIALLY EXPANDS THE AREAS IN WHICH CITIES CAN BE PREEMPTED FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING ORDINANCES IN PARTICULAR SECTIONS OF THE ELECTIONS CODE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. UNFORTUNATELY IT PASSED THE SENATE.
IT WAS HEARD IN HOUSE COMMITTEE, LEFT PENDING JUST THIS WEEK.
THIS BILL SAW AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF OPPOSITION AT THIS WEEK'S HEARING.
SEVERAL COUNTIES AND CITIES LARGE AND SMALL COMMUNITIES TESTIFIED IN STRONG OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL. OF COURSE, WE OPPOSED IT ALONG WITH OUR OTHER CITY PARTNERS AND TML, AND HOPEFULLY ENOUGH CONCERNS WERE RAISED AT THE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AND HOPEFULLY IT IS AGAIN LEFT PENDING, BUT WE'RE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY.
PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BILLS, HB 3594, WE SUPPORTED THIS BILL.
THIS IS THE SA FIRE RETIRERY HEALTH CARE FUND BILLS. IT GOOD NEWS, PASSED THE HOUSE, REFERRED TO SENATE AND VOTED FAVORABLY JUST THIS WEEK ON MAY 14.
SENATOR MENENDEZ IS HELPING TO USHER IT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND READY TO CARRY IT ON WARD. MISCELLANEOUS BILLS, YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH HB 150.
THIS IS A PRIORITY BILL FOR THE GOVERNOR. THIS ESTABLISHES THE CYBER COMMAND AT UTSA. WE REMAIN IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH OUR UTSA
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PARTNERS. THEY REMAIN VERY HOPEFUL. THEY ASKED ME TO DELIVER THAT THERE ARE ONGOING DISCUSSION TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THIS INITIATIVE AND THERE IS FUNDING IN THE BUDGET TO ESTABLISH THIS INITIATIVE.SO WE'LL SEE MORE HOPEFULLY NEXT WEEK, SEE HOW THIS EVOLVES FURTHER, BUT AS A GOVERNOR PRIORITY, THIS WILL CONTINUE TO ADVANCE IN THE DAYS TO COME.
SB 1173, WE SUPPORTED THIS BILL. THIS INCREASES COMPETITIVE BIDDING THRESHOLD FROM 50,000 TO 100,000. THE STATUS, IT PASSED IN THE SENATE AND PASSED THIRD READING IN THE HOUSE. ESSENTIALLY THIS BILL INCREASES THE BIDDING THRESHOLD FOR FOREMOST SLICES FROM 50,000 TO 100,000. THIS CREATES EFFICIENCIES IN PROCUREMENT PROCESSES BY EXPEDITEING PROCUREMENTS FOR SMALLER VALUE PROCUREMENTS. MISCELLANEOUS BILLS, HB 167, I BRIEFED YOU ON THIS EARLY AND OFTEN IN THE SESSION. THIS IS THE OVERARCHING DEI BILL THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED OUR DEI OFFICE OPERATIONS AND PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS. IN FEBRUARY 27TH WHEN IT WAS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE, THE BILL WAS NEVER HEARD. SO IT WAS ESSENTIALLY LEFT IN COMMITTEE, IT NEVER MOVED AND SO IT'S BY ALL, YOU KNOW, OPINIONS STALLED THERE AND WE HOPE THAT WE SAW THE END OF THAT ONE AT LEAST FOR THIS SESSION. SB 689, ANOTHER DEI BILL THAT HAS SEEN SOME MOVEMENT, PROHIBITING DEI OFFICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
UNFORTUNATELY IT PASSED THE SENATE, PASSED HOUSE COMMITTEE JUST THIS WEEK ON MAY 12, AND SO WE'RE KEEPING A REALLY CLOSE EYE ON THIS BILL.
ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BILLS, SB 872, THIS IS A BILL THAT WE SUPPORTED.
INCREASING PENALTY OR A BURGLAR OF A VEHICLE IF THE OFFENSE INCLUDES THE THEFT OF A FIREARM. PASSED THE SENATE AND IT WAS REFERRED TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON 5-10 SO THIS BILL HAS SEEN SOME GOOD MOVEMENT.
SB 38, WE OPPOSED THIS BILL. THIS CHANGES LAWS REGARDING EVICTIONS PROCESSES.
IF THIS BILL WAS TO TO PASS, IT SHORTENS THE TIME FRAME BY WHICH A TENANT CAN BE EVICTED FOR NONPAYMENT AND MODIFIES THE COURT FOR FASTER EVICTION ORDERS.
PASSED THE SENATE, PASSED THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE SB SIDE AND HB PASSED THE COMMITTEE AND IT WAS PLACED ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR. I BELIEVE IT'S STILL ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR TODAY SO IT'S STILL, UNFORTUNATELY, DOES HAVE LIFE.
A COUPLE MORE MISCELLANEOUS BILLS. SB 19, THIS IS PROHIBITING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY A POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FOR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.
THIS OPPOSED THIS BILL, PASSED THE SENATE, REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MARCH 25. SO IT STALLED IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AND NO FURTHER MOVEMENT. SB 1202 BY KING, THIS IS A THIRD-PARTY REVIEW OF DEVELOP DOCUMENTS AND INSPECTIONS INCLUDING HOME BACKUP POWER INSTALLATIONS.
THIS BILL, OF COURSE, WE OPPOSED. THIS BILL DOES NOT IMPACT CPS. IT PASSED THE SENATE, PASSED HOUSE COMMITTEE, AND IT WAS SENT TO CALENDARS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH. SO THIS ONE AS WELL AS THE SENATE BILL STILL HAS LIFE, OF COURSE. BILLS.
SB 464, THIS IS ONE OF THE E-CIGARETTE PROHIBITION BILLS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING. THIS ONE IS BY SENATOR CAMPBELL, PROHIBITS THE SALE OF E-CIGARETTES WITHIN 1,000 FED PRIVATE SCHOOLS. ALLOWS FOR MORE RESTRICTIVE LOCAL REGULATIONS. TO WE SHOULD BE OKAY WITH -- SO WE SHOULD BE OKAY WITH THE ADDITION OF ADDING DAY CARES AND UNIVERSITIES TO THE LOCAL ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, IT DOES INCLUDE THE 50% THRESHOLD THAT WOULD LIKELY -- THAT WE WOULD NEED TO FOLLOW AND/OR ADJUST TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S ORDINANCE.
THAT PARTICULAR PIECE ESSENTIALLY SAYS THAT MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE ADOPTED UNDER THIS BILL DOES NOT APPLY TO A E-DISAGREEMENT RESTALERS HOSPITAL GROSS
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RECEIPTS ARE LESS THAN. >> %. THESE ARE YOUR PHARMACIES AND CVS BILLS. HB 111, THIS AMENDS THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT, SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITING OUR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE EXCEPTION.
WE OPPOSED THIS BILL. IT ESSENTIALLY TIGHTENS UP THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE EXEMPTION IN DIRECTING THE AG TO BE -- LEAN ON THE SIDE OF BEING VERY TRANSPARENT WHETHER DETERMINING IF AND HOW MUCH THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE WOULD APPLY. SO WE OPPOSED THIS BILL. UNFORTUNATELY PASSED THE SENATE. IT'S BEEN RECEIVED IN THE SENATE SO WE'RE WATCHING THIS ONE CLOSELY AS WELL. STILL LIFE TO MANY, MANY OF THESE SENATE BILLS, NATURALLY JUST BECAUSE JUNE 2 IS ABOUT 18 DAYS AWAY.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. MAYOR, IF I MAY, I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SUPPORT AND THE EXPERTISE OF ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS IN THE DEPARTMENT STATE LEDGE LIAISONS AND LEADERSHIP OF CHAIRMAN PELÁEZ AND THE COMMITTEE. THEY HAVE GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TO THEM SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SCENARIOS DURING THE STATE LEDGE SESSION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, MAYOR AS WELL AND YOUR SUPPORT.
THE NEXT TWO AND A HALF WEEKS WE'LL REMAIN VIGILANT AND REPORT BACK AS NEEDED.
IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR THE PRESENTATION.
COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ SERVES AS OUR CHAIR OF OUR IGR COMMITTEE.
COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: THANKS. SALLY, YOU'VE -- I KNOW THESE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS JUST SUCK THE YEARS OUT OF YOUR LIFE SPAN, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND THAT YOUR TEAM DOES. BUT THE UNSUNG HEROES ARE ALSO YOUR FAMILIES WHO DON'T SEE YOU DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND Y'ALL ARE PULLING DOUBLE DUTY BEING MOMS AND WIVES AND DADS AND HUSBANDS DURING --D BEING OUT OF THE FRONT LINES. THAT DOES NOT GO UNSEEN.
THE SECOND THING IS I UNDERSTAND THAT HB 19 IS GOING TO BE DYING ON THE VINE IN ALL LIKELIHOOD. THAT THEY MAY TRY TO TAKE ORNAMENTS ON THAT TREE AND HANG THEM ON OTHER TREES AND THANK YOU FOR BEING VIGILANT AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR ABILITY TO DO STREETS AND SIDEWALKS AND PAY FOR THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE EXPECT US TO PAY FOR, THAT THAT ABILITY CONTINUES TO BE OURS.
THANK YOU FOR OPPOSING THE WAY WE HAVE INSTRUCTED YOU OPPOSING ANYTHING THAT ERODES OUR ABILITY TO MANAGE OUR OWN AFFAIRS AND TO BE A HOME RULE CITY.
WITH REGARDS TO DEI, AND ANDY, THIS MAY BE FOR YOU, THE BILL THAT WAS PROPOSED AND THAT CURRENTLY SEEMS LIKE IT WILL MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE WOULD PROHIBIT THE MAINTENANCE WAS A DEI OF A DEPARTMENT WHICH IS WHAT IT IS, BUT THE SECOND THING IT WOULD PROHIBIT THE ADOPTION OR MAINTAINING THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY, QUOTE UNQUOTE, D EI POLICY. MY QUESTION IS WOULD THAT REQUIRE US TO DISSOLVE THE MAYOR'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN OR THE COMMISSION ON LGBTQ+ AFFAIRS OR OUR DISABILITY COMMISSION OR COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS, BECAUSE THOSE
IMMUTABLE TRAITS, IDENTITY POLITICS -- >> SEGOVIA: OUR BILL IS IT WOULD NOT PROHIBIT. WE WOULD STILL HAVE ALL THE COMMISSIONS YOU TALKED ABOUT. WE WILL OBVIOUSLY KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE ON GONE PARTICULARLY A LOT OF COMPLIANCE ACTIVITY IN THE DEI DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DO FORWARD BECAUSE THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO NOT ONLY
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW BUT DELIVERY OF CITY SERVICES. >> PELÁEZ: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PROHIBITION IS WRITTEN IN SUCH A WAY TO WHERE YOU CAN'T MAINTAIN A DEI OFFICE, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY YOU CAN'T MAINTAIN AN OFFICE THAT
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CARRIES OUT THOSE FUNCTIONS. SO A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME, ANDY, RIGHT?CAN YOU UNPACK THAT FOR ME? >> SEGOVIA: I'M GOING TO ASK LIZ TO GIVE YOU SOME MORE INSIGHT. SHE'S BEEN FOLLOWING IT VERY CLOSELY.
>> THANK YOU, CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE SPECIFICITY WITH THE CURRENT BILL WE'RE ADDRESSING, WE HAD SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT A MORE EXPANSIVE BILL BUT THIS IS MORE NARROW. AND SPECIFICALLY DRILLS DOWN INTO PROHIBITING ACTIVITIES THAT WE WOULDN'T DO ANYWAY BECAUSE THEY ARE PROHIBITED AND THEY ARE ILLEGAL BY OTHER LAW. SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF US TAKING A DEEP DIVE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE LOOK THROUGH WHAT EVENTUALLY IF IT DOES GET PASSED, BUT WITH REGARD TO ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WE'RE DOING, WE WOULD BE IN COMPLIANCE. THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS WE DO HAVE TO LOOK FOR TO BE SURE THERE'S SOME SENSITIVITY REGARDING CERTAIN TRAINING AND OTHER THINGS WHERE COULD REQUIRE MODIFICATION, COULD REQUIRE US TO REVIEW AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE FRAMING IT IN A WAY THAT IS MORE FOCUSED ON WHAT IS ALLOWABLE.
BUT THE ESSENCE OF WHAT THE DEPARTMENT DOES AND THE WAY THAT SAN ANTONIO HAS DONE IT
CAN CONTINUE. >> PELÁEZ: SO [INAUDIBLE] THIS MORE NARROW BILL DOES NOT PROHIBIT US FROM EVEN FORKING AND LIVING UP TO OUR VALUES WHICH IS NOBODY IN THIS ORGANIZATION WILL BE RETALIATED ON THE BASIS OF THESE TRAITS OR RELIGION.
NUMBER TWO, NOBODY WILL BE FIRED, HARASSED ON THE BASIS OF THESE TRAITS.
AND NO. 3, IF ANYBODY MAKES THOSE COMPLAINTS, WE WILL TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND LIVE UP TO OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER EMPLOYMENT LAW DISCRIMINATION RULES, RIGHT?
>> CORRECT. >> PELÁEZ: AND THEN AS FAR AS OTHER, QUOTE UNQUOTE, TRAINING, WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS ON CULTURAL DIFFERENCES OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM THEY HAVE CONTACT IN THE PUBLIC, RIGHT? MENTAL HEALTH DIFFERENCES AND HOW TO APPROACH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, DEPENDING ON
THEIR IMMUTABLE TRAITS. >> WE WILL BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE SERVICES
EXPECTED OF OUR COMMUNITY, YES. >> PELÁEZ: THANK YOU.
THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
I WANT TO ECHO COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ'S COMMENTS THAT WE DO SEE AND REALIZE ALL THE TIME THAT YOU ALL ARE GIVING AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILIES, AWAY FROM HOME LIFE, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF FOR ADVOCATING ON OUR BEHALF, SO THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT POINT. I JUST HAD A COUPLE QUICK COMMENTS.
WE'RE ALL CROSSING OUR FINGERS SB 19 DOESN'T GO ANY FURTHER.
ALSO TOO I'M GLAD WE'RE MAKING HEAD BILL ON HB 2806, THE DANGEROUS DOGS BILL.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME UPDATED ON THAT AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN CROSS THE FINISH LINE IN A SUCCESSFUL WAY. THERE ARE SEVERAL GREAT BILLS I'M HOPING WILL PASS, BUT THERE'S ALSO SOME ALARMING BILLS THAT I HOPE -- WELL, THEY COULD BE VERY DISACKNOWLEDGING TO SAN ANTONIO AND I HOPE WE CAN -- DAMAGING TO SAN ANTONIO AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND WE'RE ALMOST TO THE FINISH LINE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. LAST TIME WE GOT UPDATED WE TALKED ABOUT SB 32, SALLY, AND I WONDER IF YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON WHERE THAT IS. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T RECALL, THIS IS THE BILL THAT INCREASES FOR BUSINESSES A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY USE TO MAKE MONEY. AND SMALL BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE CITY HERE, IN MY OPINION, WOULD BENEFIT FROM IT.
AND WHAT WE LEARNED LAST TIME, I GUESS AFTER THE MEETING YOU ALL WERE NICE ENOUGH TO GO BACK AND CHECK, BUT THE CITY HAS REGISTERED OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL.
WHERE IS THAT BILL RIGHT NOW? >> BASURTO: COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, THE COMPANION IS HB 39. THIS IS THE TAX EXEMPTION INCREASE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY. THIS BILL SAW A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL AND ESSENTIALLY THE EXEMPTION WENT FROM 225,000 TO 125,000. SO THERE WAS A $100,000 REDUCTION, AS WE SHARED
[02:00:03]
PREVIOUSLY, WE OPPOSED THIS BILL DUE TO THE FISCAL IMPACT TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. BECAUSE THE EXEMPTION WAS REDUCED BY 100,000, WE'RE LOOKING STILL AT APPROXIMATELY A $7 MILLION IMPACT TO THE CITY.>> WHYTE: RIGHT. SO THE BILL IS STILL PENDING AND OUR OPPOSITION IS STILL
OUT THERE. >> BASURTO: THAT'S CORRECT.
>> WHYTE: THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD WELCOME MY COLLEAGUES' INPUT ON.
AND I HAD A DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS ON THIS WITH JEFF AND WITH ERIK.
AND LISTEN, I UNDERSTAND IT'S GOING TO HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT TO THE CITY, ANY TIME YOU WIPE AWAY PROPERTY TAXES, IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CITY, BUT THIS IS A BILL THAT WOULD HELP SMALL BUSINESSES OVER ALL THIS CITY.
I MEAN, $125,000 EXEMPTION ON EQUIPMENT THAT THESE BUSINESSES USE TO EARN A LIVING WOULD HELP SAN ANTONIO BUSINESSES. SO I GET IT.
IT WOULD BE LESS REVENUE, LESS REVENUE FOR THE CITY SHOULD THIS PASS, BUT WHO UP HERE IS AGAINST PROVIDING THIS TAX EXEMPTION FOR THESE BUSINESSES.
THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS A POLICY QUESTION THAT I THINK WE NEED TO DEBATE ON THIS BIAS AND NOT SOMETHING WHERE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, STAFF SHOULD BE MAKING THE DECISION. AND I'VE TALKED TO BUSINESSES NOT ONLY IN DISTRICT 10 BUT ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS SINCE THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION, AND THIS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO THEM. I'M INSURE WHY THE CITY -- UNSURE WHY THE CITY WOULD OPPOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THIS MANNER. I WOULD WELCOME MY COLLEAGUES' COMMENTS ON THIS. AND AGAIN, I THINK THAT WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD TO TWO YEARS FROM NOW, YOU KNOW, USING A FORM STATEMENT IN OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SAYING THAT WE HAVE -- STAFF CAN OPPOSE ANYTHING THAT HAS A FISCAL IMPACT ON THE CITY, WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT REVISING THAT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. I PERSONALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD BE AGAINST PROVIDING THIS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE AND HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US LOOK AT WITHDRAWING OUR OPPOSITION TO THAT
PARTICULAR BILL. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR ALL THE WORK YOU AND THE TEAM ARE DOING. I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A ROUGH COUPLE OF WEEKS AHEAD SO THANK YOU FOR THE LATE NIGHTS, ET CETERA, THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WORKING.
I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE LUJAN BILL, ON THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE.
I KNOW IT'S PLACED ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR. WHEN DID YOU SAY IT WAS
EXPECTED TO BE HEARD -- >> BASURTO: IT'S ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR FOR TODAY. SO IT WILL BE A LONG NIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOUSE FLOOR LIST SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
WITHOUT A CRYSTAL BALL, THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW HOW FAST OR SLOW THE HOUSE WILL
PROCESS THOSE BILLS. >> GARCIA: THERE IS HB 6, WHICH I WAS HAVING A MEETING WITH A MOM YESTERDAY WHO HAS TWO SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS. AND I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU HAD HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BILL. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT IS SHE HAS A CHILD THAT ESSENTIALLY HAD TO GO TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THE CHILD GOT AN EX PULLING FROM THESE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS --.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOT NEEDING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HELP TO THAT PARENT. THE REASON I WAS ASKING SHE GAVE ME THE EXAMPLE OF ONE DAY SHE WAS ESSENTIALLY THREATENED BY THE CHILD AND -- I MEAN IT'S HER OWN CHILD. SHE CALLED SAPD AND SAPD TOLD HER THEY COULDN'T DRIVE THE CHILD THEMSELVES. THEY SAID YOU CAN DRIVE THE CHILD, WE'LL FOLLOW YOU, BE BUT SHE WAS SCARED FOR HER LIFE. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PARENTS OUT THERE, BUT I SAW WHEN I WAS READING THROUGH THE BILL TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT BETTER THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE REQUIRED TO, LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, PAY CHILD CLARITY CENTER TO HELP THEM, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT I'M SAYING.
AND SO HAVE YOU ALL HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD AND IT WAS JUST FROM A DISTRAUGHT PARENT. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU KNOW
[02:05:05]
ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. >> BASURTO: I DON'T. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF
BEXAR COUNTY IS TRACKING IT. >> GARCIA: MAYBE A QUICK EMAIL.
I KNOW IT'S NOT NECESSARILY CITY BUSINESS, BUT IT'S ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SALLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT IS GOING ON AT THE STATE.
I WAS TELLING COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ IN THE BACK THAT I JUST SOMETIMES I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE, BUT THANK YOU ALL TO OUR DELEGATES FROM THE COMMUNITY HERE THAT ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
I NOTICE THAT A LOT OF THE HOUSING BILLS THAT WE WERE TRACKING EARLIER ARE NO LONGER ON OUR UPDATES BECAUSE I'M THINKING THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE. THERE WAS ONE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, I THINK IT WAS SB 208, AND THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE, SB 234.
I'M GUESSING THOSE DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE, RIGHT?
>> BASURTO: I BELIEVE -- NADIA INFORMED ME THEY WERE LEFT -- IF IT DID MAKE IT TO THE HOUSE CALENDAR EARLIER THIS WEEK, THEN THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ADVANCE.
THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS SOME OF THE LANGUAGE MAKES IT ON TO A SENATE BILL, BUT SOMETIMES HOUSING BILLS ARE SO COMPLEX, IT'S UNLIKELY TO
HAPPEN. >> KAUR: DID WE GET ANY GOOD HOUSING BILLS THAT
COULD HELP WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING? >> BASURTO: WE CAN SHARE AN UPDATE WITH YOU. MARK IS HERE AND HE WAS SPECIFICALLY TRACKING VERY SPECIFIC BILLS AND WE CAN GET WITH HIM TO FOCUS ON THOSE.
>> KAUR: IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, IF YOU COULD SEND US A NOTE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT I THINK SENATOR MENENDEZ FILED, TOD FUNDING. IF THERE WAS ANY MOVEMENT, I WANTED TO SAY WE NEED TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET SUPPORT FROM THE STATE FROM HOUSING.
AS FAR AS COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE'S QUESTION, I HAVE HEARD THIS.
THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH OF THAT BILL WOULD HELP SMALL BUSINESSES VERSUS OUR LARGER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE FUNDING INTO PROPERTY TAX? DOES IT SPECIFY LIKE THE
LEVEL OF REVENUE THAT -- JEFF, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? >> IT'S NOT LIMITED TO SPECIFIC TYPE OF BUSINESS. IT'S AN EXEMPTION FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY HELD FOR INCOME PRODUCE PURPOSES. THAT'S THE BUSINESS INVENTORY EXEMPTION.
>> KAUR: FIRST OF ALL, BUSINESSES CAN WRITE OFF CARS AS PERSONAL PROPERTY
TOO, RIGHT? >> COYLE: I THINK REFERS TO FEDERAL TAXATION, BUT I
DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY. >> KAR: IF IT WERE TRULY A BILL ONLY LOOKING TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, LIKE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES WILL REACH OUT AND TELL ME, HEY, OUR EQUIPMENT LIKE OUR FRIDGE AND OUR GAS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THOSE NEED TO BE DEPRECIATED AT A QUICKER PACE THAN I THINK IF IT HAD CONFINES AND STRUCTURE AROUND IT THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO SMALL BUSINESSES, I COULD UNDERSTAND YOUR ARGUMENT. BUT FOR ALL BUSINESSES IN GENERAL, I DON'T THINK A BLANKET EXEMPTION WOULD HELP US.
AND THEN GOING INTO A DEFICIT FOR OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR, ALREADY STRUGGLING ON THINGS TO CUT, I HAVE NO IDEA IF RE LOST $7 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING TO GO. THAT WOULD BE WHY I WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL UNLESS SOLELY FOCUSED TO SMALL BUSINESSES UNDER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD HELP THOSE BUSINESSES STAY IN EFFECT.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I ALMOST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT THE COUNCILWOMAN JUST SAID AND I WAS JUST POINTING OUT TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE WHEN HE ASKED WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES, MOST OF THE TIME WE'RE TALKING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND WE DON'T THINK ABOUT PERSONAL PROPERTY. BUT THAT'S BECAUSE PERSONAL PROPERTY INSIDE SOMEBODY'S HOME IS NOT FAXED. WHEN WE'RE TALK -- TAXED.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, WHETHER IT'S AN APARTMENT
[02:10:01]
COMPLEX OR A HOUSE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SHELTER, WHICH IS A HUMAN NEED.WE NEED TO HAVE SHELTER. WITHOUT SHELTER WE COULDN'T EXIST.
SO TRYING TO GIVE BREAKS TO SHELTER I THINK IS -- IT MAKES SENSE, EVEN FOR THE CITY. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU KNOW, BUSINESSES ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY. THEY ARE IN BUSINESS TO ENRICH THEMSELVES.
YES, THEY OFFER SERVICES, THEY OFFER PRODUCTS. BUT IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO MAKE MONEY OFF IT, THEY WOULDN'T DO IT. WHEN WE'RE USING PERSONAL PLOT TO MAKE A FINANCIAL -- PROPERTY TO MAKE A FINANCIAL GAIN, I THINK THIS CITY HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN PROTESTING THE REVENUE THAT WE GET SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES PEOPLE NEED THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO UNLESS, AS YOU JUST HEARD MY COLLEAGUE SAY WE'RE GOING TO TARGET SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROTECT THEM SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO EXIST, YOU KNOW THEN WE'RE JUST SAYING TO EVERY BUSINESS NO MATTER HOW BIG, HOW SMALL, WHAT LEVEL OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROFIT YOU ARE MAKING LIKE AN OIL AND GAS COMPANY OR A SMALL STORE, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S TOO CARTE~BLANCHE AND I DON'T THINK IT BENEFITS THE CITY. THAT'S MY OPINION AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO BE OPPOSED TO THAT LAW. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE.
>> WHYTE: THIS IS GREAT. THIS IS THE CONVERSATION WE SHOULD BE HAVING.
SO IT IS MAKING MY FIRST POINT WHICH IS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CONVERSATION UP HERE ON THE DAIS BEFORE WE WENT AND REGISTERED OPPOSITION.
JUST LIKE YOU GUYS WORK WITH THE VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES AT THE STATE LEVEL TO SAY HEY, MAYBE WE CAN TWEAK THIS OR THAT, SOME OF MY COMMENTS A MINUTE AGO ON RESTRICTING THE BILL TO SMALL BUSINESSES, THESE ARE THINGS WE COULD HAVE WORKED WITH THE STATE RATHER THAN JUST SIMPLY, YOU KNOW, REGISTERING OPPOSITION TO A BILL THAT WOULD HELP OUR BUSINESSES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND TO MY COLLEAGUE TO THE LEFT, HIS COMMENTS, PROTECTING OUR REVENUE, I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN. WE DON'T HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM IN THIS CITY, WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM. ALL RIGHT? AND IF YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO RAISE REVENUE, WE COULD RAISE THE PROPERTY TAX RATES ON OUR CITIZENS, WE COULD RAISE FEES ON ALL SORTS OF THINGS AND BRING IN MORE REVENUE.
BUT HERE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE STATE LEVEL TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON BUSINESSES. AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, OUR BUSINESSES HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET. THEY CAN HIRE MOST OF OUR CITIZENS THAT NEED JOBS.
THEY CAN PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES BETTER WAGES WHEN THEY HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AS WELL. SO WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE AS A BODY TO HELP OUR BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND CERTAINLY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL, WE NEVER EVEN GOT A CHANCE TO GO AND WORK WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT, WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES UP THERE TO MAYBE TAILOR THE BILL INTO SOMETHING WE COULD ALL SUPPORT. THAT IS REALLY THE ISSUE AND I HOPE WE LOOK AT THAT MOVING FORWARD. THANKS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
ERIK? >> WALSH: MAYOR, THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE A COUPLE TIMES AND I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION. REALLY THIS GOES BACK TO, YOU KNOW, THE EARLY WORK THAT WE DO AS DESIGNING OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU TWO EXAMPLES OF MAYBE THE CONVERSATION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE GOING FORWARD AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT SUMMARIZES THE CITY'S POINTS IN TOPICAL AREAS IN ADVANCE OF 8,000 BILLS BEING FILED, AND IT IS OUR GUIDE POST. AND THERE'S A PORTION IN OUR --R LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. ONE IS THAT WE OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CITY'S INTERESTS AND RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF REVENUE OR NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE AUTHORITY TO GENERATE REVENUES.
THAT'S KIND OF A BROAD STATEMENT ABOUT PROTECTING, THE BROAD STATEMENT THE COUNCILMAN REFERRED TO. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF MAYBE THE CONVERSATION THE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT LEGISLATION, WE WILL SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS. THAT IS NOT COMMERCIAL IN NATURE. THAT IS ABOUT -- TO COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE'S
[02:15:03]
POINT, TO RESIDENTS OF PROPERTY ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE.SO IF THE COUNCIL SO CHOOSES TWO YEARS FROM NOW OR YEAR AND A HALF FROM NOW TO NARROWLY FOCUS THE CONVERSATION, THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO DO THAT.
THAT WILL BE THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO DO THAT. WE USE THIS AS A GUIDE POST.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE IT'S NOT SALLY UP THERE IN AUSTIN DECIDING TO OPPOSE BILLS OR SUPPORT BILLS BASED ON HOW HER DRIVE UP 35 WAS THAT MORNING.
IT IS BASED ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND I THINK THE AGENDA THAT TALKS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS, IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES OR SIZE AND SCALE, THEN WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN ADVANCE OF THAT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA NEXT TIME AROUND.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, ERIK.
THAT'S ALL I WAS GOING TO SUMMARIZE AS WELL. THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE SEASON OBVIOUSLY HAS COMPETING INTERESTS AND UNFORTUNATELY OUR DISCUSSION GETS BOILED DOWN INTO COMPETING SOUND BYTES, GREAT FOR TV BUT NOT FOR DELIBERATION.
WHAT ERIC DESCRIBED AS THE NATURE OF OUR DELIBERATIONS, WHAT WE [INAUDIBLE] CONSENSUS. THE ESSENTIAL PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE OR CHALLENGE WHETHER IT'S LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT ORMENT,RN IT IS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, THE NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT.
GO TO THE EAST SIDE, THE NEEDS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT MAYBE ON THE NORTH CENTRAL SIDE. THE SAME IS TRUE EVERYONE IN THE CITY.
WHAT WE DO AS A CITY IS A RESULT OF CONSENSUS. WE DECIDE THE DIRECTION TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND THAT'S WHERE WE GET INTO SOME OF THESE POINTS OF FRICTION. I'LL JUST SAY THIS, ONE MAN OR ONE DISTRICT'S SPENDING PROBLEM IS ANOTHER DISTRICT'S HOMELESS SERVICES OR ANOTHER DISTRICT AMOUNT OF HEALTH SPENDING, CONSTITUENTS' NEEDS. WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER AND THAT IS THE CONSENSUS DIRECTION THAT WE ARRIVE AT WHETHER IT'S THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OR ANYTHING ELSE WE DO AS A CITY INCLUSIVE OF CREATING A BUDGET EVERY CAREER THAT ADDRESSES ALL THOSE CONCERNS.
THANK YOU, SALLY, FOR YOUR TEAM, THE ENTIRE TEAM FOR ALL THE WORK THEY ARE DOING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. I KNOW IT'S VERY CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE YOU THINK SOUNDS BYTES ARE THE WAY TO OPERATE HERE. GO TO AUSTIN AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL YOU GET IN TERMS OF DELIBERATION AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO DO GOVERNING. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK.
WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM 14. >> CLERK: ITEM 14, AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING A CERTAIN GEOGRAPHIC AREA IN THE CITY OF CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AS PROJECT FINANCING ZONE NUMBER TWO OF SAN~ANTONIO AND PROVIDING AN
EXPIRATION DATE FOR THE ZONE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU
NEED A PRESENTATION? COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. YEAH, I DON'T THINK I NEED A PRESENTATION, BUT --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: BEFORE WE BEGIN THE DISCUSSION, LET ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR
APPROVAL OF ITEM 14. >> COURAGE: I'LL MOVE THE APPROVE IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. >> COURAGE: REALLY IT WAS A MATTER OF TRYING TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS SO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. IF YOU STARTED TO EXPLAIN IT, IT WOULD BE SO WE UNDERSTAND IT. LET ME ASK A FEW QUESTIONS. THE PFZ, PUBLIC FACILITY
ZONE, IS THAT THE CORRECT -- >> PROJECT FINANCE ZONE. >> COURAGE: PROJECT FINANCE ZONE. THANK YOU. SO THE PROJECT FINANCE ZONE WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE A FEW YEARS AGO AND THEY'VE ASCERTAINED FROM WHAT WE'VE ASKED THEM THAT WE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR WHAT WE'RE CALLING A SPORTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT ZONE. IS THAT CORRECT? >> CAN I ADD A LITTLE
CONTEXT TO YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILMAN? >> COURAGE: SURE.
>> SO THE LEGISLATURE IN 2023 ALLOWED THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS FINANCING TOOL, WHICH IS A PROJECT FINANCE ZONE. WITHIN THE STATUTE IT DEFINES WHAT YOU CAN USE THIS STATE FUNDING FOR IN TERMS OF QUALIFIED OR ELIGIBLE PROJECTS. SO WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THIS ZONE IS DESIGNATING THE CONVENTION CENTER COMPLEX WHICH IS COMPRISED OF THE ALAMODOME, CONVENTION CENTER
[02:20:01]
AND POTENTIAL NBA ARENA AS THE QUALIFIED PROJECT THAT MEETS THAT UNDER THE STATUTE AND THEN WE COULD USE THOSE STATE REVENUES TO HELP FUND THOSE PROJECTS.>> COURAGE: AND IT'S A THREE-MILE RADIUS AROUND THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE TAX FOR HOTELS OR CAR RENTALS THAT CAN BE RETURNED TO THE CITY.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> NO CAR RENTALS. IT'S A THREE-MILE RADIUS BURNED THE CENTER OF THE SITE. THE ALAMODOME AND THE POTENTIAL ARENA, DRAW A THREE-MILE ZONE, ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA ITEM WE CAN CAPTURE THE INCREMENTAL GROWTH IN THE STATE H.O.T. TAX, THE STATE SALES TAX WITHIN THE BUSINESSES THAT OPERATE WITHIN THE HOTELS AND MIXED BEVERAGE TAX THAT ARE WITHIN THREE-MILE ZONE. IT DOES NOT INCREASE TAXES, IT REDIRECTS THOSE DOLLARS FROM THE STATE BUDGET BACK TO US FOR THESE ELIGIBLE USES.
>> COURAGE: RIGHT. AND WITHIN THAT AREA, I GUESS I WOULD REFER TO IT SOMETHING LIKE A TIRZ. IN OTHER WORDS, TOWARDS TAX MONEY THAT CAN BE USED TO BE REINVESTED IN THE ZONE TO IMPROVE WHATEVER THE FACILITIES ARE WITHIN THE
ZONE YOU DELEGATE, RIGHT? >> AS LONG AS IT MEETS THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF WHAT
THE STATE WANTS US TO SPEND THAT FUNDING ON. >> COURAGE: FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WOOD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE THAT THE CITY HAS TAKEN AS SOMETHING THAT COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT, RIGHT?
>> NOT IN THE PROJECT FINANCE ZONE. SO THE PROJECT FINANCE ZONE UNDER THE STATUTE IS LIMITED TO A CONVENTION CENTER OR A VENUE.
VENUE IS DEFINED AS PROJECT. WE GET A GREAT MORE FLEXIBILITY UNDER STATE LAW BY DESIGNATING IT AS A COMPLEX WITH THOSE THREE PROJECTS I MENTIONED BEING PART OF IT. THERE IS A -- I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD SHOT CLOCK.
FIVE-YEAR TIME FRAME FROM WHEN WE SET THE ZONE BY WHICH WE HAVE TO COMMENCE
THE PROJECT. >> COURAGE: SO IF THE WOOD FEDERAL BUILDING WAS DEVELOPED BY A PRIVATE ENTITY, WOULD THEN IT BE AVAILABLE FOR FUNDING?
>> FROM THE PROJECT FINANCE ZONE? >> COURAGE: YES.
>> WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO MEET THE STATUTORY DEFINITION FOR QUALIFIED PROJECT.
>> COURAGE: SO IT COULDN'T BE ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE OR NON-PROFIT WITHIN THE ZONE
COULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE? >> WE WOULD HAVE TO GET STATE AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT. I DON'T THINK IT WOULD MEET THE DEFINITION OF VENUE.
THE CHALLENGE IS YOU ARE GOING TO LAYER ANOTHER ON TOP OF AN EXISTING ZONE,
THEY ARE GOING TO COMPETE FOR THE SAME DOLLAR. >> COURAGE: THOSE ARE ALL
THE QUESTIONS I HAVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
FURTHER DISCUSSION? THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR -- COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY ADD, BEN, I KNOW THIS IS THE ITEM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE FINANCE ITEM, BUT I ALSO KNOW WE HAVE A PLAN FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE RELEASED REALLY SOON.
THIS MAY NOT BE A YOU QUESTION, BEN, BUT ERIK SINCE THIS ITEM IS UP, CAN YOU BRIEFLY GIVE US A QUICK SUMMARY WHEN WE CAN EXPECT THAT PLAN TO BE RELEASED FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? BECAUSE I DID SEE A VIDEO YESTERDAY TALKING ABOUT
WANTING MORE INFORMATION. >> WALSH: THANKS, COUNCILWOMAN.
ACTUALLY I MET WITH THE CONTRACTOR, MYSELF AND SOME OF STAFF EARLIER THIS WEEK.
WE'RE FINALIZING THAT PLAN AND GETTING THAT OUT TO YOU. IDEALLY IT IS MEANT TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AND THE CONCEPTS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES, BUT HOPE TO HAVE THAT FINALIZED IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND MEMO TO YOU ALL THAT WE'LL ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SAY I KNOW THIS ITEM IS ADMINISTRATIVE FOR THIS WORK, BUT I THINK WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY LOOKING FOR IS AN ENGAGEMENT PLAN, COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT. I KNOW THE MEAT OF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT AND IT IS A KEY PRIORITY FOR ALL OF US.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 14? THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL. PLEASE VOTE.
[02:25:04]
MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 16. >> CLERK: ITEM 16 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2025 ANNUAL OPERATING AND CAP PAL BUDGET BASED ON ACTUAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 2025, OCTOBER 2024 THROUGH MARCH 2025 AND PROJECTIONS FOR THE REMAINING SIX MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR 2025, APRIL 2025 TO SEPTEMBER 2025 IN THE GENERAL FUND AND
RESTRICTED FUNDS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THIS IS PULLED BY COUNCILMEMBER
ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I DON'T NEED THE PRESENTATION. I JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT COUNCIL HAS A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CUTS BEING PROPOSED.
I KNOW IT'S NECESSARY TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE WE'RE PROJECTING A DEFICIT AT THE YEAR'S END. AS COUNCILMEMBERS WE'RE TASKED WITH RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. TO ME IT'S IMPORTANT WE'RE ALL CLEAR WHAT THOSE CUTS ARE. I SAW REDUCTIONS BIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS.
CAN YOU GIVE US A SUPER BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGETS THAT WILL BE REDUCED
THROUGH THIS ADJUSTMENT? >> THE ADJUSTMENTS YOU SEE IN THE REPORT ARE JUST TO ALIGN SPENDING WITH THEIR PROJECTIONS. NO SERVICE CUTS ARE
INCLUDED. >> GAVITO: PERFECT. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALIZE NO SERVICE CUTS ARE PROJECTED. I'M SEEING A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE PARKS BUDGET. WILL THIS IMPACT PENDING
PROJECTS AT WOODLAWN LAKE? >> NO. >> GAVITO: I ALSO KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS THREATENING CUTS TO THE HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE.
WILL THESE REDUCTIONS IMPACT SERVICES TO THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS?
>> NO. >> GAVITO: THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WANTED US TO KNOW AND ALL OF US HAVE HAVE AWARENESS ON. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MIDYEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS AS PROPOSED.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 16?
LET ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: APOLOGIZE. WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 16. WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. ERIK, OVER TO YOU?
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. >> WALSH: JUST ONE ITEM, OUR VIDEO OF THE WEEK.
A PRETTY SPECIAL ONE. MOTHER'S DAY WAS LAST WEEKEND, BUT A QUICK VIDEO ON A MOTHER-DAUGHTER EMPLOYEES THAT WORK IN PARKS & REC AND A LITTLE BIT OF A LIGHT-HEARTED VIDEO BUT SOME UNDER TONES OF IMPORTANCE THAT HOPEFULLY YOU SEE IN THE VIDEO. LET'S ROLL IT.
>> WE HAVE A DOG NAMED PRINCESS. >> MY GRANDDAUGHTERS CALL
THEM PRINCESS. >> MY DAUGHTERS AND MY GRANDDAUGHTERS AND THE DOG.
[INAUDIBLE] I WORK FOR THE URBAN BARK -- URBAN PARK OPERATIONS.
>> I'VE BEEN IN [INAUDIBLE] FOR FIVE YEARS AND TRAILS FOR TWO YEARS.
IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. >> YES, I DID WANT TO FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS. GOT HIRED AND I WAS REALLY EXCITED AND I'M BLESSED.
I LOVE SERVICING THE PARKS. >> I TRY TO MAKE IT SERVICED AND CLEAN AND MAINTENANCE
AND AS WELL SAFE FOR EVERYONE. >> WHAT I DO ON THE TRAILS, MAKE SURE IT'S A SAFETY ENVIRONMENT, THAT THERE'S NOT TRASH OR AUDIO] IN THE TRAIL WAY WHERE THEY COULD HURT THEMSELVES.
>> HAS THERE BEEN A TIME YOU ALL HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON A PROJECT?
>> YES. FOR HER TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME CREW LEADERS, MAN, YOU GOT GOOD CREW LEADERS. I ALWAYS TOLD HER YOU NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE AT BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO GROW. I'VE SEEN HER GROW.
IT IS ANY MOTHER'S DREAM I WOULD SAY. NOW I GET TO SEE THE BEAUTY
AND THE OUTCOME. >> AS A MOTHER MYSELF I'M VERY BLESSED FOR MY MOM AND GUIDING ME AND HELPING ME THROUGH LIFE. CHERISH THAT TIME THAT YOU
[02:30:02]
HAVE. [APPLAUSE] >> WALSH: THAT WAS A NICE VIDEO AND WE HAVE PROBABLY A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT WORK IN OUR 13,000 EMPLOYEE TEAM.
AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE BOTH OF THEM AND THEIR OUTLOOK IN AN AREA THAT'S REALLY OF IMPORTANCE IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE TRAILS AND THE PARK SYSTEMS AND SO
THANK YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, ERIK. WE DO NOT HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY SO THE TIME IS 11:45 A.M. ON MAY 15, 2025 AND OUR A SESSION IS ADJOURNED. NOTE THERE IS A 2:00 P.M. ZONING AGENDA.
HAVE A GREAT MORNING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.