Oct 09, 2025 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:23]

MEETING OPENED A SONG SWEATER BY SAN ANTONIO ARTIST FORMED BY VICTOR AND MARIA. THEY RECORDED DEMOS IN THE ACOUSTICS OF THEIR BEDROOM. THEIR MUSIC HAS GAINED ATTENTION FRACTILE FANS AND MEDIA WITH THEIR SOUND COMPARED WITH '80S INFLUENCED WITH AN ALT POP STYLE WITH SPANISH AND LATIN INFUSIONS.

AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURES LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT, WE CONTINUE NOT TO FEATURE LOCAL MUSICIANS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND TVSA.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM ON THE WEBSITE AND BY FOLLOWING& THEM ONLINE. THE TIME IS 9:04 A.M. THE CITY COUNCIL IS CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

YOU, MADAM CLERK. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ WHO INTRODUCED TODAY'S INVOCATER.

>> GOOD MORNING. WONDERFUL. TODAY IT IS A DISTINCT PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE DR. REVEREND ROCKY GEORGETOWN.

DR. GEORGETOWN IS A FOCUSED COMMUNITY CONSCIOUS LEADER WITH 30 PLUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CREATING CHANGE IN A FAITH BASED MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY. THE YOUNGEST OF TEN CHILDREN, DR. GEORGETOWN WAS BORN IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.

HE'S AN OLDER IN THE CHURCH AND HOLDS DEGREES FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, MCCORMICK SEMINARY AND THE THEOLOGICAL CENTER IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. ONE OF HIS PROUDEST MOMENTS WAS HEAD DRUM MAJOR IN A MARCHING BOND. HE HAS SERVED IN ILLINOIS, TEXAS, AND MISSISSIPPI AND BEYOND HONORED TO BE THE PASTERT OF THE OLDEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH IN SAN ANTONIO FOUNDED IN 1866. HE HOLDS MEMBERSHIPS IN FRATERNITIES.

HE IS THE FATHER OF ONE DAUGHTER WHO RECENTLY GRADUATEDDED FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK. CONGRATULATIONS TOKER HAD. HE IS A FRIEND, A MENTOR, COUNSELOR, AN UNCLE TO MANY. ENJOINS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND HAS TRAVELED TO MORE THAN 7 COUNTRIES WITH A TRIP PLANNED TO SOUTH AFRICA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> AMEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

I'M HUMBLE FOR THIS EXPERIENCE. WOULD YOU PLEASE BOW WITH ME FOR PRAYER. GOD OF OUR WEARY YEARS, GOD OF OUR SOVEREIGN TEARS, THUS FALLEN AWAY, GOD HAS BY THINK MIGHT LET US INTO THE LIGHT, KEEP US FOREVER IN THE PATH WE PRAY. GOD, YOU ARE AWESOME IN ALL YOUR WAYS AND TODAY WE EXHAUST YOUR NAME. CREATE A GOD YOU ARE THE ESSENCE OF PERFECTION AND FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, YOUR WORD HAS BEEN A MAP AND A LIGHT TO OUR PATH. SINCE 1718 YOU HAVE BEEN

[00:05:03]

YOUR WORD TELLS US THAT WE CAN CAST ALL OF OUR CARES UPON YOU BECAUSE YOU CARE FOR US. SO GOD PLEASE HELP US TO PUT PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS. HELP US TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS. HELP US TO GIVE EVERY CHILD IN SAN ANTONIAN EXCELLENT EDUCATION FROM HEAD START TO THEIR SENIOR YEAR.

HELP US TO LOVE AND CARE FOR OUR SENIORS AND IF THEY NEED MEDICINE, PLEASE, GOD, DON'T LET THEM HAVE TO CHOOSE MEDICINE OVER FOOD.

HELP US TO FIND WAYS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HELP US, GOD, TO BECOME THE MODEL CITY FOR THESE UNITED STATES, A PLACE WHERE DID HE SEEN SEE MATTERS, THE RESPECT OF ALL PERSONS MATTER. INTEGRITY MATTERS.

A BOLD LOVE FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT LOOK OR SOMETIMES THINK LIKE WE DO. BUT MOST OF ALL, GOD, IN A WORLD FILLED WITH DARKNESS AND CHAOS, HELP US TO KEEP OUR SANITY. WE REMEMBER THIS MORNING THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETGER MY WHO SAID FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS INFORM PROSATEURS YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE.

GOD, YOU DIVINELY ORCHESTRATED THE PATHS OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO COME FROM MEXICO, THE PHILIPPINES, EUROPE, THE BAHAMAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, CHICAGO, AFRICA, INDIA, AND BRAZL AND MANY OTHER PLACES. NOW WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU STILL ARE ON THE STEPS OF YOUR PEOPLE AND THAT SAN ANTONIO IS A PATH TO RIGHTEOUSNESS. WE ASK NOW THAT YOU STRETCH OUT TO ALMIGHTY HAND, A PROTECTION TO BE UPON ALL OF THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS ESPECIALLY OUR MAYOR. MAY THEY FIND JOY IN THEIR WORK, CONTENTMENT IN THEIR DECISIONS, HUMILITY IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF ALL OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN WHOM THEY SERVE AND MAY THEY FIND PEACE AS THEY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE AS PUBLIC SERVANTS. SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, FALL FRESH UPON US TODAY. GOD, YOU ARE EMMANUEL, SO WE ASK THAT YOU STAY WITH US IN THE NAME OF THE ONE WHO HAS NOT FAILED US YET AND THE ONE WHO LEFT THE GREAT COMMAND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES, JESUS WHO IS THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO SAID AMEN

AND AMEN AGAIN. AMEN. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, REVEREND. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

>> MAYOR JONES: THERE ARE NO MINUTES TO APPROVE TODAY.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL SPECIAL PROCLAMATIONS THOUGH AND WE WILL START OFF WITH THE NAVY'S 250TH BIRTHDAY. TODAY CITY COUNCIL -- YEAH.

RECOGNIZE UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NOT MANY FOLKS HERE IN UNIFORM AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS DUE TO THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN.

HOWEVER, WE WILL STILL CELEBRATE THIS GREAT SERVICE, AND WE HAVE MANY VETERANS HERE TODAY. SO WE WILL CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAY AND EAT CAKE REGARDLESS. TODAY CITY COUNCIL AND I ARE PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE 250TH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SAFEGUARDED OUR NATION FOR TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES, TWO SAILORS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM MILITARY CITY U.S.A.

TEXAS HAS PRODUCED SOME OF THE NAVY'S MOST DISTINGUISHED LEADERS, AMONG THEM SAN ANTONIO'S OWN NBA HALL-OF-FAMER, DAVID ROBINSON AS WELL AS FLEET ADMIRAL WHO COMMANDED THE FLEET IN WORLD WAR II AS WELL AS OUR ADMIRAL BONO WHO IS THE WHITE HOUSE SURGEON GENERAL.

HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT MORE THAN 250 CITY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORN THE NAVY UNIFORM OR CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE RESERVES.

[00:10:01]

MAYOR JONES FOR A SHORT PHOTO OPPORTUNITY. REPRESENTING THE SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RETIRED MARINE JUAN AYALA WILL CUT THE BIRTHDAY CAKE ALONG WITH MAYOR JONES.

REGARDLESS OF LOCATION, SERVICE MEMBERS WILL PAUSE TO OBSERVE THEIR BIRTHDAY BY SHARING A CAKE. A SWORD IS TYPICALLY USED TO AS A REMINDER THAT SERVICE MEMBERS ARE A BAND OF WARRIORS COMMITTED TO CARRYING A SWORD SO THAT OUR NATION MAY LIVE IN PEACE.

SINCE 1775, THE NAVY HAS DEFENDED OUR NATION, SAFEGUARDED THE SEAS AND PROTECTED AMERICAN STRENGTH AROUND THE WORLD.

FROM THE NAVY'S ROLE IN BLOCKADING THE PORTS TO VICTORY OF MANILA BAY IN 1898 AND THE LANDINGS IN WORLD WAR II, THEY HAVE BEEN AT THE TURNING POINTS. THE SUBMARINES DETER THREATS DURING THE COLD WAR AND THE HOSPITAL SHIPS PROVIDED HOPE AND HEALING AFTER DISASTERS ACROSS THE GLOBE. TODAY, THE NAVY CONTINUES TO INNOVATE IN CYBERSPACE AND UNMANNED TECHNOLOGIES ENSURING OUR NATION REMAINS SECURE WELL INTO THE FUTURE. AS WE CUT THIS CAKE, WE HONOR ALL THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WISHING THE UNITED STATES NAVY A VERY HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY.

[00:15:33]

>> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. TODAY WE ALSO CELEBRATE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION AND WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS HERE. WHEREAS DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOINS OUR SISTER CITY AND THE LOCAL FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN OBSERVING FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH. WHEREAS FILIPINO AMERICANS ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST AND FASTERS GROWING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FIRST APPROVING IN MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA, IN THE 16TH CENTURY AND IN OCTOBER WE HONOR THE 260,000 FILL PONIES AND FILIPINO AMERICANS WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR II INCLUDING THE 75,000. 25,000 ASIAN-AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS SERVE IN OUR ARMED FORCES AND WHEREAS WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF FILIPINO AMERICANS SUCH AS MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT SECOND CLASS AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER COFOUNDER OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS OF AMERICA. I, THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION THEREOF PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2025 TO BE FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. WITH THAT

>> MAYOR JONES: I WILL INVITE MYRA, LEADER OF THE FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAN ANTONIO TO PROVIDE A FEW MINUTES OF

REMARKS. >> HI. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MY NAME IS MYRA FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY. I'M HONORED TO STAND HERE WITH TEN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON THISSATION BEFORE SAN ANTONIO'S FIRST QUEER FILIPINO MAYOR WE CELEBRATE BOTH FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH AND LGBTQIA COMMUNITY. WE HAVE CELEBRATIONS TO ENJOY FOOD, CULTURE, AND ARTS. LET US PAUSE MOMENT TO REMEMBER IT WASN'T ALWAYS LIKE THIS. THERE WERE TIMES IN HISTORY BUILDING SIGNS STATED POSITIVELY NO FILIPINOS ALLOWED. THERE WERE TIMES IN HISTORY THAT WE WERE MISSING FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS, THAT OUR STORIES WERE MISSING FROM HISTORICAL RECORD JUST LIKE LARRY AND PHILLIP VERACRUZ. IT WAS A WORK OF DR. FRED CORDOVA AND OTHER ELDERS AND ANCESTORS. THE WORKS HAD TO HAPPEN TO HAVE FILIPINO BUSINESSES COULD THRIVE AND PROJECTS RELATED TO THE MEDAL OF HONOR TO BE BIRTHED. THIS YEAR I JUST WANT TO EXPAND OUR INVITATION TO MORE OF MY FELLOW FILIPINOS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH US AS WE CAPTURE AND CONTINUE TO BUILD HISTORY LOCALLY.

AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT AND ATTEND OUR EVENTS AS WELL AS THE FOOD AND CULTURE AND THE WORK THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOUR US ALL TO ENJOY FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS TODAY.

SOME OF YOU KNOW MY FATHER. HE SERVED AS FILIPINO AMBASSADOR. HE SERVED AS A SEASONAL FARMWORKER ON THE DELANO FIELDS BEFORE THE HISTORIC 1965 STRIKE. HE LIVED IN CONVERTED TRAIN CAR WITHOUT ELECTRICITY AND HIS ROOMMATE WAS A JAPANESE FARMWORKER. COME TO OUR EVENTS. THEY ARE THIS YEAR ONLY. OCTOBER 18 IS THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE GOLDEN YEARS EXHIBIT WITH SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS FEATURING SARAH THOMPSON SITTING RIGHT THERE AND MYSELF. OCTOBER 25 IS A WORKSHOP ON ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS SO THAT WE CAN CONDUCT OUR -- CAPTURE OUR OWN HISTORY. NOVEMBER 1 A PANEL.

OUR HERITAGE IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT OUR HISTORY TELLS YOU WHO WE ARE. WE WANTS TO HONOR THE ORGANIZATIONS PRESENTED TODAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAMERA CAN CAPTURE IT.

COMMUNITIES ALIGNING IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, LEAD FILIPINO ORGANIZATION OF FILIPINOS IN TEXAS, FILIPINO AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GREATER SAN ANTONIO, FILIPINO ASSOCIATION SAN ANTONIO, PHILIPPINE

[00:20:05]

CHAMBER OF CUSTOMERS. UTSA FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF COUNSEL AND FELLOW SAN ANTONIANS. THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND A CHANCE TO STAND IN THE ECHO OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY. OUR STORY ON THESE SHORES BEGINS IN 1587. IT RUNS THROUGH HAWAII AND ALASKA, THE ELDER BROTHERS WORKED WITH HANDS DID NOT GET A DAY OFF.

FILIPINO FARMWORKERS HELPED THE STRIKE. DIGNITY ISN'T NEGOTIATED. IT'S ORGANIZED. IT MOVES THROUGH HOSPITAL WARDS AND INTO CLASSROOMS WHERE FILIPINO TEACHERS TURN CHALK INTO CHANCES. ALWAYS THE SAME COMPASS HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE IN THE STUBBORN BELIEF THAT WORK, SACRIFICE, AND COMMUNITY CAN GET US THERE. WE HAVE A WORD FOR THAT.

NEIGHBORS LIFTING TOGETHER. WE HAVE ANOTHER WORD, COMPASSION WITH SLEEVES ROLLED UP. THESE AREN'T SLOGANS.

THEY ARE MUSCLE MEMORY. THAT'S WHY SO MANY FILIPINO AMERICANS SERVE IN OUR ARMED FORCES TODAY AND NURSES, CAREGIVERS, COOKS, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CHOOSE THE EARLY SHIFT, THE DOUBLE SHIFT, THE OVERNIGHT. SAN ANTONIO UNDERSTANDS THIS LAMBING.

IN MILITARY U.S.A., SERVICE IS NOT A LINE ON A RESUME.

IT'S A WAY OF LIFE. THE CITY OF FAITH AND FIESTAS, FAMILY AND FOOD, WE KNOW THE GREATER GOOD IS NOT A DISTRACTION.

IT'S THE KID WHO NEEDS A TUTOR, THE ELDER WHO NEEDS A RIDE, THE NEIGHBOR WHOSE LIGHTS ARE OUT. WHEN FILIPINOS CHOOSE SAN ANTONIO, WE DIDN'T JUST BRING [INDISCERNIBLE].

WE BROUGHT A PROMISE. WE WILL SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER.

MADAM MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS, LEADERSHIP IS WIDENING THAT CIRCLE. BY DECLARING OCTOBER AS FILIPINO AMERICAN MONTH, YOU ARE NOT ONLY HONORING THE FAST. YOU ARE UNDERWRITING THE FUTURE. YOU'RE TELLING A CHILD WATCHING THIS LIVE STREAM THEIR ACCENT IS NOT A BARRIER. IT'S A BRIDGE.

YOU'RE TELLING THE PARENTS WATCHING THEM THIS FROM BREAK ROOMS AND KITCHEN TABLES THAT SAN ANTONIO DOESN'T JUST COUNT THEM.

IT COUNTS ON THEM. SO WHAT WE DO THIS MONTH? WE REMEMBER. WE DON'T STOP THERE. WE TEACH THE NAMES, THE TEXTBOOKS SKIP. WE TELL THE STORIES OF SAILORS AND STUDENTS, OF UNION HALLS AND BASE HOUSING, OF NURSES WHO WORKED THE NIGHT SHIFT AND STILL MADE THE MORNING MASS. WE STAND UP FOR WORKERS AND THEN WE TURN REMEMBRANCE INTO RESPONSIBILITY.

WE VOTE. WE VOLUNTEER. WE MENTOR.

WE STAND UP FOR WORKERS. WE WELCOME THE NEXT FAMILY THAT LANDS IN SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL APARTMENT WITH TWO SUITCASES AND A MAP DRAWN WITH HOPE. MAYOR JONES, COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR SEEING US, FOR NAMING THIS MONTH, AND FOR REMINDING THIS CITY THAT THE AMERICAN STORY GETS STRONGER EACH TIME ANOTHER THREAD IS WOVEN IN. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES.

TODAY WE ARE RECOGNIZING DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK. I'M GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN WE HAVE FOLKS TO SPEAK ON THAT.

AS SA DIGITAL CONNECT A LODGE SIDE SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY AND INTERNET PROVIDERS THAT'S LEAD GREATER BEXAR COUNTY TO EXPAND INFRASTRUCTURE, AFFORDABILITY, DIGITAL DEVICES, AND SKILLS TRAINING. THESE EFFORTS PROVE ACCESS FOR THOUSANDS OF THOUS HOLDS AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES. DIGITAL ACCESS IS A KEY DRIVER THAT ENABLES RESIDENTS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND INCREASE ENGAGEMENT WHILE HE CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE EXAM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, AFFORDABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET DIGITAL

[00:25:02]

WE ARE ALL RESIDENTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS TO OBSERVE THIS WEEK BY PROMOTING DIGITAL INCLUSION, JOINING LOCAL EVENTS, AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS THAT EXPAND ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ON THIS.

SO PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

PLEASE, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO KICK US OFF AND HAVE THE GROUP COME UP. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK. ANNUAL INITIATIVE TO REAFFIRM OUR CITY'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY SAN ANTONIAN HAS THE ACCESS AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN A DIGITAL WORLD.

I KNOW SOME OF YOU MAY RECOGNIZE RHIA. SHE WAS HERE WHEN COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO AND I GOT HERE. SHE WAS A CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEE.

AND SHE WAS HELPING WITH THIS INITIATIVE. YOU SEE THE FACES UP HERE THAT ARE VERY FAMILIAR, AND YOU'RE LIKE, WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE? THIS IS THE COMMUNITY FROM ALL SORTS OF NONPROFITS THAT CARE ABOUT DIGITAL INCLUSION AND KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED BECAUSE PEOPLE ASK, IS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE STILL I THING? UNFORTUNATELY, AND THIS GROUP IT TELL YOU THE ANSWER IS YES, WE HAVE THOUSANDS ACROSS SAN ANTONIO AND MILLIONS ACROSS THE NATION WHO STILL DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME.

INTERNET CONNECTED WORLD, IT'S NOT LIKE HAVING AC -- IT'S LIKE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO BASE HE CAN UTILITIES, WATER, GAS, ELECTRICITY. OUR CITY IS MADE INCREDIBLE PROGRESS TOWARD BRINGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE THANKS TO THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH SA DIGITAL CONNECT'S PARTNERSHIP. SOME OF WHICH ARE HERE TODAY, FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION, DIGITAL LIFT, EMPOWER HOUSE, GIRLS, INC., OATS, INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL SELF-RELIANCE.

RHIA IS GOING TO RECOGNIZE ANY THAT I MISSED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT BEING ONLINE IS NOT A LUXURY. IT'S A LIFELINE TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, AND OPPORTUNITY.

AS Y'ALL KNOW, MY TIME WHEN I FIRST GOT ON HERE WAS TRYING TO KEEP SENIORS CONNECTED THROUGH OATS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAD A LIFELINE TO MAKE THEIR APPOINTMENTS. TODAY, FOUR YEARS -- FIVE YEARS LATER, WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH TRYING TO GET PEOPLE CONNECTED. I'M GOING TO TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO RHIA TO LET HER TALK A LITTLE MORE AND RECOGNIZE ALL THE GROUPS THAT ARE HERE WITH US TODAY. GO AHEAD. THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK. SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY HAVE BUILT ONE OF THE STRONGEST PUB ELECTRIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE NATION SOLELY DEDICATED TO BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

IN 2021 OVER 200 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AND BEXAR COUNTY CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIGITAL INVESTMENT PLAN. THE SA DIGITAL CONNECTS PARTNERSHIP WAS CREATED TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN THROUGH THE END OF 2026. THE PLAN IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITH A MISSION TO GENERATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BY ENSURING THAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD HAS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND IS SAFE, SECURE, AND CONFIDENT WHEN THEY ARE ONLINE.

THIS COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MODEL HAS INSPIRED CITIES AND COUNTIES TO CREATE SIMILAR PARTNERSHIPS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. THROUGH COORDINATED, INFORMED, AND EFFORTS WE ARE CREATING PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC EDMONTON AND OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO RELIABLE, HIGH SPEED INTERNET IN THEIR HOMES, INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING AND CLASSES, AND ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR HOME INTERNET OPTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR PARTNERS HERE TODAY. THEY, OF COURSE, ARE THE TRUE STARS OF THIS WORK. IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THESE THAT OUR COMMUNITY, OUR NEIGHBORS, AND THEIR FAMILIES THRIVE.

FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION -- DO YOU WANT TO RAISE YOUR HAND DIGITAL LIFT, EMPOWER HOUSE, GIRLS, INC., OF SAN ANTONIO, OATS SENIOR PLANNING, COME PEW DOT, OPPORTUNITY HOME, IDRA, AND RESTORE EDUCATION.

TODAY SA DIGITAL CONNECTS CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE

[00:30:02]

WE ARE HUMBLE TO HAVE THE PARTNERSHIP AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT FROM PRIVATE SECTOR CHAMPIONS JUST AS TOYOTA, USAA. ONE KEY LEADER IN THIS SPACE IS METHODIST HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES. SINCE 2021, THEY HAVE INVESTED OVER $9 MILLION IN 22 NONPROFITS ACROSS SAN ANTONIO TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. THEY SUPPORT COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS THAT EXPAND BROAD BAND ACCESS, IMPROVE DIGITAL LITERACY, AND PUT DEVICES INTO HANDS OF THOSE THAT NEED IT MOST.

ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THIS WORK CAME AFTER A JOINT RFP BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY WHEN OUR COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO SOLVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE GAP WITH TWO MAJOR PROJECTS TO MAKE BROADBAND INTERNET AVAILABLE TO OVER 35,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

ALONG WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY AND MATCHING FUNDS FROM AT&T FROM SPECTRUM, THIS RESULTED IN A $63 MILLION INVESTMENT IN OUR MOST DISCONNECTED NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT ULTIMATELY GENERATES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING, AND HEALTHCARE RESOURCES. THIS PROCLAMATION IS MORE THAN SYMBOLIC.

IT'S A CELEBRATION OF THE COLLECTIVE WORK OF HUNDREDS OF PARTNERS.

THESE AMAZING NONPROFITS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, LIBRARIES, ALL UNITED BY A SHARED MISSION.

THE WORK IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT GETTING ON THE INTERNET.

IT'S ABOUT ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. WHEN WE BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, WE STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. WE EMPOWER LEARNERS.

WE BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SAN ANTONIO.

THANK YOU.

YOU. I INVITE ALL MY COUNCILMEMBERS, ON FRIDAY I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE COMMUNITY CONNECTS MEETING AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND I INVITE MY COUNCILMEMBERS TO COME OUT AND SEE THE GOOD WORK THEY ARE DOING. I KNOW MOST OF YOU ALL HAVE STORIES ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO AND WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM IN SAN ANTONIO, WE MEET THE GOALS. SO I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL BECAUSE THIS WAS ONE OF THE TENANTS I RANNON, BUT TO SEE THE PROGRESS IS AMAZING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR TAKING AN INTEREST IN MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE FBI THERE TALKING ABOUT PROTECTION ONLINE AND AS WE WORK FORWARD.

WE'RE GOING TO REALLY WORK ON MOVING THE NEEDLE HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. , YOU KNOW, I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER FILL US VIAGRAN BECAUSE WHEN I WAS THE FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SA DIGITAL CONNECTS, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMPION. FROM MY ROLE AS THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO NOW, YOU'VE CONTINUED TO REMAIN A CHAMPION AND I WANT TO ECHO A LOT OF YOUR WORDS. THE WORK IS NOT DONE.

I ALSO DID WANT WANT TO THANK -- I THINK I SAW WALTER HERE EARLIER.

THE START-UP TEAM IT ONCE WAS, I KNOW WALTER WAS HERE, TOO, BUT I SEE SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES. YOU ALL HAVE CONTINUED TO BE -- AND MARTHA, YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO BE CHAMPION AND ADVOCATES. THIS IS A TOUGH FIGHT, YOU KNOW. THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS IN SAN ANTONIO, AND SO WE WERE ALWAYS JUST JUMPING AND SCREAMING THIS HAD TO STILL BE A PRIORITY. I MEAN, I REMEMBER AS JUMPING AND SCREAMING THAT INTERNET HAS TO BE CONSIDERED A UTILITY. WE ACTUALLY HOSTED DISTRICT 7 HOSTED A UTILITIES TOWN HALL WITH SAWS, CPS.

WE INCLUDED FIBER COMPANIES BECAUSE IT'S A UTILITY.

PEOPLE NEED IT IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. PREACHING TO THE CHOIR.

WE NEED THIS SO PEOPLE CAN APPLY FOR JOBS AND COLLEGE. WE NEED SO THEY CAN KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO METHODIST HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES FOR Y'ALL'S INVESTMENT IN THIS CAUSE. I KNOW THAT -- AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT COULDN'T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU ALL. IT'S EXCITING TO SEE YOU ALL AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THANK YOU.

>> COUNCILMEMBER SPEARS. >> SPEARS: I, TOO, JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE SAYING. THIS IS TRULY MUCH NEEDED, ESSENTIAL IN THIS WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY.

SO THIS IS -- IT IS A NEED. IT IS SOMETHING WE MUST DO FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND SO I WANTS TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND EFFORT AND I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING PRACTICAL STEPS THAT DO HELP ALL OF OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS AND SENIORS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY NEED TO ACCESS FOR DAILY

[00:35:02]

IT IS IMPORTANT WAY TO FIGHT ISOLATION IN MANY WAYS.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT, TOO, AND THANK YOU FOR BRIDGING THAT DIGITAL DIVIDE. IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. OUR FINAL -- THANK YOU ALL.

RECOGNITION TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH.

I WILL RECOGNIZE -- READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS. DURING OCTOBER 2025, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE HISTORY MONTH TO HONOR THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ART TEACHERS, VETERANS, FAITH LEADERS, AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PART OF OUR CITY AND STAFF FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS THAT GREATLY ADD TO THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS WE HONOR THE PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN HISTORY THAT IGNITED THE MOVEMENT IN AMERICA, RECOGNIZING THE COURAGE AND RESILIENCE WHO HAVE CHAMPIONED RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND EQUITY FOR ALL. WHEREAS THIS FORMAL DECLARATION AFFIRMS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LGBTQ PLUS HISTORY MONTH AND CELEBRATES THE COMMUNITY IN SHAPING SAN ANTONIO'S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. NOW, THEREFORE, I GINA ORTIZ JONES PROUD LESBIAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, IN RECOGNITION THERE OF, DO HERE BY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER TO BE LGBTQ PLUS HISTORY MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS AS A TRIBUTE TO HISTORY AND REAFFIRMATION OF OUR SHARED VALUES OF INCLUSION, EQUALITY, AND UNITY.

I WANT TO THANK MY COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR REQUESTING THIS

PROCLAMATION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME FOLKS UP TO THE PODIUM TO SHARE A COUPLE OF WORDS. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY TAKING A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE MARIA SAL CZAR, OUR APPOINTEE TO THE LGBTQ PLUS ADVISORY BOARD WHO EMBODIES OUR COMMITMENT TO CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY THAT STRENGTHENS AND ENRICHES OUR COMMUNITY. AS WE MARK LGBTQ PLUS HISTORY MONTH, WE HONOR THE MOMENTS THAT SPARK THE FIGHT FOR EQUITY AND WE RECOGNIZE THE COURAGE AND RESILIENCE OF THOSE WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO CHAMPION THE STRUGGLE FOR RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND EQUALITY. WITH THAT I'LL HAND IT

OVER TO MARIA. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M VERY PROUD TO BE HERE. I'M AN CHICANA LESBIAN ATTORNEY ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT BRINGS ME GREAT JOY TO BE HERE TO CELEBRATE LGBTQ PLUS HISTORY MONTH. I AM JOINED HERE BY A NUMBER OF TRAILBLAZERS AND BACKGROUND BREAKING LEADERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE VICTORIA WHO IS OUR COCHAIR OF SAN ANTONIO'S LGBT ADVISORY COUNCIL. I SERVE AS YOUR CHAIR.

MICHAEL RENDONE WHO IS THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 6 WHO SITS ON THE COUNCIL. I AM JOINED BY MEMBERS OF FIESTA YOUTH LEADERSHIP, AND I'M HESITATING BECAUSE I WANT TO GET INTO -- I WANT TO RECOGNIZE CHRIS CASTILLO WHO WAS A CIVIL SERVANT FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. I HIGHLIGHT THAT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE IN EVERY PART OF THE CITY.

WE WORK FOR OUR GOVERNMENT. WE WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. WE WORK IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I AM ALSO JOINED HERE BY ELENA WHO WAS OPENLY ELECTED AS AN OPEN LESBIAN MANY YEARS AGO AND REALLY -- 20 YEARS AGO AND SAT IN YOUR CHAIR, LEADING TO EVEN MORE HISTORICAL MARKERS.

WE ARE SITTING IN HISTORY, AND WE NEED TO VALUE THAT HISTORY AND REMEMBER IT BECAUSE IT'S BEING ERASED. THERE IS AN EFFORT TO ERASE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. I'M LOOKING AT JALEN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ ELECTED, THE FIRST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I AM LOOKING AT, OF COURSE, OUR MAYOR GINA ORTIZ JONES WHO WAS ELECTED AS NOT AN OPENLY ELECTED MAYOR. OUR LEADERSHIP RUNS ON BEING AUTHENTIC AND TRUTHFUL. ACROSS THE WAY, WE HAVE JUDGES WHO ARE SITTING IN COURT, TWO OF THEM ARE OPENLY LESBIAN, JUDGE GONZALES, JUDGE LIRA AND WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

30 YEARS AGO, THIS PRESENTATION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCEPTANCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THAT HAS

[00:40:03]

THAT IS GROUND BREAKING ALONG WITH ESTABLISHING THE HISTORICAL DISTRICT, THE PRIDE DISTRICT, WHICH WAS DONE EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND, OF COURSE, HAVING THE SIDEWALK RAINBOW SIDEWALK INSTALLED IN 2018, WHICH IS NOW BEING THREATENED TO BE BULLDOZED AND PAINTED OVER BY A GOVERNOR'S SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ADVOCATING FOR OUR VISIBILITY FROM HERE ON OUT. I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE HAVE ALLIES AND ADVOCATES ON CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE COME TAGALITE REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE HERE.

WE ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WE CANNOT ERASE WHO WE ARE IN THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE MAKE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS AND I JUST TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HAS MADE IN OUR CITY AND OUR DISTRICTS. GET TO KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. GET TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE I TELL YOU, DISTRICT 5 -- SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH.

THANK YOU.

SEVERAL THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM. IT IS SO FITTING GIVEN THE NEWS THAT WE GOT YESTERDAY FROM THE STATE, AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE A TRYING MONTH FOR ALL OF US. I GOT TO SPEAK TO THE MAYOR ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONTINUE TO SHOW OUR COMMUNITY THAT EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY IS WELCOME AND LOVED IN OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS FOR US, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY LOUD AND PROUD THAT WE REALLY LOVE OUR LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY. YOU MISSED SOMEONE AS AN

ELECTED OFFICIAL. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> CHAIR VIAGRAN.

>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE ALL THE LGBTQ COMMUNITIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS CITY, TO THIS NATION, THE CULTURE, THE ART, THE INNOVATION, THE CREATIVITY, THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR COUNTRY A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. THIS IS WHAT MAKES SAN ANTONIO A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. I WAS THERE WATCHING WITH THE NONDISCRIMINATION ORDER WHEN SAN ANTONIO HAD TO TAKE THAT VOTE AND THE OTHER VIAGRAN SISTER SAT HERE.

I WAS THERE WHEN I WALKED INTO THE DAIS WITH COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. WE MADE AN EFFORT WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO GET THIS BOARD TO HAVE MORE POWER AND MORE SAY BECAUSE WE -- WE COULD TELL THAT THREATS WOULD CONTINUE TO COME.

LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE WITHIN OUR TERMS THAT IT WOULD COME. WE WERE THINKING FUTURE.

I WAS THINKING FUTURE. I WAS NOT THINKING WITHIN THE 8 YEARS THAT WE WOULD ALL SIT HERE, AND HERE WE ARE. WE HAVE TASKED YOU TO DO A LOT OF WORK. I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU DO ON THE BOARD AND MY APPOINTEE HAS BEEN WORKING HARD. I KEEP TELLING HIM BRING THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN. GET THOSE SUB COMMITTEES READY BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG HAUL. THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONGER BATTLE. BUT WE WANT TO CELEBRATE TODAY BECAUSE YOU ARE ROLE MODELS AND YOU BUILD COMMUNITY AND YOU'RE NOT JUST ROLE MODELS FOR THE COMMUNITY BUT FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS THE STORY YOU TELL. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR BEING HERE TODAY. WHILE WE KNOW THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, JALEN SAW IT WHEN HE CAME IN, AND HE KNEW IT WAS AND HE GOT THE TWO OF US ONBOARD AND NOW WE'RE GETTING THE REST ONBOARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD IN A VERY THOUGHTFUL WAY AS WE DO THIS. SO THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO SAN ANTONIO. TEXANS ACROSS THE STATE ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THIS. WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS. THANK YOU.

>> CHAIR MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR CALLING FOR THIS PROCLAMATION. IT IS THE FIRST OPENLY

[00:45:06]

HE WAS THE FIRST OPENLY TRANS MAN TO HOLD AN OFFICE AND THE FIRST OUT COUNCILMEMBER IN SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS A TIME TO HONOR THE TRAILBLAZERS WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR RIGHT. IT'S A TIME TO REFLECT ON THE COURAGE OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US, PEOPLE WHO MARCHES TO ORGANIZE AND CARE FOR OTHERS IN THE FACE OF DISCRIMINATION AND FEAR. BECAUSE OF THEM AND PEOPLE LIKE ME CAN STAND PROUDLY IN SPACES LIKE THIS ONE SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES AS A MOST AUTHENTIC SELF. THIS SATURDAY HAPPENS TO BE OCTOBER 11, NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY AND FOR SO MANY COMING OUT ISN'T A SINGLE MOMENT BUT A LIFELONG JOURNEY THAT CAN BRING LIBERATION AND, OF COURSE, GREAT RISK. TO THOSE WHO ARE OUT AND THOSE WHO CAN'T BE AND STILL FINDING THEIR WAY, YOU ARE SEEN, LOVED, AND YOUR STORY MATTERS.

THIS MONTH REMINDS US THAT PROGRESS ISN'T INEVITABLE.

IT'S INTENTIONAL AND IT HAPPENS WHEN WE MAKE ROOM FOR EVERY VOICE, WHEN WE CREATE POLICIES THAT PROTECT RATHER THAN DIMINISH AND PUNISH AND WHEN WE ENSURE THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON KNOWS THEY ARE PERFECT JUST AS THEY ARE. IT'S ONE THING TO SAY YOU ARE AN ALLY, TO SAY YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, TO SAY YOU ARE A KIND AND ACCEPTING PERSON BUT AN ALLY ISN'T SOMETHING YOU GET TO CALL YOURSELF.

ASKS AN ACTION, A TITLE YOU MUST EARN EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE LIVE IN A STATE AND WORLD WHERE INSTEAD OF FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ENSURING EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, THIS HE WOULD LIKE TO BAN BOOKS AND THE DRAG QUEENS WHO READ THEM E THEY WANT TO PREVENT KIDS FROM PLAYING SPORTS AND USING THE BATHROOM.

PSYCH LIST AND DRIVERS -- INSTEAD OF ENSURING THAT EVERY PLACE, WHETHER IT'S THE CHURCHES THAT WE WORSHIP, THE MOVIE THEATERS WE CONNECT WITH THE WORLD AROUND US IN, OR THE SCHOOLS THAT WE SEND OUR CHILDREN TO, INSTEAD OF ENSURING THAT THESE PLACES ARE FREE FROM GUN VIOLENCE, THEY WANT US TO KNOW WE AREN'T SAFE TO BE WHO WE ARE, TO HOLD OUR LOVED ONE'S HAND OR EXIST AUTHENTICALLY IN PLAIN SIGHT. MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY TRANS YOUTH, ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE AT RATES UNACCEPTABLE.

SO EVERY CHANCE THAT WE GET, WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THIS COMMUNITY IS A CITY ISSUE IN EVERY SINGLE WAY AND WE NEED TO SHOW UP AS LEADERS IN THAT'S ARE HARD AND CHALLENGING. IT'S ALWAYS WORT FIGHTING TO PROTECT THOSE. AS WE CELEBRATE, LET'S RECOMMIT TO BUILDING A SAN ANTONIO THAT HONORS THE COURAGE OF THE PAST BY GUARANTEEING SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND EQUALITY FOR EVERYONE, NO EXCEPTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: CHAIR MUNGIA.

>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. THE FIGHT AND STRUGGLE CONTINUES. YOU KNOW YOUR POLITICAL ARMS IS NAMED AFTER 1969. WHAT WAS THAT? THAT WAS THE GOVERNMENT TRYING TO CLOSE AND PUT OUT YOUR COMMUNITY IN CALIFORNIA.

THE NEWS WE HAVE AS OF YESTERDAY ABOUT TRYING TO ERADICATE THE CROSSWALK IS JUST ANOTHER INSTANCE, ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER STATE TRYING TO HIDE THE COMMUNITY AND FORCE IT BACK INTO HIDING.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. KNOW THAT WHILE IT'S A LITTLE DARK AT THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL, YOU DO HAVE ALLIES HERE AT CITY COUNCIL.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE HERE WHO SEE AND VALUE THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WE STILL HAVE AUTHORITY AND ABILITIES AT THE CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE CHANGE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND TO MAKE EVERYBODY'S LIVES BETTER.

SO WE VALUE YOUR WORK, MARIA. WE VALUE YOUR WORK, VICTORIA. TO MY OWN APPOINTEE WHO IS JUST A STAR WHEN IT COMES TO THAT AND IS JUST VERY PROUD AND OUT THERE MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. YOU HAVE ALLIES HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR JONES: CHAIR GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO SERVES ON THE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ADVOCATE AND HAVE BEEN ADVOCATES AND WHO HAVE STRONG ALLIES FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN OUR CITY AND THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

WE KNOW IT CAN BE TOUGH WHEN WE SEE FEDERAL AND STATE ACTIONS THAT IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY HERE. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT ARE UP HERE, THE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER WE'RE THE STRONGEST ADVOCATES OR NOT, WHETHER FOLKS ARE LEARNING TO TRY TO COME OUT ON THEIR OWN OR FEEL SAFE OR GOING THROUGH JOURNEYS, THAT THE CITY IS STILL YOUR HOME.

[00:50:01]

WE CANNOT FORGET THAT BUT KNOW THIS HASN'T STOPPED US.

THIS WORK CONTINUES EVERY SINGLE TIME AND THE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE TODAY IN FRONT OF US, THE FOLKS HERE THROUGHOUT OUR CITY WHO HAVE DONE THIS WORK BEFORE ARE STILL DOING THAT WORK BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS STILL IMPORTANT. I ALWAYS KEEP THAT IN MY MIND WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING UP HERE AT CITY COUNCIL, AT OUR STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL? WHAT IS THE WORK WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS HERE? IT'S SAYING IT'S NOT TOO FAR OFF FROM WHERE WE WERE AT. RIGHT? WE'RE NOT TOO FAR AWAY.

WE STAND WITH THE FOLKS BEFORE US AND EVEN THINK ABOUT DIGITAL LITERACY.

I THINK ABOUT FOLKS MY AGE AND MY OWN STORY THAT IT WAS THROUGH ACCESS TO FOLKS WHO MAYBE -- I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO OUT IN PERSON.

OR MY FOLKS WHO DIDN'T HAVE TO STAY WITH SOMEONE THEY SAW EVERY SINGLE DAY BUT THEY COULD SEND A MESSAGE TO, CONNECT WITH ONLINE AS A DIGITAL COMMUNITY. TO THE FOLKS AROUND ME, I'LL SHARE THAT WITH THEM, TOO. I ALWAYS WANT TO SHOUT OUT AS WELL FOR THE WORK ACROSS OUR CITY AND OUR NATION, TOO, WITH HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE MICHAEL SERVE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD.

GAVITO. >> I SEE SO MANY ADVOCATES IN OUR COMMUNITY. I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOR ALWAYS STAND ARE FIRM ON THIS, TO MY OWN APPOINTEE, ANDREA, YOU KNOW YOU DO SO MUCH GREAT WORK. I'LL KEEP MY COMMENTS SHORT.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, MARIA. THERE'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD. BUT YOU CAN COUNT ON ME TO BE IN THIS FIGHT WITH YOU ALL AND STAND OUR GROUND. THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ. >> MEZA GONZALEZ: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR PRESENTING THIS AND TO ALL MY FRIENDS THAT I SEE HERE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF YOU HERE. I WAS WITH MARIA ON SUNDAY AT SOLIDARITY SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE AND JUST A REMINDER, EVERY DAY WE NEED REMINDERS THAT THERE'S GOOD PEOPLE DOING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THIS CITY. SO COUNT ON ME AND THOSE REMINDERS ARE HELPFUL TO EVERYONE. ALLIES OR NOT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> I WANT TO PERSONALLY RECOGNIZE COUNCILMEMBER. SO MANY OF US UP HERE -- I THINK YOU RECOGNIZE TWO OR THREE, BUT YOU FOUND THERE WERE FOUR OR FIVE ON THE COUNCIL, A LITTLE EARLIER THAN THE 11TH.

THAT'S OKAY. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER, BECAUSE IT WAS VERY BRAVE FOR YOU TO DO THAT AND YOU LED AND SERVED WITH SUCH DISTINCTION AND THAT ALLOWED MANY OF US TO BE UP HERE.

SO THANK YOU. I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT AS MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE JUST RECOGNIZED, YES, WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME THIS MORNING RECOGNIZING THE VARIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF SO MANY COMMUNITIES, IN PARTICULAR THOUGH, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT WE PROBABLY HEAR ABOUT AND READ ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHEN TEACHERS ARE AFRAID TO PUT UP A PICTURE OF THEIR LOVED ONE IN THEIR CLASSROOM. RIGHT? WHEN TRANS SERVICE MEMBERS ARE LITERALLY BEING KICKED OUT OF THE SERVICE RIGHT HERE IN MILITARY CITY U.S.A. WHEN FAMILIES ARE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY STAY HERE OR NOT BASED ON THE CARE THEIR CHILD IS OR IS NOT ABLE TO GET. OF COURSE, THE TALENT THAT OUR BELOVED CITY BECAUSE OF THAT. I THINK IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT REMINDER AND CALL TO ACTION FOR US, MARIA, AS WE LOOK AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES. RIGHT? IT'S NOT ONLY LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH. IT'S DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH. HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT OUR HOUSING INVESTMENTS WITH THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THE CLOSET BASED ON SOME OF THE LIMITED OPTIONS THAT THEY HAVE.

SO I THINK YOU HAVE HEARD HERE VERY STRONGLY FROM MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT SAN ANTONIO IS A PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY FEELS WELCOMED AND RESPECTED.

SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE BRAVERY TO LEAD OUR COMMUNITY SO WELL.

THANK YOU.

[00:55:05]

THEY ARE NICE TO HAVE, BUT WE -- THAT PRIDE ROLLS ON.

LET ME ALSO AS A POINT OF PRIVILEGE, I KNOW WE HAVE SPECIAL VISITORS FROM MEXICO. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT BIT OF A LAST MINUTE NOTIFICATION YOU WERE HERE. IF YOU WOULD STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.

WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE. ONE OF OUR SISTER CITIES.

YOU. WELCOME. IT WASN'T ON THE

SCHEDULE. >> I HATE TO ASK YOU TO STAND AGAIN, BUT PLEASE, OUR SPECIAL GUESTS FROM MEXICO, PLEASE STAND. IT IS MY HONOR TO WELCOME YOU TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THIS MRNING.

TO OUR FRIENDS AND FUTURE LEADERS, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU HERE FOR THIS DAY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP. PROUDLY ORGANIZED BY THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WORLD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALAMO COLLEGES.

TODAY IS ABOUT INSPIRATION, CONNECTIVITY, AND DISCOVERY. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT THAT DEFINES SAN ANTONIO, A CITY THAT'S BUILT BY DREAMERS AND DOERS. THROUGH TODAY'S SESSIONS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO MEET LOCAL LEADERS, EXPLORE OUR BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM, AND LEARN HOW PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CITIES LIKE SAN ANTONIO AND ONE OF OUR SISTER CITIES CAN CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND COLLABORATION. OUR HOPE IS THAT THIS EXPERIENCE TODAY INSPIRES YOU TO THINK BOLDLY, ACT WITH PURPOSE, AND CONTINUE BUILDING BRIDGES THAT EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS. SO ONCE AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL, WELCOME TO SAN ANTONIO.

WE HAVE A GREAT CITY OF CULTURE, CREATIVITY, AND ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

WE'RE PROUD TO SHARE THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW YOUR PASSION AND LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE.

FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, WASHINGTON NAVARRO TO PLEASE COME UP.

HIS ORGANIZATION IS NAMED THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WORLD, AND WE WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS CONTINUED EFFORTS TO FOSTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY HERE IN OUR GREAT CITY.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, PLEASE DO. >> YES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS ACTUALLY FOR THEM.

WHEN ALAMO COLLEGES ASKED ME TO CREATE A ENTREPRENEURSHIP, I WANT TO START WITH THIS MEETING. I WANT TO SHOW THEM WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS HOW DIVERSE -- HOW DIVERSE WE ARE. WE TALK ABOUT -- TODAY WE TALK ABOUT MILITARY. TODAY WE TALK ABOUT LGBT.

TODAY WE TALK ABOUT SO MANY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE. I WANT ALL OF YOU TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE HAVE OVER HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN MANY PLACES, AND I TELL YOU IT'S NOT THE SAME. SO THIS IS WHAT SAN ANTONIO IS ABOUT.

I'M EXCITED FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW US, FOR YOU TO GET TO BECOME THE AMBASSADOR FOR SAN ANTONIO BACK IN MEXICO BECAUSE SAN ANTONIO'S OPEN FOR YOU AND IS WELCOME TO YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

>> CHAIR VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. I WAS THERE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME IN SEPTEMBER, LAST YEAR IN SEPTEMBER, VISITING AND SIGNING THE SISTER CITY AGREEMENT, MAKING THE PLEDGE, AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE. I LOVED THE CITY, LOVED THE CONNECTION. WE HAVE A WHOLE ART PIECE, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR WHERE WE TALK ABOUT WHERE IT PLAYS AN INFLUENCE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT.

AS THE CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, I WANT YOU TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHERE WE CAN DO BUSINESS AND HOW WE CAN GROW BOTH ECONOMIES HERE. YOU ARE THE FUTURE.

I HAVE MET YOUR LEADERS. THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT YOU. WE ARE EXCITED THAT YOU'RE HERE, AND SO PLEASE ENJOY THIS DAY TO ASK TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO SAN ANTONIO IS AND HOW YOU CAN GET CONNECTED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WASHINGTON THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO JUST SEEING YOU COME VISIT BECAUSE THERE IS A DIRECT FLIGHT FROM SAN ANTONIO. I PLAN TO GET ON IT SOON FOR A CONCERT MAYBE. I LOOK FORWARD TO KIND OF SEEING YOU GUYS AND

[01:00:06]

THANK YOU.

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, RATHER.

JACK FINGER. >> WELL, MAYOR AND SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL, I'M JACK M. FINGER AND I COULDN'T HELP NOTICING SOME OF THE CEREMONIAL ITEMS YOU HAD TODAY ESPECIALLY A COUPLE CELEBRATING THE LESBIAN, GAY, COMMUNITIMENT I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY THAT WE CAN CELEBRATE STRAIGHT HETEROSEXUAL HISTORY MONTH. YES, WELL --

>> MAYOR JONES: YOU NEED TO STAY ON TOPIC. YOU'RE SPEAKING ON ITEM 15. THAT IS NOT THE PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, MADAM MAYOR. ITEM NUMBER 15 IS ABOUT LOOKING AT THE AUDITORS REPORT AND SEEING WHAT OUR CITY AUDITOR IS AUDITING AROUND HERE. I WAS LOOKING AT THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS AND I'M GLAD TO SEE A COUPLE TOPICS OUT OF THE 30-SOME-ODD TOPICS THERE THAT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS TAKING A GOOD LOOK AT.

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT YELLOW H HIGHLIGHTED AREA RIGHT THERE, NUMBER 7 ON THAT LIST. WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? FOCUS IT IN THERE.

THERE YOU GO. YEAH. LET'S SEE. WHAT DOES IT SAY? OKAY. BASICALLY FROM THE HOMELESS SERVICES AND STRATEGIES. CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES DETERMINE THE CORRECT AGREEMENT WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES, HOMELESS SERVICES AND MANAGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND CONTRACTUAL TERMS. I'M GLAD TO SEE SOMEBODY'S TAKING A LOOK AT THAT. THE QUESTION IS, WILL THEY LOOK AT THE HOMELESS HOTELS THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED AND WHETHER THE PEOPLE THERE ARE JUST THERE TEMPORARILY OR IF THEY'VE BEEN MAKING IT A PERMANENT HOME. MR. AUDITOR, FLIP THE PAGE EARLIER -- YEAH. THERE WE GO. THE LEFT ONE THERE.

SEE WHAT THAT ONE SAYS THERE. NO.

THAT'S NOT IT. PARDON FOR THE DELAY. THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, I'M GLAD TO SEE THE BEXAR COUNTY JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT IS TAKING PLACE DETERMINING WHETHER THE JOINT ELECTION SERVICES AGREEMENT ALIGNS WITH APPLICABLE STATE ELECTION CODES AND IS COMPLIANCE WITH CONTRACT YOU'LL PROVISIONS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

YES. I AM THANKFUL THAT SOMEBODY IS ACTUALLY TAKING A LOOK AT THAT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY ELECTION FRAUD TAKING PLACE AND NOW, THE BIG QUESTION IS, THIS ONE AS WELL AS ANY OTHERS THAT HAPPENED, WHEN THE AUDITOR FINDS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE DEFRAUDING THE CITY, DOING BAD THINGS, WHO GETS SPANKED IN THIS REGARD? GOOD QUESTION. YOU MAY WANT TO ASK. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: THOSE ARE ONE AND ONLY SPEAKER.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT. >> MAYOR JONES: IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

COUNCILMEMBERS ARE THERE ANY FOLKS THAT WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT?

WE'LL GO DOWN THE LINE. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: I WOULD LIKE

[01:05:06]

THIS ORDINANCE IS APPROVING WHAT WE PUT FORWARD ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, OUR CITY AUDITOR PRESENTED THE PROPOSED 2026 AUDIT PLAN TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WHICH I CHAIR, AND THIS WAS APPROVED AND IT CAME WITH INPUT BASED ON INPUT FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE CITY MANAGERS, DEPUTY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS AND SELECT DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PLAN.

IT'S VERY AMBITIOUS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE RESULTS.

AGAIN, WHAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR IS THAT THE TEAM THAT IS GETTING AUDITED AND THE AUDITOR COMMUNICATE VERY WELL AND THEN WE SEE THE COURSE OF ACTION IN THE AUDIT PLAN. I ASK ALL OF Y'ALL TO TUNE IN TO OUR AUDIT MEETINGS AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON. TUNE IN WHEN WE HAVE THESE TOPICS BROUGHT HERE. SO ACCOUNTABILITY IS KEY HERE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, AND I'M PROUD TO SEE IT CONTINUE. THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I'M EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT 9 WHICH IS THE APPOINT TO THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION FOR A TERM UP UNTIL 2027. EARLIER ON IN MY TENURE ON COUNCIL, WE WERE ON THE MIDST OF DISCUSSIONS AND HOW TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HAD RELEASED WAS A STUDY FOCUSED ON YOUTH THAT FOUND THAT SAN ANTONIO'S YOUTH WERE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THE WAYS NOT SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CAN IMPACT ACADEMICS, BEHAVIOR, AND SO MUCH MORE.

SO DURING THAT CONVERSATION, JUSTIN, MY TEAM, AND COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE WORKED TO EARMARK 100,000 FOR MINI GRANTS FOR THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION WHERE THEY THEN DISCUSSED AND DEBATED PARAMETERS TO DISBURSE THOSE FUNDS AND THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE'VE BEEN ALGEBRA TO SEE THE LEADERSHIP BE FOSTERED WITHIN THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND THROUGH ONE OF THE COMMISSION MEETINGS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, THE YOUTH WERE REQUESTING A BUDGET TOWN HALL. I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR CITY MANAGER ERIK WALSH HELPED FAS I WILL TATE THAT AND WITH THE FOLLOWING TOWN HALL, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THE CONTINUED AND FUTURE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

BUILDING A BETTER SAN ANTONIO MEANS PREPARING FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION AND BY PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND ALLOWING THEM TO DETERMINE HOW WE INVEST PUBLIC DOLLARS IS HOW WE START AND MOVE THAT -- PREPARE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

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

SO I DID 21 APPOINTMENTS OR REAPPOINTMENTS THIS WEEK, AND OBVIOUSLY I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THAT WERE ABLE TO COME TODAY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE AND I KNOW YOU HAVE GREAT EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE AND WE DID PRIORITIZE DISTRICT 9 RESIDENTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. SO I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR STEPPING FORWARD TO SERVE ON THESE COMMITTEES.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MOSES WHO IS GOING OUR ZONING COMMISSIONER.

HE'S A FRIEND OF MINE AND AN EXCELLENT REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY.

HE'S A FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONER FROM THE CITY OF FOLSOM, CALIFORNIA, WITH LAND USE AND ZONING EXPERIENCE, AND HE'S A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOA. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO TAKE A PICTURE. I HAVE RONALD MARLIN WITH THE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD. HE'S A RETIRED CIVIL ENGINEER AND VETERAN FOR THE U.S. AIR FORCE WITH 40 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE. IT'S A CHURCH AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER.

HE'S DEDICATED TO ANIMAL ADVOCATE MANAGING A FERAL CAT COLONY.

HE'S ALSO A BOARD MEMBER FOR HIS HOA IN WALKER RANCH.

CELESTE TIDWELL HAS BECOME A DEAR FRIEND AND I'M EXCITED TO APPOINT HERE TO THE STATUS OF WOMEN COMMISSION. SHE'S A LIFELONG PUBLIC SERVANT WITH THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE NORTHEAST ISD.

SHE'S PASSIONATE ABOUT REPRESENTING EVERYONE IN EQUITY.

SHE'S REFLECTING THE DIVERSE CITY AND LEADERSHIP.

SHE'S THE MOTHER OF FOUR DAUGHTERS, A VOCAL ADVOCATE FOR ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES. MR. DANIEL MEZA IS GOING TO BE OUR CITY, COUNTY JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS.

THAT'S A MOUTHFUL. HE'S BEEN SERVING ON THAT BOARD AND HE'S RETIRED DIRECTOR OF GRANT DEVELOPMENT FOR EDGEWOOD ISD AND FORMER ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR FOR AARP OF TEXAS. HE HAS A MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, DECADES OF ADVOCACY

[01:10:03]

HE'S A FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR. KNOWN HIM QUITE A WHILE. HE'S A U.S. NAVY VETERAN AND ON THE COMMISSION.

HE'S ACTIVE WITH THE KNIGHTED OF COLUMBUS AND THE "AMERICAN LEGION." HE'S A BOARD MEMBER OFFENDED HIS HOA AND OFFERS EXPERIENCE AND INSIGHT TO GUIDE OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. MR. STEVEN JORDAN IS OUR SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY COMMITTEE APPOINTEE.

HE IS THE CO-OWNER AND CEO [INDISCERNIBLE] PROVIDING IT CONSULTANT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. HE'S SELF MADE EARNING A GED AND ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND ULTIMATELY A BAAS IN COMMUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS FROM TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO. HE IS COMMITTED TO HIS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AND SERVES AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE EAST SIDE PREGNANCY CARE CENTER.

THEY SERVED AS FOSTER PARENTS AND ADOPTED TWO OF THEIR FOUR CHILDREN.

ELI IS SAN ANTONIO HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTEE. HE IS A FRIEND OF MY FRIEND BENNY.

I'M SO EXCITE $HE'S DOING THIS FOR US. HE'S AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD. HE'S THE DEAN'S SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT AND THREE TIME DEAN'S LIST HONOREE. HE'S AN BE 0 EVERYBODY MEMBER OF A FRATERNITY AND THE READING AND WRITING TUTOR AT UIW AND VOLUNTEER. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AND YOUTH PERSPECTIVE HE WILL BRING ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION POLICIES.

MR. JOE IS OUR NEW PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD APPOINTEE.

HE'S THE ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING AT UTSA. HE'S THE TEXAS RADIO HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE WITH A CAREER IN MEDIA AND PUBLIC SERVICE, FORMER MAYOR PRO TEM AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN CASTLE HILLS. EXTENSIVE MUNICIPAL PLANNING EXPERIENCE AND COMMITMENT TO PARKS DEVELOPMENT.

HE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ADDITION. MR. MICHAEL TERENO OUR VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD COMMISSIONER. HE IS THE COMMANDER OF VFW POST 76 FROM 2023 TO 2025 AND OVERSEES 19VFW POSTS AS JUNIOR ADVISE COMMANDER, DISTRICT 20 SAN ANTONIO. HE'S RETIRED POST 911.

USAF SENIOR LEADER AND MEDIC WITH DEEP EXPERTISE IN MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING.

HE EARNED HIS MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK IN 2020, MAINTAINED TEXAS LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORK I STATUS SINCE 202 IS AND A CERTIFIED DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELOR. HE'S WITH BROKEN WARRIOR ANGELS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO -- WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO HOMELESS VETERANS ACROSS THE SAN ANTONIO AREA. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE EXCELLENT EXPERTISE FROM DISTRICT 9 AND I'M SO HONORED THAT YOU ALL WILL BE SERVING ON ALL THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. I WOULD LOVE TO SNAP A PHOTO WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME FOR SO LONG.

>> MAYOR JONES: THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM

[3. Ordinance authorizing submission of an application and acceptance upon award of grant funds from the State of Texas Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program in the amount of $5,000,000 with a cash match of $10,000,000. Funding for the City’s cash match is included in the FY 2026 Capital Budget. [Jeff Coyle, Assistant City Manager; Juan G. Ayala, Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department]]

[01:15:03]

>> ITEM THREE IS AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE UPON AWARD OF A GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS DEFENSE ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5 MILLION WITH A CASH MATCH OF $10 MILLION FUNDING FOR THE CASH MATCH IS INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 CAPITAL BUDGET.

>> MAYOR JONES: THE OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS HAS A

PRESENTATION. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEF THIS TOPIC.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE PURPOSE TODAY IS TO REQUEST FROM YOU ALL CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT 2025 GRANT DEFENSE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE GRANT IN DEFENSE OF THE AGENCY.

BEFORE I CONTINUE, THIS HAS BEEN A PROCESS THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. WHEN I ARRIVED HERE IN 2016, I HEARD ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT. I WANT TO THANK SOME OF THE PARTNERS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH SINCE THAT TIME.

I KNOW WE MENTIONED ADMIRAL B BONO. SHE WAS STILL ON ACTIVE DUTY, SHE SAID CAN WE BRING ELEMENTS OR FUNCTIONS TO SAN ANTONIO AND THE REASON BEING IS BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT AND WE DO WANT TO HAVE ADDITIONAL FORCES HERE WHETHER THEY BE CIVILIANS OR MILITARY TO COME TO MILITARY CITY U.S.A.

BUT SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, I KNOW BOB IS BACK HERE. BOB, RAISE YOUR HAND. THE SAN ANTONIO GREATER SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS ALSO VERY INSTRUMENTAL.

WE ALSO HAVE MR. JOHN EVANS HERE WHO REPRESENTS THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY. SOME BACKGROUND, THE BUILDING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO RENOVATE IS A BOARD. IT'S CALLED THE SOUTH PAVILION. THAT'S WHAT I WILL REFER TO IT FROM NOW ON.

IT WAS THE PREFERRED LOCATION. THEY HAVE LOOKED AROUND THE U.S. THERE ARE MANY SITES WHERE WE HAVE MEDICAL SUPPORT AND MEDICAL FACILITIES AROUND THE U.S.

SO THEY WERE LOOKING AT CALIFORNIA. THEY WERE LOOKING AT COLORADO. THEY WERE LOOKING AT VIRGINIA AND WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WAS A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD GET OUT OF HIGH COST LEASES TO INCLUDE WASHINGTON DC. THEY PICKED SAN ANTONIO OFFICIALLY IN 2023. THE BUILDING REQUIRES MAJOR RENOVATION, MAJOR MODERNIZATION, AND WE HAVE TWO ESTIMATES THAT CAME IN FROM CONTRACTORS. ONE WAS FOR $36 MILLION AND THE OTHER WAS FOR $40 MILLION. AGAIN, IT REDUCES THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY'S GOAL OF REDUCING HIGH LEASE COSTS. IT CREATES APPROXIMATELY 560 NEW JOBS. THESE ARE NUMBERS WE'VE GOTTEN FROM THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY. THESE NUMBERS WILL GO BACK AND FORTH, BUT THESE ARE PROXIMATE NUMBERS. WHAT I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU IS THAT ONCE WE ATTRACT ANY TYPE OF FUNCTION HERE, WHETHER IT BE OPERATIONAL OR MEDICAL, IT TENDS TO ATTRACT MORE FOLKS TO COME TO SAN ANTONIO ONCE THEY COME HERE AND THEY SEE HOW, YOU KNOW -- THE GREATNESS OF OUR CITY AND HOW WE SUPPORT THE MILITARY.

SOME HISTORICAL TIME LINE, 2015, AGAIN, ADMIRAL BONO WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND BEGAN CONVERSATIONS, BRINGING IT HERE.

IN 2018, I WAS IN A MEETING WITH THE CITY, COUNTY, AND WE COMMITTED TOWARDS RENOVATING SOUTH BEACH. 2021, IT WAS CODIFIED IN THE MASTER PLAN. THIS IS IMPORTANT. IN 2023, THE AIR FORCE CAME OUT WITH A MESSAGE STATING THAT THE PREFERRED LOCATION WAS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. IN 2024, WE NEEDED SOMEBODY TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THE PROJECT, AND BEXAR COUNTY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATEMENT THEY ARE NOT HERE TODAY, BUT THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB HERE SO FAR BECAUSE WE MEET EVERY FRIDAY WITH THEM. THEY ARE PART OF THE MILITARY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE, AND THAT'S WHO IS GUIDING THIS PROJECT AS OF NOW. THERE'S A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE. WE WERE WAITING FOR THAT LETTER BECAUSE WE COULD REALLY -- WE COULD DO A LOT OF THINGS INFORMALLY, BUT WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FORMALLY UNTIL THAT LETTER CAME OUT, THAT MEMORANDUM CAME OUT. IN 2023, IT CAME OUTER AGAIN, THE PREFERRED LOCATION WAS SAN ANTONIO. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, THIS HAS BEEN A TANGIBLE INVESTMENT. IT IS SOMETHING WE'VE COMMITTED TO. IT'S IN OUR BUDGET, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, $10

[01:20:05]

THEY ARE ALSO INVESTED OR COMMITTED $10 MILLION AND THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO APPLY FOR A GRANT. THEY ARE GOING BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT ASKING THE SAME THING NEXT WEEK, I BELIEVE. NOW, WE'VE COMMITTED 30 MILLION, AND THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN 6 MILLION AND 10 MILLION.

THERE'S NOT AN OBLIGATION FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO FUND THE ADDITIONAL 6 OR 10 MILLION. I'VE SPOKEN TO DHA AT LENGTH, AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR WAYS ALONG WITH THEM, ALONG WITH JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO TO REDUCE THAT COST AND WE CAN ALSO, I THINK, COUNT ON THE HEALTH AGENCY -- JOHN, I'M SPEAKING FOR YOU, BUT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE -- OR THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FUND THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING OVER 30 MILLION. SO WHAT'S COMMUNITY IMPACT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IN MY DEPARTMENT AND ALSO IN THE CITY IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. MY DEPARTMENT USED TO BE UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT YEARS AGO, AND EVERY UNIFORM THAT COMES THROUGH OUR CITY IS A JOB. I'M JUST TALKING THE UNIFORM. IF YOU MULTIPLY THAT TIMES THREE WHICH IS A NUMBER USED BY THE MILITARY, THEN YOU COUNT THE FOLKS THAT COME WITH THEM, DEPENDENTS, FOLKS THAT GO TO SCHOOL, BUY HOUSES, GO TO STORES, THESE KINDS OF THINGS. IT INFUSES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS ISN'T TANGIBLE, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MILITARY CITY U.S.A. IT STRENGTHENS THAT RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO AND THE MILITARY. WE HAVE A TON OF AGREEMENTS WITH THEM, AND, YOU KNOW, AN OLD -- THE PREVIOUS MAYOR USED TO SAY AND I THINK I AGREE IS THAT SAN ANTONIO'S CONSIDERED ONE LARGE INSTALLATION AND BELIEVE ME, DURING COVID, DURING OTHER EVENTS, WE REALLY DO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THEM. IT DEMONSTRATES A JOINT INVESTMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY, THE CITY, STATE, TO SECURE FUNDS. A LOT OF KUDOS GO TO JEFF WEBB CENTER, BOB FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, AND THEN BEXAR COUNTY WHO IS NOT HERE. WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.

SINCE 2015, WE SECURED A DEAAG GRANT IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY COMMANDERS.

2016, AGAIN, THEY BOUGHT AN EASEMENT AROUND RANDOLPH TO PROTECT THAT AGAINST ENCROACHMENT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FLY SAFE AVIATION MISSIONS.

IN 2017, THE DEAAG GRANT HELPED THE AIRFIELD FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS. THAT WAS THE OLDEST. THEY FINALLY GOT IT DONE. IN 2021, WE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED THAT 5 MILLION GRANT AND IT WAS FOR FORCE PROTECTION, PERIMETER FENCING, INSTALLATION OF A POWER LINE TO IMPROVE FLIGHT SAFETY, AND ALSO SOME REDUNDANT UTILITY WORK. WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THIS SINCE 2016 WHEN I GOT HERE, AND EVERY YEAR, WE GO TO THE PENTAGON MAYOR. YOU WENT WITH US THIS LAST TIME WHEN WE ADVOCATED FOR DHA. WE'VE DONE THAT EVER SINCE THEN AND ALSO SOME OF OUR OTHER PARTNERS, CITY PARTNERS, STATE PARTNERS, MUNICIPAL OR COUNTY PARTNERS HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THIS ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR DHA TO COME HERE TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. SO MY RECOMMENDATION, STAFF RECOMMENDATION, APPROVE TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE 2025 GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF THE DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY. I'M READY TO ANSWER YOUR

QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. THANK YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS POINT. CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM THREE SO WE

CAN AGAIN COUNCIL DISCUSSION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. LET ME START OFF.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. WHEN WE WENT TO DC EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT WAS REALLY ABOUT HAVING BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE FOLKS UNDERSTAND WE ARE READY AND WILLING TO PARTNER, TO MAKE SURE, LOOK, AS NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR IS MAKING SOME DECISIONS ABOUT HOW BEST TO INVEST IN AND PROTECT THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE TO ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. RIGHT? AND SO WE KNOW HAVING SEEN FIRSTHAND SOME OF THOSE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WELL POSTURED FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING, THERE ARE GOING TO BE CHANGES IN MISSIONS AND CONSOLIDATIONS,

[01:25:03]

I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS APPLICATION OF FUNDS. AND IN THE 100 OR SO DAYS I HAVE SPENT TIME WITH MANY FOLKS WHO ARE CRITICAL IN THIS ECOSYSTEM.

WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PORT LEADERSHIP. WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MAJOR CYBER COMPANIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. FORWARD EDGE, IN FACT, WE JUST MET WITH THEM AND HOSTED NUMEROUS TAIWANESE DELEGATIONS AS THEY LOOKED TO PARTNER HERE. SOME OF THOSE WHICH WILL HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE AND HOW WE SUPPORT THEM. I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT FOLKS LEADING AND HELPING US, MAKING SURE THAT TABLE IS AS ROBUST AS IT CAN BE. I KNOW THAT'S TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE MILITARY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE . AS WE'RE LOOKING AT NOT ONLY KIND OF HOW DO WE HOLD ON TO WHAT WE'VE GOT BUT HOW ARE WE MOST INCLUSIVE AND STRATEGIC IN LIGHT OF WHEN THIS STOOD UP, MILITARY TRANSITION TASK FORCE, WHEN THAT STOOD UP SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE DIDN'T THINK OF THE U.T. SAN ANTONIO MERGER AND ALL THESE OTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE NOW HAVE. SO THIS ONE GRANT THAT WE'RE APPLYING FOR IS IMPORTANT IN THE LARGER CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT STRENGTHENING THE DEFENSE ECOSYSTEM, RECRUITING COMPANIES HERE AND ALSO STRENGTHENING THE TIES THAT ARE SO UNIQUE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FRANKLY IT JUMPS OUT RIGHT AWAY, THOSE TAIWANESE DELEGATIONS THAT I HAVE HOSTED.

THIS IS NOT IN HOUSTON. THIS IS NOT IN AUSTIN, IT'S UNIQUELY HERE.

AS WE LOOK TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT MISSIONS, HOW DO WE ALSO STRENGTHEN THAT. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE AND CONTINUE WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THE TASK FORCE IS APPROPRIATELY SCOPED AND STRATEGIC. OKAY.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE.

COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. I WANT TO JUST THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN THIS REGARD. I KNOW THAT WE'VE ADVOCATED FOR THE RENOVATION FOR THE PAVILION SINCE 2019. SO WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR SIX YEARS OR SO. IT'S AN IMPORTANT GRANT AND IT CAN DO A LOT FOR OUR CITY. WE ARE MILITARY CITY, USA. BUT AS, AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE SLIDES THERE, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THIS CAN HAVE FOR OUR CITY COULD BE VERY, VERY SIGNIFICANT. IN THAT REGARD YOU MENTIONED JEFF WEBSTER WHO HAS BEEN AN INSTRUMENTAL PART OF THIS WITH HIS EFFORTS AT THE CHAMBER.

JEFF, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU WANT TO MENTION HERE.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER.

FIRST OFF, I'M ONE OF THE TRI-CHAIRS WITH THE MTTF, ALONG WITH THE CITY.

GRANT MOODY FROM THE COUNTY AND MYSELF AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER . I WANT TO START BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO JUST SPOKE. GENERAL AYALA STEPPED IN IN THE INTERIM AND TO REALLY BE A LEADER TO HELP AND SPEAK UP. GENERAL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. WE HAVE HAD A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND CONVERSATION. BUT I THINK THE MAYOR'S COMMENTS WERE SPOT ON.

THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PLUS-UP IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT THERE'S TWO SIDES OF THIS EQUATION WE HAVE TO KEEP IN CONTEXT.

THERE'S THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THIS, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROWING AND KEEPING AND PROTECTING OUR MISSIONS HERE. BUT THERE'S POLITICAL AT PLAY. THIS IS OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SAN ANTONIO, THERE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND THIS COUNTRY PROTECTING THEIR BASES.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE TRIPS LIKE YOU MADE, MAYOR, TO CERTIFY AND GUARANTEE THAT WE ARE MILITARY CITY, USA AND MY TRIPS TO THE PENTAGON I ALWAYS SEE US RECEIVED DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY I HAVE EVER SEEN UP THERE. I WOULD ASK THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MTTF. WE'RE MEETING WEEKLY WITH

[01:30:06]

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING THAT CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS CITY, NOT JUST IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO BUT IN GENERATIONS TO COME.

AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THAT AS A CITY.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS DEAAG GRANT. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND COUNCILMAN, THANK YOU FOR CALLING ME UP.

>> WHYTE: THANK YOU, JEFF. JUST TO REITERATE YOUR POINT THERE.

I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH NOT ONLY OUR STATE GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO OUR FOLKS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST WHEN THESE SORT OF THINGS ARE CONSIDERED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, GENERAL.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE. THANKS, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: CHAIR VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING WITH THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, FORT SAM HOUSTON.

I WANT TO THANK GENERAL AYALA AND JEFF COYLE, NOW LEADING THE OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS, FOR THE SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE GROWTH AND ENHANCEMENT OF MILITARY CITY, USA . THIS SHOWS THAT WORKING TOGETHER AND NOT IN SILOS CREATES POSITIVE IMPACTS FOR THE CITY. EVERYTHING I HEAR ABOUT THIS, THE MEDICAL SECTOR JOBS, PUTTING US UP THERE, BECOMING THE SOUTHERN WALTER REED BUT JOINT BASE FORT SAM HOUSTON IS KEY . WE NEED TO HAVE THINGS READY TO GO. THANK YOU FOR THESE EFFORTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS TODAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEE HOW WE CAN ENSURE SAN ANTONIO'S ROLE AS MILITARY

CITY, USA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR JONES:

COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JEFF AND GENERAL AYALA. I'M GOING TO SHOUT OUT TO MOODY, EVEN THOUGH HE IS NOT HERE . I FULLY SUPPORT THIS PROJECT.

I LEARNED QUITE A BIT ABOUT IT WHILE I WAS WORKING AT THE COUNTY.

I AM TRACKING IT. ANY INVESTMENT THAT GROWS AND MODERNIZES AND PROTECTS JBSA AND ITS MISSIONS DIRECTLY IS STRENGTHENING OUR CITY.

AND THESE FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF A CRITICAL JBSA FACILITY, EXPANDING OUR CAPACITY TO SERVE THE MANY MEDICAL MISSIONS THAT WE HAVE AND TRAINING OPERATIONS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR OUR DEFENSE AND HEALTH SECTORS. OUR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE OUR ONGOING SUPPORT AND STRENGTHENING JBSA'S INFRASTRUCTURE IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT WE CAN SHOW OUR COMMITMENT TO THEM.

THE MILITARY AND MEDICAL INDUSTRIES ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED IN SAN ANTONIO'S ECONOMY AND PROTECTING THOSE ASSETS MEANS PROTECTING LOCAL JOBS, INNOVATION, AND OUR CITY'S LONG-TERM GROWTH. I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

IS THERE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL OR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION CONSIDERATIONS WE NEED TO

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RENOVATING THIS 1930S ERA BUILDING? >> AYALA: YES.

THE BUILDING IS A HISTORICAL BUILDING. THAT'S BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND THEY HAVE DONE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. ALL THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY THE CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE BEEN HIRED ON TO DO THE PREP WORK FOR THE BUILDING.

>> SPEARS: THEN DO YOU HAVE A TIMELINE WHEN WE CAN -- DO YOU KNOW THE

TIMELINE? >> AYALA: I DON'T KNOW THE TIMELINE BUT WE ARE DOING IT VERY DELIBERATELY NOW. MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE EXTRA $6 MILLION OR $10 MILLION, WHICH I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL. THEN WE WILL GO WITH A TIMELINE. NOW, THIS GRANT, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS DIVIDE UP THE WORK. WE KNOW WHAT THE SCOPE OF WORK IS RIGHT NOW FROM THE CONTRACTOR. BUT WHAT I CAN DO AND I WILL DO IS SHARE IT WITH YOU ONCE WE GET A SOLID TIMELINE FOR THIS BUILDING TO HAPPEN -- FOR THIS RENOVATION TO

HAPPEN. >> SPEARS: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROJECT MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: YOU MAY WANT TO SPEAK. THE TIMELINE, AS OBVIOUSLY, EBBED AND FLOWED. I THINK TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS UP HERE ABOUT EVEN WITH THIS GRANT, KIND OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. A LOT OF THAT IS NOT IN OUR

HANDS, RIGHT? >> AYALA: THAT'S CORRECT. >> MAYOR JONES: DO YOU WANT TO LAY THAT OUT FOR FOLKS IN CASE IT INFORMS ANY FUTURE COMMENTS?

> >> AYALA: I WILL TELL YOU THE DEAAG GRANT IS TWO-YEAR MONEY. WE START A LOT OF THINGS WE NEVER CUT THE RIBBON TO.

I'M HOPING TO CUT THE RIBBON TO THIS ONE. YES, WE WILL LAY IT OUT IN

DETAIL. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ.

>> GA >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I KNOW TEN YEARS IS A LONG TIME AND IT TAKES PATIENCE AND COLLABORATION.

WE ARE LEARNING THAT PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION MATTERS FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS. I WANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT SLIDE 7 ON COMMUNITY IMPACT.

THIS SHOULD BE ON EVERY PRESENTATION THAT WE GIVE IN THE CITY.

[01:35:02]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WORK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A RIBBON CUTTING.

>> MAYOR JONES: CHAIR MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO SAY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PARTICULAR MISSIONS, IT'S ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK AND FORT SAM'S SUCCESS IS LACKLAND'S SUCCESS WHICH THE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S SUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

THANK YOU TO BOTH JEFFS FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS ALSO AND THE CHAMBER'S ACTIVITY ON THIS. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: HAVE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS

SPOKEN? COUNCILWOMAN. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.

JUST AS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ECHOED, JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF GENERAL AYALA.

BOTH THE JEFFS, AS THE COUNCILMAN PUT IT. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING BUT IT TAKES LEADERSHIP TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO GO AFTER ALL THE GRANTS THAT WE CAN TO HELP SUPPORT WHATEVER THE PROJECT MAY BE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. WHETHER IT'S MILITARY, HEALTH, OR HOUSING, OUR CITY EMPLOYEES ARE ALWAYS MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SHAKING EVERY TREE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE INFUSING THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR, GENERAL AYALA AS WELL. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU BUT I KNOW YOU CAN HANDLE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK.

AND WE KNOW THERE'S, UNFORTUNATELY WITH A SHUT DOWN RIGHT NOW THERE'S PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF WORK HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BUT PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU KEEP US UP AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ENGAGE OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION, WE WILL DO.

THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE ITEM 3.

PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES. WE WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO REMAIN SEATED UNTIL I COMPLETE READING THE CAVEATS. OH, I'M SORRY.

[City Manager's Report  ]

>>

DO YOU HAVE A REPORT THIS WEEK? >> WALSH: YES, MA'AM.

JUST ONE THING. I WANTED TO SHARE THIS WEEK'S EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT VIDEO. IS AN EMPLOYEE FROM OUR PUBLIC WORKS STORMWATER DIVISION. GENE MARTINEZ HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR 22 YEARS, HAS WORKED IN THREE DEPARTMENTS BUT HAS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HER TIME, THE LAST 16 YEARS, IN PUBLIC WORKS IN OUR STORMWATER DIVISION. YOU MAY RECOGNIZE HER ON THE VIDEO . SHE HAS PROGRESSED IN HER CAREER WITH THE CITY AND IS VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE CLEARING OF WATERWAYS. LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO.

>> MY FAVORITE PART OF WORKING WITH THE CITY IS GETTING TO BE INVOLVED WITH OUR COMMUNITY. PROFESSIONALISM AND TEAMWORK ARE THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE STRIVE ON. STORMWATER OPERATIONS A LOT OF TIMES IS TASKED TO HELP OUT OTHER DEPARTMENTS WITH A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO. EVERYTHING WE DO, WE DO IT WITH CLASS. WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR WORK AND I BELIEVE I WORK WITH THE BEST DIVISION WE HAVE IN PUBLIC WORKS. WE'RE HERE ADD THE INDIAN CREEK CLEANUP AND WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT WITH TRASH GRABBERS AND ANY GIVEAWAYS WE OFFER TO OUR COMMUNITY . WE MOW AND MAINTAIN ALL THE GREEN AREAS IN SAN ANTONIO. WE REMOVE DEBRIS FROM THE CHANNELS TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN MAINTAINABLE CONDITION AND WE ALSO MANAGE THE WATER ON THE RIVER WALK.

I DO REMEMBER THE RIVER PROGRAM. WE COME OUT AND REMIND PET OWNERS TO PICK UP AFTER THEIR PET. WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED ADOPT A SPOT. WE HAVE ABOUT 30,000 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CITY.

WE ADOPT THOSE OUT TO ANYBODY WHO IS VOLUNTEERING TO PICK UP TRASH IN THEIR COMMUNITY. CURRENTLY TO DATE WE ARE AT 300 ACTIVE GROUPS AUDIO] FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS. EVERYTHING YOU DO SHOULD BE DONE WITH LOVE AND WITH GRATITUDE BECAUSE THAT'S HOW BIG THINGS ARE DONE. I FEEL LIKE THE WORK THAT WE DO IS SUCH BIG WORK FOR SAN ANTONIO THAT IT LEAVES AN IMPACT.

COUNCIL, SO ONE OF THE THINGS I TOOK AWAY FROM THE VIDEO WHEN I SAW IT WAS THAT I DID NOT REALIZE WE HAD OVER 300 ACTIVE GROUPS THAT HAD ADOPTED A SPOT, WHICH I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE OUGHT TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND. BUT THEY ARE CRITICAL TO KEEPING THE DRAINAGE WAYS CLEAR. OBVIOUSLY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE REMOVE THE BRUSH, MOW, AND DO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS BUT I THINK THAT'S A

[01:40:05]

GROUPS THAT ARE HELPING US. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

REALLY ALL OF OUR WORK TO MAKE SURE SAN ANTONIO REMAINS BEAUTIFUL.

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

SO THE TIME IS NOW 10:43 A.M. ON OCTOBER 9. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO DELIBERATE OR DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.087. PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.072. AND LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING THE RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THE TIME IS NOW 11:27 A.M. ON OCTOBER 9 AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.