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>> MAYOR JONES: ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING. THE TIME IS NOW 10:07 A.M.
ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025 AND THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.
SO I WILL ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENT ON ALL THE ITEMS AT THE SAME TIME.
AND EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR TWO MINUTES.
SO THIS WAS A BIT OF A LAST-MINUTE CHANGE HERE. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE MAKE A LINE AT THE MICROPHONE AND WE'LL BEGIN THE TIME ONCE YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR AFFILIATION. GO AHEAD.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF THIS IS IMPROMPTU, I'M NOT REALLY GOOD AT THINKING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. MY NAME IS DALE HANSON AND I'M HERE COMMENTING UPON ITEM NO. 12, THE CREATION OF A TRADES ADVISORY BOARD .
I BELIEVE THAT EVEN WITH HB 2127 ON THE BOOKS AT THE STATE LEVEL, I THINK IF THE COUNCIL WERE TO IMPLEMENT THIS, IT WOULD BE A NET POSITIVE.
IT WOULD GIVE WORKERS A VOICE ON CITY PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY THINGS COMING UP IN THE FUTURE. SAN ANTONIO IS FORECASTED TO GROW IMMENSELY.
AS A WORKER MYSELF, HAVING BUILT WITH MY OWN HANDS SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS GREAT CITY, I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA FOR WORKERS TO AT LEAST HAVE SOME INPUT ON HOW THINGS ARE MANAGED, ESPECIALLY IF CITY FUNDS ARE BEING USED.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MAYOR, APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I'M ALSO HERE IN MY CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE SAN ANTONIO AFL-CIO CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AND ON BEHALF OF WORKING FAMILIES REPRESENTED BY THE LABOR COUNCIL. WE RESPECTFULLY URGE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE SAN ANTONIO TRADES ADVISORY BOARD, ALSO KNOWN AS TAB, AS OUTLINED IN THE CCR SUBMITTED BY COUNCILWOMAN TERI CASTILLO AND COUNCILMAN JALEN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. THE TAB IS ENVISIONED AS A WORKER-CENTERED TASK FORCE PROVIDING FORMAL INPUT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON CITY PROJECTS, WORKFORCE POLICIES, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
ITS AIM IS TO PROTECT LABOR STANDARDS, ENSURE FAIR WAGES, AND PRIORITIZE LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTS. BY ESTABLISHING THIS BOARD, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL TAKE A MEANINGFUL STEP TOWARDS ENSURING THAT PUBLICLY-FUNDED PROJECTS BENEFIT THE LOCAL WORKFORCE AND THAT PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE SPENT IN WAYS THAT REFLECT THE CITY VALUES OF EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INCLUSION.
SO WE KNOW THAT THERE IS SIMILAR SETUPS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, WHERE BOARDS HAVE STRENGTHENED PUBLIC ACCOUNT AND EQUITY.
WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE TAB TODAY. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION THAT SAYS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THE TAB, HOWEVER WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ADVISORY BOARD AND WILL ONLY ADVISE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR. IN THE SPIRIT OF OTHER ADVISORY BOARDS THAT THE CITY HAS CREATED. WE AGAIN URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE TAB.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE LINE UP BEHIND THE MICROPHONE SO WE CAN GO THROUGH THIS FAIRLY QUICKLY.
THANK YOU. >> JAMES MACE, REGIONAL BUSINESS MANAGER, ALSO SAN ANTONIO BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL PRESIDENT . WE ARE ALSO IN FAVOR OF TAB.
WE SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF LABOR BEING REPRESENTED WHEN IT COMES TO POINTS OF LABOR AND CONSTRUCTION. MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE AFFECTED BY EVERY BUILDING OR INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT IN THIS TOWN. THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.
WE ALL FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE OUR TOWN BETTER. THE ONLY WAY OF DOING THAT IS TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE ON THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT. WE ARE IN THE TRENCHES. WE GOT OUR BLISTERS AND OUR SCARS FROM BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THIS CITY SITS ON.
WE JUST RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU LISTEN TO THE VOICE THAT DOES BUILD WHAT YOU
STAND ON. THANK YOU. >> MAYO>> I'M A SAN ANTONIO
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RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY. AND I'M ACTUALLY HERE TO THAT'S RELATED TO HEAT-RELATED DEATHS AND TRACKING THEM WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I'VE ACTUALLY DONE A FEW INTERNSHIPS WITH SEVERAL NONPROFITS IN DOING WORK FOR TRYING TO WORK TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOW THESE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS AND THE HEAT-RELATED INCIDENTS ARE IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY.I REALLY HOPE YOU GUYS WILL GO AGAINST THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO VOTE IT AS A NO. I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS, SEEING THESE IMPACTS ON OUR COMMUNITY IS DETRIMENTAL AND I HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO PUT SOME EYES
TOWARDS THIS INITIATIVE. THANK YOU AGAIN. >> MAYOR JONES: IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS MORNING? OKAY.
THANK YOU. FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 16, 2025?
>> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 2025.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES
>> WE WILL NOW GO INTO REALLY THE MEAT OF THE MEETING AND ERIK, I APPRECIATE THE STAFF'S WORK TO HELP US LEVEL SET ON THESE AND TRY TO PRESENT THESE CONSIDERATIONS IN A WAY THAT IS UNIFORM BUT ALSO HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS THAT NEED TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
WHETHER THEY BE LEGAL, OBVIOUSLY GIVEN THE VERY RAPIDLY-CHANGING LEGAL LANDSCAPE IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES ON ALL FRONTS, WHETHER THAT BE LABOR, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. UNDERSTANDING THE CONSIDERATIONS AS WE KNOW THEM NOW, WHICH FRANKLY MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN WHEN SOME OF THESE CCRS WERE INITIALLY PROPOSED. THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND. I THINK WE ALSO ALL ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO THE POTENTIAL BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF SOME OF THESE IDEAS, SO THE STAFF HAS ALSO LAID OUT, AT THEIR INITIAL LOOK, WHAT SOME OF THOSE MAY BE AND WHETHER SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE AND REQUIRE, FRANKLY, A LARGER BUDGETARY DISCUSSION.
I THINK WHAT SOME OF THESE -- AS WE HAVE ALSO FOUND, CAN TAKE A NUMBER OF FORMS AND STILL MAYBE POTENTIALLY MEET THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF AS THEY WERE WRITTEN. IN THE CONVERSATION YOU'LL HEAR A REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CLARITY. I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE SPONSORS ARE HERE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROBLEM WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE HERE AND HOW CAN WE BEST DO THAT IN LIGHT OF CERTAINLY FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS. BUT NO KIDDING, SOMETIMES BUREAUCRACY IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. AND I THINK YOU SEE A NUMBER OF CCRS HERE.
EACH OF THESE HAVE HAD A CURSORY LEGAL REVIEW THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT, AGAIN, AS THESE THINGS EVOLVE THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE OTHER WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE IDEAS AND ENSURING THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THOSE I THINK IS ALSO IMPORTANT.
AND, OF COURSE, IMPLEMENTATION. BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA ITSELF, HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK IN PRACTICE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS. IT'S NOT JUST THE IDEA ITSELF BUT WHAT DOES IT ACHIEVE, HOW CAN WE COMMUNICATE THAT, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAVE JUST DONE HERE. OKAY.
GREAT. ERIK, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
>> WALSH: YES, MA'AM. AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION, AND SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL FRAMEWORK AROUND YOUR COMMENTS AS WELL, MAYOR.
TODAY THERE ARE 11 CCRS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA, COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUESTS. AND THEY ARE ALL A PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM THE PREVIOUS TERM. THEY COVER A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS AND POLICIES AND OUR PLAN AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION IS TO DEAL WITH THEM ONE AT A TIME. THEY'RE GROUPED BY THE AGENDA, BY STAFF RECOMMENDATION. SO SIMILAR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GROUPED AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY THAT DIFFERENT FORMAT. I DID WANT TO KIND OF, AT THE BEGINNING, ALSO COVER -- THE MAYOR MENTIONED SOME OF IT BUT I WANTED TO REFER BACK TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND THE ORDINANCE TO REALLY KIND OF LAY OUT WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ALL DO. AND PER THE ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CAN
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REFER CCRS, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AND LEGAL AND APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT REVIEW AND COME BACK TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS. NUMBER TWO, IT CAN ASSIGN A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST TO A COUNCIL COMMITTEE, THE FULL COUNCIL, A B SESSION, OR AN A SESSION. NUMBER THREE, IT CAN REFER THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST TO THE MANAGER'S OFFICE TO BE INCLUDED IN UPCOMING BUDGET GOAL-SETTING SESSIONS. AND, NUMBER FOUR, IT CAN VOTE TO REMOVE THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. THE ORDINANCE LISTS REASONS TO REMOVE A CCR. AND AS NUMBER ONE, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ENACTED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATION. TWO, THAT THE REQUESTED ACTION IS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED OR IN THE PROCESS OF BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE CITY. THREE, IN THOSE CASES WHERE STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATION MAY PREEMPT THE ACTION. AND FINALLY, NUMBER FOUR, THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE DETERMINES FOR WHATEVER THE POLICY REASONS ARE, DISCUSSION IS, THAT ACTION SHOULD NOT BE RECOMMENDED ANY FURTHER. NEXT SLIDE.SO, THANK YOU, MAYOR FOR POINTING SOME OF THIS STUFF OUT.
AS THE MAYOR AND I TALKED ABOUT THE PREPARATION AROUND THIS ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS -- AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WE HAVE DONE CURSORY REVIEWS ON THESE ITEMS. I KNOW YOU ALL WILL BE ADDITIONALLY DISCUSSING OTHER CONSIDERATIONS POTENTIALLY NOT EXPLICITLY IN THE ORDINANCE.
THIS IS JUST BASED ON MY CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF YOU.
THINGS LIKE BUDGET IMPLICATIONS, LEGAL ISSUES, FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS SIMILAR TO, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, ABOUT WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ADDRESS AND WHO'S BEST SUITED TO ADDRESS IT.
TODAY WE'LL BE GOING THROUGH THESE PRESENTATIONS AND LOOKING FOR THE COMMITTEE'S FOLLOW-UP AND DIRECTION. MAYOR, WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH JOHN PETEREK ON ITEM NO. 2. THIS IS ONE OF THE ITEMS, THE FIRST TWO ITEMS ARE ITEMS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING PROCEED STRAIGHT AWAY TO COUNCIL IN
TWO DIFFERENT WAYS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, ERIK.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR. GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE'LL START ON ITEM 2. THIS IS TUSKEGEE AIRMEN MEMORIAL WAY.
SO THIS ITEM WAS SUBMITTED IN JULY OF 2025 BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
AND THE REQUEST IS TO HONOR THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND THEIR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY ADDING A MEMORIAL DESIGNATION TO A PORTION OF IOWA STREET BETWEEN CHERRY AND SOUTH PALMETTO STREET . THIS WOULDN'T CHANGE THE NAME OF THE STREET, JUST A MEMORIAL DESIGNATION FOR A PORTION OF THAT STREET.
STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE START THE REVIEW PROCESS. THAT WOULD INCLUDE TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THE STREET, HOSTING A PUBLIC MEETING, HAVING THIS PRESENTED TO THE HISTORIC DESIGN AND REVIEW COMMISSION, HAVING IT PRESENTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND ULTIMATELY COMING BACK TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL IN DECEMBER OF 2025. WE THINK THAT PROCESS WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. AFTER APPROVED TO GET IT IN PLACE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WOULD BE THE LEAD DEPARTMENT ON THIS ITEM. WE WOULD RECOMMEND THIS GOES TO A SESSION FOR APPROVAL. WE'RE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. THIS WAS SUBMITTED BY COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. THIS ITEM COMES AT THE REQUEST OF THE CONSTITUENTS WHO CAME TO MY OFFICE WISHING TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES, SPECIFICALLY THROUGH A MEMORIAL DESIGNATION. THESE MEN NOT ONLY BROKE BARRIERS IN THE SKIES BUT ALSO ON THE GROUND, CHALLENGING DISCRIMINATION AND PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BLACK SERVICE MEMBERS AND AVIATORS.
RECOGNIZING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, A CITY WITH DEEP MILITARY ROOTS IS FITTING AND LONG OVERDUE. SO IN LINE WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, I MOVE TO SEND THIS ITEM TO A SESSION FOR APPROVAL.
>> VIAGRAN: SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NO. 3. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ
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THE CAPTION FOR ITEM 3. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 3 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM TERI CASTILLO, DISTRICT 5, ON COACH POPOVICH DAY.
>> MAYOR JONES: IS THERE A STAFF PRESENTATION? >> GOOD MORNING.
JAMIE NIETO, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO SUBMITTED A CCR ON MAY 7 REQUESTING FOR JANUARY 28 TO BE CONSIDERED AS COACH POPOVICH DAY. THIS REQUEST WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE COACH POPOVICH'S ON-COURT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HIS COMMITMENT TO SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY.
THIS IS THE DEFINITION FOR A PROCLAMATION THAT'S ONLINE. THE CEREMONIAL PROCESS BEGINS WITH A REQUEST. OCC MAKES SURE IT MEETS THE GUIDELINES.
OCC COORDINATES WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND MAKES A RECOMMENDATION.
THEN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE VETS THE CEREMONIAL RECOMMENDED BY OCC.
IF APPROVED, OCC PREPARES A PROCLAMATION FOR THE MAYOR'S SIGNATURE.
THE PROCLAMATION IS THEN PRESENTED AT CITY COUNCIL OR AT THE ORGANIZATION'S EVENT.
EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T FOLLOWING THE EXACT PROCESS OR DEFINITION, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE MAYOR PRESENT A CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATION TO DECLARE JANUARY 28, 2026 AS COACH GREGG POPOVICH DAY AND CALL FOR ACTS OF SERVICE ON THAT
DAY . DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> MAYOR JONES: IS THE COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO HERE? IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE COMMENTS, SHE'S ABLE TO.
>> CASTILLO: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. COUNCILMEMBER TERI CASTILLO.
PRDISTRICT 5 IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECOMMENDATION AS IT AFFIRMS COACH POPOVICH'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON AND OFF THE COURT. IT WAS DRAFTED TO INCLUDE ACTS OF SERVICE ON THE DAY OF RECOGNITION BECAUSE COACH IS NOT ONLY A PERSON WHO SEEKS OUT PRAISE, HE HAS PREACHED THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WHAT WE HEARD FROM SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS IS THE NEED FOR US TO HONOR COACH POPOVICH. I BELIEVE THERE'S NO GREATER WAY THAN AN ACT OF SERVICE, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS RECOMMENDATION WILL
HIGHLIGHT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THIS ITEM TO BE A CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATION.
CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE CAN BEGIN DISCUSSION? >>
>> VIAGRAN: SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD. >> VIAGRAN: I JUST WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. I DO WANT US TO CONSIDER, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE -- I BELIEVE THAT'S A WEDNESDAY. AND IF WE DO PRESENT THAT AT CITY HALL OR DO THE PRESENTATION, IT'S PART OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT INSTEAD OF AN A SESSION.
SO I'M JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NO. 4. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION.
ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS CCR WAS SUBMITTED IN MAY OF 2025 BY DISTRICT 7. IT'S A CONSIDERATION OF UTILITY AND FIBER PROJECTS AND CREATING AN ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN AROUND A STREAMLINED PROCESS COMMUNICATING ABOUT UPCOMING WORK.
THE REQUEST ASKS FOR AN OFFICIAL PLAN FROM UTILITY AND FIBER COMPANIES ABOUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO PROACTIVELY SHARE PROJECTS AND OUTAGES THROUGH THE USE OF ROBO CALLS, SOCIAL MEDIA, TARGETED FLYERS. HOW THEY'RE GOING TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. IT ASKS FOR THE FORMALIZATION OF A REQUIREMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AS THE HOLDER OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND THE UTILITY AND FIBER COMPANIES IN HOW THEY COMMUNICATE NOT ONLY TO COUNCIL OFFICES BUT TO THE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO ASKS FOR US TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT METHODS FOR HOLDING THE UTIUTILITY AND FIBER COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR LACK OF COMMUNICATION.
WHEN POSSIBLE. SOME CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THIS CCR.
ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES MAY BE REQUIRED TO REVIEW UTILITY AND FIBER COMPANY COMMUNICATION PLANS. THE POTENTIAL RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMIT FEES RIGHT NEED TO BE INCREASED TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL MONITORING COSTS. I WOULD POINT OUT THAT
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TELECOM COMPANIES ARE EXEMPT FROM RIGHT-OF-WAY FEES AND INSPECTION FEES BECAUSE OF STATE LAW SO THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR THE NEED TO INCREASE REVENUE BY MAYBE TAKING A LOOK AT FINES DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE. THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS, WHICH I JUST MENTIONED, IS THAT MUNICIPALITIES CANNOT CHARGE CERTAIN TELECOM PROVIDERS FOR ACCESS TO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. AND ADDITIONALLY, CITY CODE ALSO EXEMPTS TELECOM PROVIDERS FROM HAVING TO PAY RIGHT-OF-WAY FEES IN LINE WITH STATE LAW. CURRENTLY, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME CURRENT EFFORTS AND POLICIES THAT ARE IN PLACE. THEY ARE IN THE MUNICIPAL CODE. THERE ARE CRITERIA FOR HOW THE RIGHT-OF-WAY SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF, BOTH WHILE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND POST-CONSTRUCTION.ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMIT HOLDERS, WHICH INCLUDE A 30-DAY ADVANCE NOTICE, WHICH INCLUDE AN ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO STARTING WORK. IT INCLUDES DOOR HANGERS THREE DAYS PRIOR TO IMPACTING RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOLS.
IT INCLUDES PERMANENT SIGNAGE WHILE CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING WITH THE UTILITY NAME, THE CONTRACTOR NAME, CONTACT DETAILS, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
ADDITIONALLY, PUBLIC WORKS AND THE UTILITY AND RIGHT-OF-WAY TEAMS COLLABORATE AND CREATE A SHARED PLACE TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING UTILITY WORK THROUGH PROJECT INFORMATION FORMS. PUBLIC WORKS CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGES AND COORDINATES WITH EXTERNAL PARTNERS AND UTILITIES TO TRY AND ENSURE EFFECTIVE EXECUTION OF THESE PROJECTS. WE SHARE ANNUAL PLANS.
WE HAVE CONSISTENT AND ONGOING PROJECT MEETINGS AT ALL LEVELS OF STAFF TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE COORDINATED ACROSS PROJECTS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A MAP PUBLISHED ONLINE, WHICH IS A CENTRAL REPOSITORY OF ALL RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMITS THAT ARE ACTIVE AT THE TIME. AND THERE'S A LIST OF OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERS FOR YOUR REVIEW. NEXT STEPS FOR THIS CCR. STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND REFERRING THIS ITEM TO THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE AND
PUBLIC WORKS WILL BE THE LEAD FOR THIS ITEM. >> MAYOR JONES: IF THE SPONSORING COUNCIL MEMBER IS HERE, THEY HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK.
>> GAVITO: GOOD MORNING. THANKS SO MUCH FOR Y'ALL'S TIME TODAY.
YES, I SUBMITTED THIS UTILITY FIBER AND PROJECTS ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN AT THE REQUEST OF OUR RESIDENTS. IT IS AIMED AT SAN ANTONIO UTILITY PROVIDERS, INCLUDING CPS, SAWS, AND OUR FIBER COMPANIES. OUR NEIGHBORS AND RESIDENTS DESERVE TO KNOW WHEN AND WHY WORK IS BEING DONE ON THEIR STREETS AND WHEN SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS MAY OCCUR.
THIS PROPOSAL IS ABOUT PARTNERSHIP. IT'S ABOUT ENSURING OUR CITY FUNCTIONS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND THAT OUR RESIDENTS STAY INFORMED.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN DISTRICT 7, DRAGON STREET WAS IMPACTED BY FIVE DIFFERENT PROJECTS BETWEEN 2018 AND 2024 . AN INTERSECTING STREET HAD THREE PROJECTS COMPLETED BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024. THIS VOLUME OF WORK DONE IN SUCH SHORT PERIODS OF TIME IS UNACCEPTABLE AND PLACES A LOT OF STRESS ON OUR RESIDENTS WHEN THEY'RE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO FACE CONSTRUCTION DELAYS. THANK YOU, JOHN FOR OUTLINING WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR SPECIFICALLY. ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WANT TO CALL OUT IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES. FAR TOO MANY TIMES, YOU KNOW, WHEN XYZ TELECOM COMPANY COMES IN AND INSTALLS FIBER, OUR RESIDENTS ARE LEFT HANGING WITH EITHER THEIR LAWN BROKEN OR, YOU KNOW, JUST THINGS MESSED UP. AND SO WE DO NEED AN ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE IN PLACE TO HOLD COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE. ONE OF THE THINGS I DON'T THINK WAS ADDRESSED IN THE PRESENTATION, A BIG AIM OF THIS CCR IS LIKE ADVANCED NOTIFICATION OF WHEN THINGS ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING, SO THAT WAY WE PREVENT TEARING UP THE STREETS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT IS DESTRUCTIVE TO OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONSTANTLY DRIVING AROUND CONSTRUCTION. OUR CITY AND OUR RESIDENTS NEED FEWER SURPRISES AND QUICKER, CLEARER COMMUNICATION SO THAT THEY CAN STAY INFORMED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING REFERRING THE ITEM TO THE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE . CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE CAN BEGIN DISCUSSION?
>> I ASK YOU A COUPLE OF FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS? I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE INTENT OF THIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IN YOUR DATA ANALYSIS AND YOUR COLLECTION THAT YOU'VE SEEN THAT THIS IS KIND OF A WIDESPREAD CITY PROBLEM OR IS THIS A VENDOR CHALLENGE? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE
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SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM? >> I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC CHALLENGES AROUND COMMUNICATION AND SPECIFIC LOCATIONS. IT HAS RANGED ACROSS THE CITY. I THINK FIBER TELECOMS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER OVER TIME BUT THERE WAS SOME INITIAL DEPLOYMENT BY ONE VENDOR THAT HAD TO BE REPOSITIONED FROM WHERE IT WAS PLACED IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. THERE WERE COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT RECEIVED MULTIPLE LAYERS OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SAME UTILITY, SO THERE WAS A LOT OF PRESENCE BECAUSE OF THAT. SO I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK AHEAD.
>> MUNGIA: THESE REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE PLACED ON TRYING TO OBTAIN A PERMIT
TO DO WORK IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY? >> I THINK THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE CCR. I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED LEGALLY, COUNCILMAN. I THINK WE'RE COMING AT THIS FROM A PLACE OF COOPERATION,
A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION. >> MUNGIA: SURE. >> AS ILLUSTRATED, WE CANNOT REQUIRE THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THE LAWS ARE WRITTEN. AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. WE CAN'T SAY, NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT IF YOU DON'T DO X.
>> MUNGIA: HOPEFULLY THE COMMITTEE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT AND ALSO HOW DO YOU VERIFY. I SAW THE ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD REQUIREMENT.
I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN THAT WHEN THAT'S HAPPENED BEFORE.
YEAH. JUST INTERESTED IN THAT DISCUSSION.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THIS ONE I STRUGGLED WITH A LITTLE, JOHN, JUST BECAUSE I FELT IT FELL MORE TO PCDC THAN TRANSPORTATION. BUT I UNDERSTAND IT CAME THROUGH TRANSPORTATION. I REALLY THINK I'M FINE WITH MOVING IT FORWARD AND HAVING THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I'M NOT SURE LEGALLY IF WE CAN DO THIS. THIS MAY NEED TO COME TO A B SESSION BEFORE IT COMES TO AN A SESSION, SIMPLY BECAUSE IT OVERLAPS WITH A FEW OTHER COMMITTEES.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ASPECT OF WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T MAKE OUR FIBER COMPANIES DO. AND HAVING A ONE SIZE FITS ALL, WHICH DOES NOT NECESSARILY WORK IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR BECAUSE OF OUR -- AND YOU KNOW THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING -- A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE IS OVERHEAD OUT OF NECESSITY BECAUSE THE GROUND WOULD -- THEY WOULD BE THERE FOR MONTHS TRYING TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THE STRUCTURE IS THERE. THAT'S THE ONLY THING. I'M FINE WITH MOVING THIS FORWARD. I TRUST THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE BUT I DO THINK THIS WOULD NEED A B SESSION. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHAT TRANSPORTATION DOES WITH
THAT. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO FOR BEING HERE. COMMENTS HEARD AS CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, I DEFINITELY VALUE RECEIVING FULL COUNCIL'S FEEDBACK BEFORE SENDING ITEMS TO A SESSION, SO THAT WILL BE COMMUNICATED DURING THE MEETING. I AM INTERESTED IN WHAT WORK IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
WHAT IS STAFF GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THE COMMITTEE MEETING THAT THIS
IS PRESENTED. >> I THINK IF THE ITEM IS MOVED FORWARD, COUNCILMAN, WE'LL BEGIN CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OF THOSE COMPANIES THAT WORK WITHIN OUR RIGHT-OF-WAYS TO HELP ESTABLISH THE BASELINE FOR WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE AND PRESENT IT TO THE COMMITTEE FOR FEEDBACK. AND MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: AND DO YOU HAVE A -- I GUESS WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN -- I FEEL LIKE I SAY THE WORD ECOSYSTEM A LOT NOW. THE ECOSYSTEM OF TELECOM PROVIDERS AND WHICH ONES SPECIFICALLY WE COULD NOT REGULATE IN THIS WAY.
>> I CAN PROVIDE A LIST OF WHO IS AVAILABLE TO USE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHOUT THOSE
PERMIT FEES. ABSOLUTELY. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: OKAY.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD ALSO ASK YOU AS WE MOVE THIS FORWARD IS TO PROVIDE TO THE COMMITTEE AND THEN JUST SEND US A COPY AS WELL. IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF ANY DATA THAT YOU HAVE ON THE ACTUAL SCALE OF THIS PROBLEM. I CAN CERTAINLY APPRECIATE WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN D7, BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP THE COMMITTEE UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THIS PROBLEM. MAYBE IT'S ACTUALLY SPECIFIC TO A COUPLE OF VENDORS AND NOT NECESSARILY A CITYWIDE ISSUE. AT LEAST WELCOME HAVING THAT FOR THEIR CONTEXT. NO FURTHER DISCUSSION? THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TO MOVE THIS TO THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE.
PLEASE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >>
>> MAYOR JONES: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ
[00:30:06]
THE CAPTION FOR ITEM NO. 5. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 5 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST BY COUNCILMEMBER TERI CASTILLO DISTRICT 5 ON ENHANCING LOCAL CONSTRUCTION
TRADES. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS CCR WAS SUBMITTED IN APRIL OF 2025 BY DISTRICT 5. IT ASKS FOR STAFF TO DEVELOP A CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM POLICY FOR ALL CITY OF SAN ANTONIO-SPONSORED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OVER $10 MILLION. AND REQUIRE A 35% OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT TO BE CURRENT ENROLLEES OR GRADUATES OF THE REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OR TO BE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CERTIFIED IN THE BILINGUAL TRAINING PROGRAM .
SO THE REQUEST ADDITIONALLY ASKS FOR US TO ENSURE THAT PROJECTS LESS THAN $10 MILLION ALSO CARRY A TRAINEE REQUIREMENT SCALED TO THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET AMOUNT. ADDITIONALLY TO CREATE A CONSTRUCTION READINESS PIPELINE TO INCLUDE READY TO WORK-APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS WHO PROVIDE PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND PREAPPRENTICESHIP AND READINESS TRAINING SO FOLKS WOULD BE READY TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE. IN ADDITION THAT APPRENTICES ARE ENROLLED IN THE DOL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WOULD BE PAID A PERCENTAGE OF THE JOURNEYMAN WAGE SPECIFIED FOR THAT PROGRAM BUT MAY NOT BE PAID LESS THAN THE CITY'S MINIMUM WAGE.
SOME SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AROUND WAGES FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THIS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO THINK ABOUT.
BUDGETARILY, THIS WOULD TAKE ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME BY THE CLIENT DEPARTMENT, SO WHENEVER DEPARTMENT HAS THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. AND THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MONITOR AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE OF THESE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, IF IMPLEMENTED. AND ALLOW SOME SORT OF ENFORCEMENT FOR EACH OF THOSE PIECES OF COMPLIANCE. POTENTIALLY BIDS AND PROPOSALS MIGHT SEE A COST INCREASE AS SPECIFIC WAGES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE PAID BOTH BY PRIME AND SUBCONTRACTORS. SOME ADDITIONAL LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS.
RELIANCE ON THE PROGRAMS THAT EXIST TODAY THAT ARE CERTIFIED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ALLOWABLE BUT WE SHOULD BE MINDFUL THAT CHANGES TO THOSE CERTIFICATIONS BY THIS ADMINISTRATION OR FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS ARE POSSIBLE. SO IF WE TIE OURSELVES, THERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO THINK ABOUT. NEXT STEPS.
STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ITEM BE REFERRED TO THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO FURTHER EVALUATE ENACTING AN APPRENTICESHIP.
STAFF WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY ENGAGE A BALANCED LABOR AND CONSTRUCTION STAKEHOLDER GROUP TO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS POLICY.
THE LEADS FOR THIS ITEM WOULD BE CAPITAL DELIVERY, FINANCE, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. I SEE THE SPONSOR IS HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. THIS IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST THAT THE DISTRICT 5 TEAM WORKED IN COLLABORATION WITH LABOR AND IN CONVERSATION WITH ALEX AND MIKE. THANK Y'ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK AND LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. DISTRICT 5 IS SUPPORTIVE OF STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
THE CCR AGAIN WAS DRAFTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LABOR BASED ON SAN ANTONIO'S APPRENTICESHIP ASPIRATIONS TO UP SKILL AND INCREASE WAGES FOR WORKERS.
THE PREVALENCE OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO NOT ONLY WOULD THE HIGHER MINIMUM THRESHOLD MEAN MORE SAN ANTONIO WORKERS WORKING ON COSA CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, BUT THIS ALSO MEANS MORE LOCAL WORKERS HAVING MORE APPRENTICESHIP AND UPSKILL OPPORTUNITIES. LABOR HAS WORKED ON AN EFFORT SIMILAR TO THIS IN AUSTIN AND THEY RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM INDUSTRY.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION AND HOPE THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE TO EWDC. >> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THIS ITEM BE REFERRED TO THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE. CAN I GET A MOTION? >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A
MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. AS THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE, ONE OF THE THINGS, COUNCILWOMAN, I THINK IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND IS ENSURE WE'VE GOT A PIPELINE THAT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO POTENTIALLY MEET THIS REQUIREMENT AND THEN CERTAINLY HELPING US AS A COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND ANY OTHER, YOU KNOW, COST IMPACTS OR POTENTIAL DELAYS AS A RESULT OF THAT PIPELINE POTENTIALLY NOT BEING ROBUST.
JOHN, IF YOU HAVE DONE ANY OF THAT ANALYSIS ALREADY, THAT CAN HELP MAYBE INFORM SOME OF THIS INITIAL DISCUSSION. THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
AND THE COUNCILWOMAN, I KNOW YOU REFERENCED THE EXPERIENCE IN AUSTIN.
IF ANY OF THAT IS HELPFUL FOR US TO UNDERSTAND AT THIS STAGE TOO, PLEASE SHARE.
[00:35:05]
EITHER ONE OF YOU. >> CASTILLO: AGAIN, JUST GOING BACK, I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE -- WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE AUSTIN MODEL TO DETERMINE WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR JONES: SURE. SURE. >> I THINK WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL WORK TO DO TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE PIPELINE.
WE HAVE NOT COMPLETED THAT WORK. >> WALSH: MAYOR, I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD AS PART OF THE CONVERSATION AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL, YOU KNOW, ONE WAY TO ASCERTAIN THOSE THINGS, SOMETIMES LOOKING AT OTHER CITIES ISN'T REALLY GOING TO INFORM YOU BUT ONE WAY TO ASCERTAIN THAT IS TO DO A PILOT.
THAT BETTER INFORMS ON POTENTIAL IMPACTS. THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT
THE COMMITTEE COULD TALK ABOUT. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? GO AHEAD. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
AND I THINK ERIK STOLE MY THUNDER. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT PILOTS AND I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE WORK TOGETHER AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION HERE. THE OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES THAT ARE DOING THAT, INCLUDING THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
AND WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY IN I THINK -- OF COURSE I'M GOING TO SAY DISTRICT 3.
BUT WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO LOOK AT PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN PILOT THIS TO SEE HOW IT WORKS. I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING
THIS FORWARD SO EWDC CAN WORK ON THIS. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN
MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: I APPRECIATE THE CCR.
THERE'S A GREAT EXAMPLE. I TOURED A MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY DOWNTOWN AND IT'S ACTUALLY OWNED BY THE INVESTMENT GROUP OF AFSCME. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IS THAT WHENEVER THERE'S ANY CONSTRUCTION THAT THEY DO AS A UNION, IT ALL HAS TO BE UNION JOBS. THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NO ONE THAT HAS A UNION JOB THAT DOES PLASTER ANYMORE. THAT IS NO LONGER A TRADE. THEY WERE FORCED TO DO AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO GET FOLKS ON BOARD TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE PROJECTS.
I THINK THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE LOCALLY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS AT THE COMMITTEE. >> MAYOR JONES:
COUNCILMAN. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT A PART OF STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO ENGAGE A BALANCED LABOR AND CONSTRUCTION STAKEHOLDER GROUP. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT LABOR HAS GOTTEN THE SHORT END OF THE STICK TOO OFTEN AS WELL AS A
NUMBER OF IMPACTED GROUPS. >> YEAH, COUNCILMAN. WE BELIEVE THAT WE'LL COME UP WITH A DRAFT FOR YOU TO REVIEW AND PRESENT TO THE COMMITTEE THAT IS BOTH, YOU
KNOW, LABOR AND CONSTRUCTION BALANCED. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK
YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: I'M ALSO ACTUALLY PRETTIED EXCITED ABOUT THIS CCR. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE WATCHES PBS NEWS HOUR BUT THEY DID A RECENT SEGMENT ON THE TOOL BELT GENERATION, THOSE FOLKS JUST COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL THAT ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE -- WHERE THEY CAN USE THEIR HANDS. SO THESE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES WHERE -- YES, COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE. FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT PATH AND WE NEED THAT PIPELINE AS WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT, UNFORTUNATELY, THE IMPACTS OF IMMIGRATION POLICIES THAT ARE MAKING IT MORE EXPENSIVE FOR LABOR.
SO THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN HAVE A HEALTHY PIPELINE AND PAY FOLKS A LIVING WAGE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. SO I APPRECIATE THE COUNCILWOMAN FOR THE CCR AND AS IS FOOT STOMPED BY MY COLLEAGUE HERE, MAKING SURE WE HEAR FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS. OKAY.
SO THERE IS A MOTION TO MOVE THIS TOWARDS THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >>
>> MAYOR JONES: OPPOSED? OKAY. MOTION PASSES.
MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ ITEM NO. 6. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 6 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST TO CREATE A HOUSING VOUCHER INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THIS ITEM WAS SUBMITTED IN APRIL OF 2025 BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6. IT REQUESTS THAT A HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM BE CREATED.
THE HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. THE PROGRAM AIMS T MAKE PRIVATE RENTAL HOUSING AFFORDABLE TO PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES AND THE VOUCHERS PAY THE DIFFERENCE.
LANDLORDS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ACCEPT VOUCHERS UNLESS AS A FUNDING CONDITION OF THE PROJECT. THE REQUEST THAT WE RECEIVED ASKS THAT THE CITY CREATE A COSA-SPONSORED PROGRAM TO PROVIDE BRIDGE FUNDING FOR INITIAL PAYMENTS TO LANDLORDS. IF THEY ARE NOT SUBMITTED IN A TIMELY MANNER BY HUD OR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. TO PROVIDE GAP FUNDING TO LANDLORDS IF HUD'S FAIR MARKET VALUE IS LOWER THAN THEIR MARKET RENTS IN THE AREA.
AND SEEK OUT SOLUTIONS FOR OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS INSPECTIONS.
[00:40:05]
SOME CONSIDERATIONS, AS WE THINK ABOUT THIS CCR, SOME VERY PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS ESTIMATES THIS PROGRAM WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3.7 MILLION ANNUALLY AND THAT WOULD BE BROKEN DOWN IN $1.5 MILLION IN ANNUAL BRIDGE FUNDING ALLEGATION AND A $2.2 MILLION ALLOCATION FOR ANNUAL GAP FUNDING.I WOULD POINT OUT ON THE LEGAL FRONT A CONSIDERATION IS THAT HUD REGULATIONS PROHIBIT RENT PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF THE ESTABLISHED LIMITS.
SO FINANCIAL SUPPORT MAY NEED TO BE STRUCTURED TO MEET HUD COMPLIANCE STANDARDS. NEXT STEPS FOR THIS CCR. STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ITEM GO TO THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
STAFF WILL COORDINATE WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME AND THE LEAD OF THIS EFFORT WOULD BE
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. DISTRICT 5 IS SUPPORTIVE OF STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION. THIS REQUEST WAS DRAFTED WITH FEEDBACK FROM HOUSING VOUCHER HOLDERS AND HOUSING PROVIDERS AND IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SAN ANTONIO APARTMENT ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE ONGOING CONCERNS WITH THE DELAYS IN VOUCHER PAYMENTS BY HUD DUE TO INSPECTIONS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES AND UNDERPAYMENT CAUSED BY MISCALCULATIONS IN HUD'S FAIR MARKET RENTS.
BOTH THE DELAYS AND UNDERPAYMENTS DETER POTENTIAL HOUSING PROVIDERS FROM ACCEPTING VOUCHERS, WHICH LIMITS THE NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES VOUCHER HOLDERS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO. IT ALIGNS WITH THE ONGOING STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION COMPARED TO CONSTRUCTING EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS AND LEVERAGING EXISTING RESOURCES AND FUNDING. IT'S ALSO IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN GOAL OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS IN SAN ANTONIO TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS BY INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF VOUCHERS AND INCREASING VOUCHER ACCESS AT MORE PROPERTIES ACROSS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THIS ITEM BE REFERRED TO THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE CAN
BEGIN DISCUSSION? >> IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF THE CHALLENGE WITH THIS ISSUE IS ON THE HUD SIDE, RIGHT, AND THE ACTIONS THEY ARE TAKING. OR NOT TAKING IN A TIMELY FASHION.
CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT OUR ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN THUS FAR WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO SEE HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP OURSELVES ON THAT END?
>> MAYOR, WE HAD SOME INITIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH HUD WHEN THIS ITEM WAS FIRST CREATED. AS WE RAMPED UP TO THE MOST RECENT PRESENTATION, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A FEDERAL SHUT DOWN THAT HAS OCCURRED. SO WHEN THINKING ABOUT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE HAD TO GO ON OUR PAST GUIDANCE AND HAVEN'T HAD MORE RECENT COMMUNICATION BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT IN THE OFFICE RECEIVING PHONE CALLS AT THIS POINT. TO KIND OF CHECK OURSELVES ON THE CURRENT, YOU KNOW, STANDARDS OF WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO THINK ABOUT, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO
THAT. >> MAYOR JONES: WHAT WAS THE LAST DISCUSSION THAT WE
HAD WITH THEM, THOUGH? WHERE DID THAT LAND? >> I'LL LET VERONICA SPEAK
TO THAT, PLEASE. >> MOST RECENTLY WITH OUR PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES, WE'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH ADMINISTERING THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
AND THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE PAYMENTS.
THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF PROGRESS TO DO INTERNAL UPDATES TO TRY AND GET THOSE PAYMENTS OUT FASTER TO LANDLORDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY TAKE ON A NEW HOUSING VOUCHER TENANT. NOW THEY CAN GET THEM OUT IN AS LITTLE AS 17 DAYS, THOUGH MOST ARE CLOSER TO 30 DAYS. THAT'S ONE IMPROVEMENT. THE OTHER ISSUE WITH THE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS, HOW MUCH HUD PAYS AND ALLOWS FOR FAIR MARKET VALUE.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S CAN GO UP TO 10% ABOVE AND IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE CITY THEY'RE WILLING TO DO THAT. BUT THERE ARE, AS JOHN PETEREK MENTIONED, THERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS WITH HUD RULES AND COMPLIANCE WITH GOING MUCH MORE ABOVE WHAT REASONABLE RENT FOR THE AREA WOULD BE. THOSE ARE SOME THINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT WITH SPECIFICALLY THE WAY THE CCR RECOMMENDS ADMINISTERING INCENTIVES BUT WE'LL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
OUR GOAL IS TO TRY AND ENCOURAGE ACCEPTING MORE VOUCHER HOLDERS.
>> MAYOR JONES: ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT INFLATING RENT PRICES AS A RESULT OF THIS PROGRAM, IF I'M READING INTO YOUR COMMENTS.
>> THAT COULD DEFINITELY BE A CONSIDERATION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RENTS BEING REQUESTED ARE REASONABLE RENTS. SO THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS WE WOULD HAVE TO DO. ESPECIALLY TARGETED ZIP CODES OF THE CITY TO MAKE SURE WHAT THAT IS AND THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE SOME CAUTION THAT WE DON'T GO ABOVE WHAT HUD WOULD ALLOW A LANDLORD TO ACCEPT.
[00:45:02]
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BOTH HOUSING AUTHORITY, OPPORTUNITY HOME, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY, WHO HAVE DONE SOME ANALYSIS IN PARTS OF THE CITY TO TRY AND GO ABOVE WHAT HUD FAIR MARKET VALUE IS, UP TO 10% ABOVE THAT, WHICH THEY CAN LEGALLY DO. BUT GOING EVEN BEYOND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WITH NOW INCENTIVES ARE STRUCTURED FOR LANDLORDS.>> MAYOR JONES: AND THE $3.7 MILLION IS JUST BASED ON WHAT CURRENT DEMAND IS.
IS THAT RIGHT? >> IT'S BASED ON THAT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 800 VOUCHERS THAT ARE UNUSED AND TAKING AN APPROXIMATE HOW MUCH A MONTH CAN BE INCENTIVIZED TIMES THREE MONTHS AND TAKING AVERAGES BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. THOSE ARE INITIAL CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES AND DEPENDING ON HOW WE STRUCTURE THE INCENTIVES MAY CHANGE THOSE NUMBERS.
>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN. >> MUNGIA: I APPRECIATE THE CCR ALSO. IT'S DEFINITELY A START TO A LARGER CONVERSATION AND THE COMMUNITY AND I'VE ALSO SPOKEN TO THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS HERE TODAY. THEY HAVE TOLD US -- AND I HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO OPERATE THAT OVER TIME IT'S GOTTEN MORE DIFFICULT WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE HAVE STOPPED PARTICIPATING IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM, WHICH BASICALLY PUTS MORE FOLKS ON THE WAITING LIST, WHICH ALSO GOES INTO WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR HOUSING BOND AND DOING MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS AND WORKING ON THOSE THINGS.
SO THE MORE THAT THE PRIVATE MARKET CAN ACCEPT THE VOUCHERS AND GET FOLKS INTO HOMES THAT ALREADY EXIST, I THINK CERTAINLY LOWERS THE DEMAND THAT WE WILL HAVE FOR OUR FUNDS GOING FORWARD. I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY A START TO A CONVERSATION ON WHAT COULD HAPPEN. I THINK OPPORTUNITY HOME IS A WILLING PARTNER, AND THEY'LL HAVE TO BE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE INSPECTION SECTION OF IT.
YOU KNOW, I HAD A RESIDENT WHEN I WAS A STAFFER WHO WAS ON THE VERGE OF EVICTION BECAUSE THERE WERE PAYMENT ISSUES TO HER APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY . THAT WAS JUST A DEVASTATING SITUATION THAT, YOU KNOW, COULD BE AVOIDED. SO I THINK THIS IS JUST KIND OF A START TO THAT CONVERSATION. I THINK ULTIMATELY IT PROBABLY IS A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WHAT WE'RE INITIALLY LOOKING AT BUT I THINK IF PEOPLE GET THE MESSAGE THAT THE CITY IS WORKING WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE MOMENTUM CAN GET THERE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THAT AT PCDC. >> VIAGRAN: YEAH.
I PUT MY SIGNATURE ON THIS CCR AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE, PCDC TAKES CONSIDERATION OF THAT. I KNOW, VERONICA, YOU WERE HERE WHEN HUD CAME TO VISIT BROOKS AND I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING MORE AT COMMUNITY, SO MAKING SURE WE'RE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET COMMUNITY INTO THEIR HOMES. AGAIN, LOOKING AT WHAT CHALLENGES WE FACE AS WE GO INTO THE NEW ECONOMY AS IT MOVES FORWARD. WE DO WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT BUT SET EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE PRIVATE LANDLORDS ALSO.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT COMES OUT OF PCDC. THANK YOU.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR FILING THIS REQUEST. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY COUNCILMAN MUNGIA AND COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN AND KAUR SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE. I'M SURE THEY WILL COME UP WITH A GREAT RECOMMENDATION FOR FULL COUNCIL, EVENTUALLY.
I KNOW THAT THE $3.7 MILLION IS A LITTLE ROUGH TO LOOK AT, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WE JUST NAVIGATED THE FIRST OF MANY YEARS OF BUDGET DEFICIT.
BUT OFTEN WE HAVE TO -- AND I BELIEVE I HAVE HEARD THE MAYOR SAY THIS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS -- WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITY COST.
WHAT HAPPENS SHOULD WE NOT FUND THIS PROGRAM OR ENGAGE IN THIS EFFORT THAT'S BEEN PROPOSED THOUGHTFULLY. I LOOK FORWARD TO EVENTUALLY HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THIS BEYOND GOVERNANCE. THANK YOU.
>> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO AS WE WORK ON THIS ISSUE AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SHARED WITH THE MAYOR THE OTHER DAY AND I'VE HAD A PRELIMINARY CONVERSATION WITH STAFF. COUNCILMAN, YOU JUST MENTIONED IT. YOU KNOW, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A GAP THAT EXISTS.
WHETHER IT'S DELAYS OR UNDERPAYMENTS OR INSPECTIONS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, AS WE GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, WE'RE GOING TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME BECAUSE THERE MAY BE OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE, WHETHER THEY BE SYSTEMIC OR PROCESS OR WORKING WITH HUD OR ADVOCATING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE WE GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE ESTIMATED $3.7 MILLION. SO I THINK THAT'S PART OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE THAT WE'LL
[00:50:04]
DO AT THE COMMITTEE. BECAUSE I THINK WE'VE ALL HEARD BITS AND PIECES, JUST LIKE YOU MENTIONED, COUNCILMAN. AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME AND ENGAGE THEM WITH THE COMMUNITY ASWELL. >> MAYOR JONES: EXACTLY. I MEAN, IF IT'S NOT -- SAYING GOOD MORNING AND DO YOU KNOW WE HAVE A BUDGET GAP.
THAT'S HOW I INTRODUCE MYSELF TO FOLKS NOW . AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THAT GAP IN THE BACK OF OUR HEAD, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, AS THEY LOOK AT THIS AS WELL IS WHAT ARE SOME OTHER INCENTIVES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO SOME OF THESE HOMEOWNERS, THESE LANDLORDS, ESSENTIALLY, THAT WOULD INCENTIVIZE THEM TO TAKE THESE VOUCHERS. 800 IS A LOT MORE THAN I THINK FOLKS WOULD REALIZE. AND I WOULD THINK IS NOT A NUMBER YOU HEAR IN OTHER COMMUNITIES. HOW MIGHT WE INCENTIVIZE THEM? ESPECIALLY -- AND MAYBE IT'S A TIERED ASPECT. IF YOU'VE GOT X NUMBER OF UNITS OVER THIS AMOUNT, THIS IS YOUR INCENTIVE. IF IT GOES HIGHER THAN THAT, JUST BECAUSE THEY CONTROL SO MUCH OF THE SUPPLY, WE REALLY WANT THEM TO TAKE THESE VOUCHERS. THERE MAY BE ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO ZIP CODES, CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW. THERE MAY BE A LARGE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THESE. SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THAT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR AWARENESS. BECAUSE AS MENTIONED, $3.7 MILLION IS A LOT, AS WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT $150 MILLION BUDGET GAP IN '27. THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO REFER THIS ITEM TO THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> OKAY. MOTION PASSES. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ
THE CAPTION FOR ITEM 7. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 7 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM COUNCILMEMBER MARINA ALDERETE GAVITO, DISTRICT 7, ON CITY SUPPORT
FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THIS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED BACK IN MARCH OF 2025 BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7. SO THE SPECIFIC REQUEST OF THE CCR IS FOR THE CITY TO FORMALIZE A PLAN THAT SUPPORTS TEACHERS AND THOSE WORKING IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THROUGH TARGETED EFFORTS THAT INCLUDE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, SUPPORT TEACHER WELL-BEING AND ADVOCACY.
THE CCR ALSO REQUESTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES A BIANNUAL UPDATE ON THE CITY'S COMMISSION ON EDUCATION THAT IS CURRENTLY OVERSEEN BY OUR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CCR.
CURRENTLY, THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE STAFF DEDICATED TO WORK HISTORICALLY, THE CITY'S INVESTMENTS HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMISSIONS THAT THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS THAT TARGET EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE COMMISSION ON EDUCATION THAT IS COMPRISED OF 11 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY EACH COUNCIL MEMBER AND THE MAYOR. WE ALSO HAVE THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION THAT HAS 22 MEMBERS. THERE'S TWO PER COUNCIL DISTRICTS AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. AND THERE'S ALSO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD THAT IS COMPRISED OF 11 MEMBERS.
AGAIN, ONE APPOINTED BY EACH COUNCIL MEMBER AND ONE BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THE COMMISSION ON EDUCATION MEMBERS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE SMALL ADVISORY COMMISSION, ANOTHER COMMISSION OF THE CITY WITH 15 REPRESENTATIVES TODAY, COULD POTENTIALLY ASSIST IN CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO BUSINESS OWNERS IN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE TO PARTICIPATE UNDERSTANDING BUSINESSES THEMSELVES ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS ANOTHER CONSIDERATION IS CURRENTLY OUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DOES NOT TRACK LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE NEW FOR THE CITY.
SO WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING IS TO MOVE THIS CCR TO THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL COMMITTEE. WE BELIEVE THAT WORKING WITH OUR HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE CAN PROVIDE SOME ALTERNATIVES AT NO COST TO THE CITY THAT CAN SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND THOSE SCHOOL STAFF AS WELL.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR JONES: YOU HAD ME AT NO COST. THE SPONSOR OF THE CCR IS HERE. COUNCILWOMAN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
[00:55:05]
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I FILED THIS PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL STAFF IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING TEACHER SHORTAGES, BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, AND LEGISLATIVE PRESSURES AFFECTING OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS. WHILE RECOGNIZING AUDIO] LARGELY RESTS WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.
I'M ADVOCATING WE SHOULD ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE BURDENS PLACED ON OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF AND, YES, AT NO COST. THANK YOU FOR OUTLINING WHAT THE PROPOSED PLAN INCLUDES. I DO APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S CONSIDERATIONS OF HOW WE CAN WORK WITH SBAC AND THE ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE IT WORK AT NO COST TO THE CITY.
WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR EDUCATORS SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WE MUST DO OUR PART TO SUPPORT THEM. THIS INITIATIVE ENSURES THAT SAN ANTONIO STANDS WITH ITS TEACHERS THROUGH ACTION AND NOT JUST WORDS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE. I KNOW THAT IT'S CHAIRED BY COUNCILMAN RICK GALVAN. I'M ALSO GRATEFUL -- I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR EDUCATORS. I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR WORK TO MAKE SURE SAN ANTONIO STANDS FRIENDLY WITH ITS TEACHERS.
>> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING REFERRING THE ITEM TO THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE. CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE MAY BEGIN DISCUSSION?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MAYOR JONES: SECOND? COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ SECONDED. WE'LL GO AROUND THE ROOM FOR DISCUSSION.
COUNCILMAN MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: YEAH. I'M INTERESTED IN THIS AND I THINK I'M GLAD THE STAFF PUT THE COMMISSION ON THERE, THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION AND HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD, BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY CLOSE TO THAT PROBLEM. I KNOW ON HERE IT SAID THAT WE SHOULD GET SOME BIANNUAL UPDATES FROM THE COMMISSION ON EDUCATION. DEBBIE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I THOUGHT THE COMMISSIONS HAD TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF UPDATE TO
COUNCIL ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ALREADY. >> CLERK: ALL CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DO PROVIDE ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE COUNCIL.
I'M THINKING THAT THE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP MAY HAVE TO GET MY STAFF TO HELP. ARE THEY A CITY BOARD? I DON'T THINK THEY'RE A CITY
BOARD SO THEY WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED. >> MUNGIA: SURE.
YEAH. I KNOW WE HAVE A CONNECTION TO THE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP BOARD AS WELL. SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WORK ON THIS THAT COULD GIVE US SOME IDEAS ON HOW BEST TO SUPPORT TEACHERS WITH A VERY LIMITED FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON OUR PART. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE THEY'RE ALL RESIDENTS AND WE HAVE A TEACHER UP HERE SITTING WITH US WHO CAN GIVE SOME FEEDBACK ON THAT. YOU KNOW, COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ'S OTHER POLICY THAT HE HAD TALKED ABOUT, WHICH WAS A PROGRAM TO HELP TEACHERS BUY HOMES.
THAT'S A TANGIBLE OUTCOME OF A WAY TO HELP TEACHERS. I'M HOPING THE COMMITTEE, WHICH I AM SUPPORTIVE OF SENDING THIS TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, CAN KIND OF HONE IN ON THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND SEE IF THERE'S PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN CARVE OUT SPECIALTY FOR TEACHERS OR IF IT'S PARTNERING WITH MEDIA OR CORPORATION HELP, RECOGNIZE SOME FOLKS. I THINK IT'S A GOOD
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: YEAH. I HAVE MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT WITHIN OUR PURVIEW. THIS SHOULD BE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD BE WORKING WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT SIT IN THEIR DISTRICT. WHY WAS IT RECOMMENDED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN WE HAVE ENTITIES ALREADY? WHY WAS IT RECOMMENDED TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE
COMMITTEE? CAN YOU TELL ME THAT, MARIA? >> VILLAGOMEZ: YES, COUNCILWOMAN. SO WHAT WE DISCUSSED INTERNALLY IS THAT WE CAN FIND OPPORTUNITIES UTILIZING SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE THAT WORK WITH BUSINESSES, TO SEE IF WE CAN FACILITATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT TEACHERS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT WITHIN OUR PURVIEW OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. BUT, AGAIN, WE FELT IT COULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO TRY
TO FACILITATE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. >> VIAGRAN: THE REASON I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS IS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DOING A TEACHER BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. BECAUSE THAT IS MY DISTRICT AND MY DISTRICT'S PRIORITIES. I HAVE AN ISSUE OF GOING INTO OTHER DISTRICTS THAT MAY HAVE A COMMUNITY-LED OPPORTUNITY OR ANOTHER
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ORGANIZATION DOING THAT AND SAYING WE'RE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT. I'M NOT OKAY WITH THAT AND THAT IS NOT WELCOMED BY SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AND, YES, I'M THINKING PERSONALLY ABOUT SOME OF MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR.
IF I TOLD THEM THE CITY IS GOING TO DO THIS NOW. SO I AM UNHAPPY THAT CITY STAFF DID NOT DO MORE DUE DILIGENCE IN WHAT WAS GOING IN WITHIN THE TEN DISTRICTS AND THE 16 SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WE HAVE HERE. AND THE CHARTERS AND THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE IN THE AREA. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, IF WE KNEW WE HAD ORGANIZATIONS DOING THIS, WHY WE'RE SENDING IT AS A TASK FOR THE NEW COMMITTEE. BUT IF Y'ALL WANT TO SEND THAT AS A TASK FORWARD, THAT'S FINE. BUT MOVING FORWARD FROM THIS POINT WHEN IT'S REGARDING GOVERNANCE AND COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS, I NEED THE COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO SAY -- I NEED THE CITY STAFF TO BE ABLE TO TELL THIS GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE THIS IS ALREADY BEING DONE. WE DON'T RECOMMEND IT FORWARD.
I'LL HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT ITEM 12 AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION.
BUT RIGHT NOW I'M STILL AT A LOSS OF HOW WE MOVE THIS FORWARD WITH 16 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WITH A LET'S JUST SAY THIS HERE. IT CAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT MY SUPPORT. EDUCATION COMMUNITY CAN DO THAT BUT, I MEAN, THIS IS NOT MY PURVIEW AND I KNOW SOME OF MY SCHOOL BOARDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH
THIS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD,
MA'AM. >> REBECCA FLORES. I'M THE EDUCATION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR AND I OVERSEE OUR COMMISSIONS. I CAN TALK ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD ON THIS. AND IT IS NOT TO TELL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHAT TO DO. A LOT OF THIS STARTED -- WE LITERALLY WERE WALKING DOWN HOUSTON STREET AND WE KEPT SEEING 10% DISCOUNT FOR MILITARY FOLKS AND WE'RE LIKE WHY NOT THE TEACHERS? AND THAT REALLY WAS THE CONVERSATION.
AND WHAT MORE CAN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DO TO SHOW THAT WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR TEACHERS, SUPPORTIVE OF OUR SCHOOL STAFF. IT WAS NO WAY INTENDED, AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, NO WAY INTENDED TO TELL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHAT TO DO.
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT THE CITY'S PURVIEW, IT ACTUALLY IS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMISSION ON EDUCATION AND THE HIGHER ECONOMIC HIGHER ED AH COMMISSION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS HOW TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND TEAC TEACHERS.
>> MAYOR JONES: ERIK, HOW MANY POSITIONS DID WE NOT FUND IN HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO CLOSE OUR BUDGET GAP IN '26? I ASK BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANY CITY STAFF THAT ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO DO THIS, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE MAY NEED TO DEDICATE SOME CITY STAFF RESOURCES TO DO THAT. SO HOW MANY DID WE JUST NOT FUND IN THOSE TWO
DEPARTMENTS TO CLOSE THAT GAP? >> WALSH: THERE WERE TWO OR THREE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE DID NOT FUND.
I'M NOT REMEMBERING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD ON HUMAN SERVICES.
BUT YOUR POINT IS WELL MADE, MAYOR, THAT THIS WOULD TAKE SOME EFFORT.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY, AS PART OF THE RECOMMENDATION TO GO TO THE COMMITTEE, BASED ON OUR CURSORY REVIEW, THAT WE COULD INCORPORATE IT WITHIN EXISTING STAFF TIME WITH SBAC, WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP.
THAT HAS BEEN, IN SOME CASES, THE TIP OF THE SPEAR AS IT RELATES TO A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY OR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
AND HOW COULD WE INCORPORATE, JUST AS REBECCA SAID, ATTRIBUTES THAT WOULD BENEFIT TEACHERS, PURE AND SIMPLE. BUT THAT WAS BASED ON A
CURSORY REVIEW. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN FOR FILING THE CCR. I HAVE A FEW THOUGHTS. SO ONE IS THE CCR IS FAIRLY BROAD IN SCOPE, AND I'M SURE THAT WAS INTENTIONAL. I DO APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT OF IT. SOMETIMES WE KNOW THAT WE WANT TO TACKLE AN ISSUE AS A COUNCIL AND SO WE DRAFT A CCR SO THAT WE MAY AGENDIZE A DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. SO THIS CCR ESSENTIALLY CHARGES STAFF TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON TEACHERS AND STAFF BUT DOESN'T NECESSARILY -- WHAT'S THE WORD IN MEDICINE WHEN YOU PRESCRIBE? IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY PRESCRIBE MEASURES, ASIDE FROM AN ANNUAL BRIEFING.
IT SOUNDS LIKE STAFF DOES RECOMMEND THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CREATE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE SBAC COMMITTEE AND WE ENGAGE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT, SUCH AS PRIORITY POINTS FOR TEACHERS IN OUR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, PRIORITIZE EDUCATION
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RESOURCES AND NONPROFITS OR ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. SO THE MAYOR DID ESTABLISH AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE. I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN TAKES HIS CHARGE VERY SERIOUSLY AND WILL HAVE SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AT THE COMMITTEE. I DO HEAR THE CONCERNS FROM COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND I WANT TO CLARIFY -- THE QUESTION I'M ABOUT TO ASK HOPES TO CLARIFY WHAT WE SEND FORWARD TO THE COMMITTEE AND MAYBE MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION, IF THAT'S NECESSARY. SO THE THINGS THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THE COMMITTEE TAKE ON IS POTENTIALLY SBAC AND THE COMMISSION ON EDUCATION PARTICIPATING IN A WORKSHOP OR DISCUSSION TO DETERMINE WHAT PARTNERSHIPS MAY BE CREATED TO SUPPORT TEACHERS A BIANNUAL OR ANNUAL UPDATE TO THE FULL COUNCIL AT A B SESSION. AND POTENTIALLY TRACK LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPACT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM SO COUNCIL MAY PROVIDE FEEDBACK AS PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. ARE THOSE THREE THINGS -- I KNOW THE MOTION IS TO SEND THE CCR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THOSE THREE THINGS SPECIFICALLY.DOES THAT REQUIRE A MOTION OR AN AMENDMENT, IF I WANT TO NARROW THE SCOPE?
>> WALSH: >> YOU WANT TO NARROW IT TO THE THREE THINGS WE SAID IN
THE PRESENTATION? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: YES. >> NO.
THAT'S PART OF THE PRESENTATION, PART OF THE ITEM BEFORE YOU.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SO WHAT IS THE WORK THAT WILL HAPPEN AHEAD OF THE ZACH AHEAD OF IT BEING PRESENTED TO THE -- TO THE K AHEAD OF IT BEING PRESENTED TO THE
COMMITTEE. >> WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION BEFORE SBAC BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. I THINK WE NEED A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE AND SKETCHING OUT THE WORK AND THOSE TWO THINGS AT A MINIMUM. THE ONE ISSUE THAT I THINK THAT WE HAVEN'T SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON IS US BEGINNING TO TRACK FEDERAL AND STATE POLICIES AFFECTING TEACHERS AND EDUCATION. THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE THAT WE NORMALLY DON'T GET IN THE MIDDLE OF OTHER THAN PERIODICALLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THEY ARE EDUCATION-RELATED QUESTIONS THAT COME UP IN OUR LEGISLATIVE BRIEFINGS, WE DON'T DO THAT NOR DO WE HAVE THE STAFF TO DO THAT. I THINK WE NEED TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME THINKING THROUGH HOW TO THE HIGHLIGHTS OR THE MATTERS OF MOST CONCERN TO THE COUNCIL. BUT WE HAVE TIME TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A YEAR AND A
HALF BEFORE THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION SPECIFICALLY AT THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE. ONE OF THE REASONS I ALWAYS SAY I RAN FOR OFFICE IS BECAUSE I WAS FRUSTRATED HEARING SO MANY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AT VARYING LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT SAYING THAT ISSUES OF STUDENTS WERE NOT FOR THE CITY TO HANDLE. I THINK ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE THOSE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE ABOUT EDUCATION, WHETHER IT'S FUNDING OR CERTAIN POLICY IN LEGISLATION, THOSE THINGS DO HAVE A TRICKLING AFFECT ON SO MANY OTHER ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO NAVIGATE. THE CLOSER WE CAN GET TO THE ROOT OF THE ISSUE I THINK THE BETTER. SO I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION MOTION, BUT I WANT TO BE SURE THAT BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THIS CHARGE IS ALREADY A PART OF THE CHARGE OF THE COMMISSION, THAT THE DISCUSSIONS DON'T CONFLICT AT THAT COMMITTEE.
SO I THINK THAT WILL JUST BE AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TO HAVE WITH CHAIR GALVAN.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THE SPONSOR WOULD LIKE TO SAY A
I DO WANT TO CLARIFY, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN I DO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL BOARDS AND THE INTENT ISN'T THAT.
AS REBECCA RIGHTLY MENTIONED, WE GO DOWN HOUSTON STREET OR WHEREVER, WE SEE A LOT OF BUSINESSES HAVING 10% MILITARY DISCOUNT.
WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE AWESOME IF WE COULD BE A TEACHER FRIENDLY CITY, SAN ANTONIO A TEACHER FRIENDLY CITY AND PEOPLE ALSO SEE A DISCOUNT FOR TEACHERS AS WELL. I'VE TALKED TO A COUPLE OF FOLKS AT DIFFERENT CHAMBERS AND SAID THIS WOULD REQUIRE BUSINESSES DO THIS. AND THEY'VE BEEN EXTREMELY OPEN TO IT, AT LEAST THE PRELIMINARY RECEPTION TO THAT.
ALSO TOO I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO CALL OUT THAT ONE OF THE POINTS OF THIS CCR AS COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ WAS HIGHLIGHTING, IS THAT WE -- THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO START LOOKING AT LEGISLATION, STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION, AND WITH A FOCUS OF TEACHER-SUPPORTIVE INITIATIVES, AND THAT THAT BE ON OUR RADAR. IT HASN'T BEEN IN THE PAST, A FULL FOCUS ON IT, AND I THINK IT SHOULD. THE INTENT HERE IS THAT TEACHERS ARE OUR RESIDENTS. SO IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO SUPPORT THEM, ESPECIALLY
[01:10:03]
RIGHT NOW UNDER BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, UNDER ALL THE HOOPLA WE'RE SEEING AT THE STATE LEVEL, THEN LET'S SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS IN THE WAYS THAT WE CAN.THAT'S THE INTENT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: ERIK, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER CITY-INITIATED DISCOUNTS FOR GROUPS OR EMPLOYEES OR
CLASSES OF PEOPLE? >> MAYOR, WE DO HAVE SOME CITY EMPLOYEES.
ALEX CAN -- >> WELL, THERE'S SOME DISCOUNTS THAT ARE OFFERED TO ALL CITY EMPLOYEES, BUT I WAS THINKING OF OUR BUY LOCAL INITIATIVE, WHICH RIGHT NOW WE WORK WITH BUSINESSES, WE TART SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREAS TO TRY TO BRING MORE CUSTOMERS INTO THOSE BUSINESSES. AND WHEN THEY SIGN UP FOR THIS BUY LOCAL PROGRAM THEY OFFER A 10% DISCOUNT IN MOST CASES AND THAT HELPS DRAW IN
SOME CUSTOMERS. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. WHEN WE TALK, ANDY, FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT HELP TEACHERS, IT'S HARD TO THINK ABOUT POLICIES, WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION COSTS, THINGS THAT DON'T AFFECT TEACHERS. SO CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW WE WOULD DO THIS IN A MANAGEABLE -- I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF THE SPONSOR. I'M ALSO TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WE COULD TRACK THESE THINGS AND THEN WHAT? I MEAN, WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS IN OUR OWN KIND OF CITY POLICIES ABOUT WORDS WE CAN AND CANNOT SAY. SO TO THE EXTENT WE'RE NOW TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS TO NON-CITY EMPLOYEES OR NON-CITY-RELATED POLICIES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT TRACKING SOME OF THIS LEGISLATION MAY --E WORKLOAD, BUT ALSO THE ACTUAL IMPACT ONCE WE'VE
TRACKED IT. >> IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY, MAYOR, THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE ONGOING DISCUSSION WOULD BE WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE GOING TO TRACK BOTH AT A FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL THAT WOULD IMPACT TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY. AND THEN ANYTHING THAT WE WOULD DO IN TERMS OF ADDING TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE FULL COUNCIL.
SO THE GOOD NEWS IS BEFORE WE SAY ANYTHING IN TERMS OF ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST ANY MEASURE THAT WOULD AFFECT TEACHERS DIRECTLY, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED
BY THE FULL COUNCIL. >> MAYOR JONES: I THINK BY WEIGHING INTO THAT WE WEIGH INTO DISCUSSIONS THAT WE AS A CITY HAVE ALREADY SAID ARE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE,
CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT, MAYOR. AND I GUESS THE RESPONSE WOULD BE WE NEED TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS AS WE ENTER INTO THAT REALM TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T INADVERTENTLY CREATE GREATER RISK FOR THE CITY. RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE REALLY ANY FRAMEWORK OR DETAILS THAT WOULD AT LEAST PREVENT US FROM GOING INTO
THAT DIRECTION. >> MAYOR JONES: AND WHEN I ALSO READ THIS I SEE THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT DOES NOT CURRENTLY TRACK LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF. WOULD WE ALSO BE TRACKING LEGISLATION THAT SPECIFICALLY POTENTIALLY HARMS TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF? I'M THINKING ANTI-LBGTQ LAWS, ET CETERA. WOULD IT ALSO DO THAT? IS THAT THE INTENT? HAPPY TO HEAR FROM THE SPONSOR OR THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT
SCOPING THIS. >> I ACTUALLY USED TO DO GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS SO I GET QUITE A NUMBER OF UPDATES FROM STATEWIDE AND FEDERAL SOURCES TO ASSIST WITH THE TRACKING OF LEGISLATION. SO IT WOULDN'T BE JUST THE GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT DOING IT. AND ALSO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION THAT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THINGS THAT DON'T ALSO LIKE FOR BUSINESSES JUST A 10%. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COMMISSION WAS ALSO LOOKING AT, LIKE EVERY NEW TEACHER RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE MAYOR WELCOMING THEM TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION. SO THERE WAS VERY MUCH A MYRIAD OF IDEAS THAT THE COMMISSION MEMBERS HAD BEEN THROWING OUT JUST BEYOND JUST WORKING WITH LOCAL
BUSINESSES ON EXPANDING TEACHER INCENTIVES. >> YEAH.
I WAS GOING TO SAY, MAYOR, I THINK TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE SCOPE, THAT'S WORK WE HAVE TO DO BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT STEP. AND I THINK BASED ON ANDY'S ANSWER TO YOU, IT IS COMPLICATED AND WE WOULD NEED TO BE VERY NARROWLY FOCUSED ON WHAT THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE DISCUSSES AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE IMPACT IS. I MEAN, TRACKING -- I WOULD ASSUME TRACKING LEGISLATION
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AROUND ITEMS OF SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS WOULD BE A LOT EASIER THAN TRACKING EDUCATIONAL POLICY ISSUES, BUT I THINK WE LET THE COMMITTEE HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, NARROW THE SCOPE. I THINK PART OF THE TAKEAWAY FROM THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CONVERSATION IS THAT THE NEXT CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED AND SURGICAL AND DEFINITIVE IN TERMS OF IMPACT TO COSTS.THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL MAKE SURE WE RIPPLE THROUGH TO THE NEXT SIDE.
>> MAYOR JONES: WHILE I HAVE THE SPONSOR... AND THANK YOU AGAIN.
I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT EDUCATION IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THERE'S A CHALLENGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT IS UNFORTUNATELY DISCOURAGING FOLKS FROM ENTERING THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROFESSION.
AS THE DAUGHTER OF A PUBLIC EDUCATOR I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS IN AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE. YOU REFERENCED A COUPLE OF YOUR ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE CHAMBERS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WOULD BE GREAT PARTNERS, AND FRANKLY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO LEAD THESE EFFORTS THEMSELVES.
DID YOU GAUGE THEIR INTEREST AND FRANKLY THEM IN RUNNING WITH THIS?
AND SINCE THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO SO? >> I DID NOT.
NO, THAT WASN'T THE QUESTION. WHEN I POSED THIS TO THEM, IT WAS HEY, THIS IS IN THE PIPELINE, THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD BE OPEN TO.
USUALLY WHEN I FILE A CCR I MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY PRIOR TO THIS, PRIOR TO FILING IT, AND SO IT WAS IN PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
BUT THERE WAS NO CONVERSATION OF WOULD YOU OWN IT AND RUN WITH IT.
AGAIN, I DO THINK THAT THE CITY'S -- HOW THEY OUTLINED IN THE CONSIDERATIONS WITH SBAC AND I'M GOING TO GET THE NAME WRONG, HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION, THIS IS WORK THAT THEY COULD BE CHARGED WITH. WE ALL HAVE APPOINT APPOINTEES N THOSE COMMISSIONS AND I THINK THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE COULD EASILY DO WITH OUR APPOINTEES AGAIN WITH THE INTENT OF HELPING OUR TEACHERS.
>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: I WOULD LIKE FOR MY OWN PERSONAL INFORMATION, I WOULD LIKE THE FREQUENCY OF WHEN THE COMMITTEE IS MENTIONED, MARIA, IF YOU MEET AND IF THEY ALWAYS MAKE QUORUM.
AS THIS MOVES FORWARD, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION -- THAT WE HAVE THE INFORMATION. SO IF I CAN GET THE HISTORY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND THEN THE -- THEN AS IT MOVES FORWARD THROUGH THESE COMMITTEES.
I KNOW SBAC IS AN AWED COMMITTEE SO I KNOW THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE THERE, SO
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I WANTED TO MAKE SURE -- YOU ANSWERED THIS AS I WAS TYPING IT. THE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES COMMITTEE IN FOCUSED AREAS FOR LEGISLATION THAT WE TRACK. I'LL EXPRESS FIRST GOT ELECTED IN '21, WAS APPOINTED TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE AND I EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION THAT THE CITY WAS NOT TRACKING OR SPECIFICALLY IMPOSING SPECIFIC ANTI-LBGTQ LEGISLATION. IT TOOK US THREE YEARS TO ADAPT THAT AS PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND HOPEFULLY NOW IT'S IN PERPETUITY OR UNTIL COUNCIL CHANGES AGAIN, BUT OUR MOST RECENT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA HAVE INCLUDED MANY COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS LOOKING TO -- AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BODY HAS CHANGED, BUT I ANTICIPATE THAT THIS CONCERN HAS NOT, THAT WE DO -- THAT WE DO TRACK CERTAIN LEGISLATION.
I SEE THAT IT IS VERY BROAD AND IT CAN BE COSTLY TO DO SO, SO I DO THINK THERE'S VALUE IN -- ESPECIALLY IN SUPPORTING THOSE ESSENTIALLY LOBBYING EFFORTS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SCHOOL STAFF AND UNIONS AND WHATNOT IN A WAY THAT'S -- IN A WAY THAT'S HELPFUL, BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE FOCUSED AREAS.
I WANT TO BE SURE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AT THE
COMMITTEE. IS THAT ACCURATE? >> SO, YES.
COUNCILMAN, IRRESPECTIVE OF THIS CCR, ITEMS THAT THE COUNCIL DECIDE ARE PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WE TRACK. EACH IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A CCR IT WOULDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE, BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES, THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. WE'VE DONE VERY LITTLE WORK ON THIS CCR ON THAT TOPIC AND I THINK MY ADVICE, MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE GO TO THE COMMITTEE AND WE LET IT EVOLVE WITH THE GOVERNANCE COMMENTS TODAY ABOUT BEING FOCUSED AND INTENTIONAL AND UNDERSTANDING IMPACT.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: ABSOLUTELY. SECOND TO THAT, THE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO ENGAGE A STAKEHOLDER GROUP TO DISCUSS LEADING THE EFFORTS
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TO SEE HOW THEY MIGHT AS BUSINESSES SUPPORT TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF.THAT IS ACCURATE. AND THEN LASTLY, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN SAID, BUT I WANT TO BE SURE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SUPPORTING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF THAT WE'RE ENGAGING THEM DIRECTLY. SO SEE HOW AS A PART OF THAT DISCUSSION WE MAY ENGAGE THE TEACHERS' UNIONS AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE STAFF IN SOME
WAY. SOUND GOOD? >> WE'LL PASS IT ALONG TO
THE COMMITTEE. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE CCR. I THINK THIS ALSO WAS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE LOOKING AT WHAT IS IT ACTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE HERE IN LIGHT OF -- AS MENTIONED THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THE CITY HAS TRADITIONALLY DONE.
THIS IS NOT A CORE SERVICE. AND WE WOULD NOW BE DEDICATING RESOURCES TO DO SOMETHING FOR WHICH THERE SEEMS TO BE AMPLE CAPACITY IN THE COMMUNITY TO DO.
AND I THINK SOCIAL MEDIA AMPLIFICATION OF THESE TYPES OF EFFORTS IS IMPORTANT, BUT WHEN WE ARE FACING BUDGET CUTS, WHEN WE ARE ALSO FACINGS POSITIONS GOING UNFUNDED TO MEET THAT, CARVING OUT CITY STAFF RESOURCES TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAY BE BETTER LED AND IMPLEMENTED ON THE PRIVATE SIDE IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER. I ALSO WANT TO JUST FOOT STOMP THE POINT THAT MY COLLEAGUE MADE HERE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, BEING VERY CLEAR ABOUT THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TRACK TO SUPPORT TEACHERS. WE VERY QUICKLY GET INTO MURKY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SUPPORTING WHICH TEACHERS AND MAKING SURE WE'RE SUPPORTING ALL TEACHERS. SO IF WE'RE NOT SUPPORTING OUR TRANS TEACHERS, THAT IN FACT EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEN HOW ARE WE MAKING THAT DISTINCTION? AND THAT THEN FALLS ON US AS A CITY WHEN WE DO THAT, DON'T DO THAT, ARE SILENT, WEIGH IN WHEN IT'S EASY TO, BUT THEN FAIL TO DO SO WHEN IT'S HARD TO.
UNDERSTANDING THAT FRANKLY ALL OF OUR TEACHERS ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL AS WE -- AS THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL COMMITTEE LOOKS AT THIS AND DETERMINES WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE WAY FORWARD, IF ANY. SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO MOVE THIS TO THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL COMMITTEE WITH A POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SBAC. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? OPPOSED. I'M OPPOSED. THE ITEM FAILS.
ITEM 8 IS A CCR REGARDING AI. MADAM CLERK PLEASE READ THE
CAPTION. >> ITEM NUMBER 8 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM COUNCILMAN MARC WHYTE, DISTRICT 10 ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
INTEGRATION STRATEGY. >> GOOD MORNING, CRAIG HOPKINS, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE CCR SUBMITTED IN MAY OF 2025 BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 AND CREATING A MUNICIPAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION STRATEGY. THE REQUEST SPECIFICALLY REQUESTS THAT THE CITY MANAGER EVALUATE AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CREATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE AI PLAN WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A REVIEW OF HOW OTHER CITIES HAVE STRUCTURED AI INITIATIVES WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATION, TASKING AN INDIVIDUAL TO LEAD, IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR THE CITY'S USE OF AI, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF AI WITHIN THE CITY'S CURRENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND A SUGGESTED TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION IF APPROVED. A COUPLE OF SIMPLE CONSIDERATIONS HERE, CURRENTLY THERE'S NO BUDGET IMPACT AT THIS TIME ON BUILDING A PLAN. THAT IS ONGOING WORK THAT'S HAPPENING, ALL BUDGET DRIVEN BY INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS THEMSELVES AS WE GO FORWARD, WHETHER REVENUE OR EFFICIENCY DRIVEN. LEGALLY I JUST WANT TO RAISE AN ISSUE, HOT BUTTON 149 DID PASS AT THE STATE WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1. I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO OPERATIONALLY TO SUPPORT THAT AS WELL WITH AI TOOLS AS WE GO FORWARD. QUICK BACKGROUND, WE'VE ACTUALLY DONE A LOT IN THIS SPACE ALREADY, UPDATING A LOT OF OUR POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE OBJECTIVES. 7.4 AND 7.12 ACTUALLY FOCUS ON ACCEPTABLE USE.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A SEPARATE ATTACHMENT TO 7.4 WHICH ALLOWS FOR PROS AND CONS FOR EMPLOYEES TO JEW GENERATIVE AI, ESPECIALLY GENERATIVE AI TOOLS, WHAT THEY CAN DO AND
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NOT DO. WE ALSO IMPLEMENT A POSITION STATEMENT INTERNAL, WHICH IS VERY DETAILED STANDARDS DOCUMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EITHER BUILDING OR BUYING AI TOOLS AS WE GO FORWARD, HOW THAT GETS IMPLEMENTED INSIDE THE CITY OF ASSISTANT SAN ANTONS WELL. WE'VE ADOPTED THE FRAMEWORK FROM NIST, I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE FRAMEWORK OF THAT, BUT IT'S A VERY STRUCTURED FRAMEWORK THAT WE'RE USING TO MANAGE RISK AS WE GO FORWARD ACROSS A VARIETY OF TOOLS, NOT JUST AI ITSELF.IT'S AN EXTENSION. WE HAD AN INTERNAL AUDIT EARLIER IN THE YEAR THAT LOOKED AT ALL OF OUR CURRENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, BUT NO FINDINGS IN THAT, AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO DO THAT AS WE GO FORWARD. AND WE'RE ALSO A MEMBER OF THE GOFFAI COALITION, ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT, IT CAME OUT OF ANOTHER CITY IN CALIFORNIA AND THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED CITIES THAT ARE PART OF THAT COALITION, VERY FOCUSED ON SHARING STANDARDS AND PROCESSES AROUND PROCUREMENT AND OTHER POLICIES AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO DO THIS WITH OTHER CITIES, NOT JUST DO IT ALONE.
IN PROGRESS THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON. WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE BUSINESS USE CASES THAT COME FORWARD. IN FACT, I TALKED WITH A COLLEAGUE OF MINE UP HERE IN A DEPARTMENT THIS MORNING ABOUT A SPECIFIC USE CASE THAT THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT COULD MAKE THEM MORE EFFICIENT AND PRIORITIZING WORK AND APPLYING THEIR GUIDELINES. AND WE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED TO AI AS THE TOOL. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THERE'S LOTS OF TECHNOLOGIES WE CAN USE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE AI GUIDANCE TO CONTINUE TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE THOSE BUSINESS CASES. WE AGAIN WILL MONITOR THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AT THE STATE LEVEL AROUND LEGAL USE. MOST OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE HEARING RIGHT NOW ARE ABOUT DISCLOSURE. SO IF YOU WERE TO USE AN AI TOOL FACING A RESIDENT, WE WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT WE WERE DOING SO.
IF A TOOL MADE A DECISION ON BEHALF OF A RESIDENT, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A HUMAN BEING WHO WILL ULTIMATELY MAKE THE DECISION, WE WOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT AS WE GO FORWARD. AND THEN YOUR TYPICAL THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST ABOUT BIO METRICS AND SOME OF THOSE THEY ARE THINGS ABOUT HOW WE'RE USING THOSE TOOLS. WE ARE REQUIRED TO INVENTORY OUR TOOL SETS INSIDE OF CITY AND DETERMINE WHAT IS HIGH RISK AI AND WHAT IS NOT. I WILL TELL YOU AT THIS MOMENT WE DO NOT HAVE HIGH RISK AI IN THE CITY AS WE GO FORWARD.
ALSO WE ARE DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH AND PROTOTYPES AROUND AI.
WE ACTUALLY VA SEVEN PROTOTYPES UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW.
SEVERAL WITH PD, IN WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, BUT THINGS LYCOPILOT AND OTHER TOOLS THAT WE ARE USING AT THE ENTERPRISE LEVEL THEY ARE TIE PROTOTYPE PHASE TO DETERMINE THE BEST THING TO DO.
WE ACTUALLY IS HAVE AN AI STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN THAT IS DRAFTED AND IN PLACE. IT HAS NOT PUBLICLY BEEN PUBLISHED.
IT'S BEEN REFINED OVER THE LAST YEAR, BUT IT GIVES US VERY STRATEGIC DIRECTION OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO AND WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE FIRST YEAR AS WE'RE SETTING UP RIGHT NOW.
SO IT'S IN PLACE AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK IT. SO TO THE CCR WE RECOMMEND TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC REQUEST THAT THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD THE CITY'S AI EFFORTS WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CHIEF DATA OFFICER AS WELL AS THE CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER AND THE PRIVACY OFFICER, AND NOT ONLY THE CITY ATTORNEY, I HAVE MANY CITY ATTORNEY FRIENDS IN THIS SPACE AS WE GO FORWARD, AND WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK THE DRAFT OF THE COSA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, IT'S IN PLACE, HAS ANNUAL STRATEGIC MILESTONES AND WE'LL KEEP UPDATING IT AS AI EVOLVES. WE RECOMMEND AN ANNUAL B SESSION BRIEFING ON AI TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR EFFORTS AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE ANY POLICY INPUT.
RIGHT NOW TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY OF '26.
AND I.T. WILL HAVE THE LEAD ON THIS GOING FORWARD. WITH THAT, THERE YOU GO.
>> MAYOR JONES: SPONSOR IS HERE, COUNCILMAN WHYTE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW
WORDS. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS.
AI IS THE NEXT FRONTIER AS WE ALL KNOW. I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT WITH THE USE OF AI, BUT AS CRAIG MENTIONED, THERE'S A PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY ISSUE HERE THAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE CERTAINLY MENTIONED TO ME.
PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE CALLING THE CITY AND HAVING AI ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE REALLY AND NOT KNOWING IT. SO I WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN EXISTED. I'M GLAD THAT IT DOES. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL NEEDS TO HAVE INPUT ON. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT, MAYBE COME UP WITH IDEAS AGAIN WHERE AI CAN BE USED TO AGAIN MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT OR MAYBE SOME AREAS WHERE WE DON'T THINK AI SHOULD BE INVOLVED.
AND SO I'M HAPPY WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE B SESSION IN JANUARY. SO THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES AND STAFF FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
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>> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING REFERRING THE ITEM TO B SESSION.
CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE MAY BEGIN DISCUSSION?
>> MAYOR JONES: APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS, CRAIG. AS YOU MENTIONED THE DRAFT -- A DRAFT HAS BEEN THERE FOR A LITTLE BIT IT SOUNDS LIKE.
APPRECIATE THAT COMING TO B SESSION BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND GIVING US AN UNDERSTANDING OF TIMELINES OF IMPLEMENTATION.
I THINK FRANKLY BASED ON THE SPEED OF AI, AN ANNUAL UPDATE IS PROBABLY NOT FREQUENT ENOUGH, FRANKLY, SO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BEING AT LEAST QUARTERLY.
AND IF WE NEED TO GO INTO EXEC SESSION, THEN WE COULD DO THAT ON SOME OF THOSE TOPICS, BUT I THINK THAT'S A GOOD WAY AHEAD. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: I WANT TO ECHO DO WE NEED TO FORMALLY MAKE A MOTION THAT THIS GETS PRESENTED TO US QUARTERLY ON THIS B SESSION HERE?
BECAUSE IF NOT I CAN WRITE ANOTHER CCR. >> WELL, LET ME -- LET US FIGURE OUT THE FREQUENCY. OUR B SESSION SCHEDULE IS -- I HEARD YOU MENTION IT KIND OF UNDER YOU'RE BREATHE. MAYBE IT'S KIND OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TYPE
BRIEFING MORE THAN A FORMAL QUARTER. >> MAYOR JONES: QUARTERLY AND THEN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON TOPICS THAT ARE MORE SENSITIVE.
>> OKAY. >> VIAGRAN: I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH IT.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE QUARTERLY. I THINK ANNUALLY IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH AS THIS CHANGES. SO AGAIN, YES, IF WE COULD GET THAT -- IF WE COULD GET A SCHEDULE, PLEASE BEFORE WE HEAD FOR THE THANKSGIVING BREAK, I'D APPRECIATE THAT, LOOK AT OUR B SESSION SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT THAT ON OUR CALENDAR AND UNDERSTAND WHEN THAT'S GOING TO COME, BECAUSE AS WE GO INTO CONFERENCES, WHICH I KNOW MOST OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE HEADING TO, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION OUT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. SO INSTEAD OF MEETING ONE ON ONE OR IN COMMITTEE I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE IN B SESSION TO ADDRESS THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT COUNCILMAN WHYTE TALKED ABOUT.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THIS FORWARD AND GETTING THOSE ON THE CALENDAR.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER MUNGIA.
>> MUNGIA: I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC. ONE PROCESS I'LL SAY IS THAT I DON'T THINK THE COUNCILMAN SHOULD HAVE DONE A CCR TO HAVE A B SESSION ON THIS TOPIC. I KNOW THIS WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED SOME TIME AGO AND THAT THE LAST COUNCIL HAD A [INDISCERNIBLE] AND IT GOT RESCHEDULED AND IT NEVER HAPPENED. BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CCR TO HAVE A B SESSION ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC. THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD, ERIK. >> AGREE.
>> MAYOR JONES: TO THAT POINT, I THINK THE REQUEST, THOUGH, FOR AN UPDATE ON THE STRATEGY ITSELF IS SOMETHING THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER COULD HAVE ASKED THE STAFF TO PROVIDE. SO EVEN, FRANKLY, NONE OF THIS NEEDED TO BE A CCR AT
ALL, CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY.
COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I WILL DISAGREE SLIGHTLY IN THAT A
PLAN WAS CREATED OR WAS A PLAN ALREADY UNDERWAY? >> A PLAN WAS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND THEN WE SAW THE CCR COME OUT AND WE LOOKED AT THE THINGS THAT WERE BEING ASKED FOR AND WE'VE INCORPORATED SOME OF THOSE THINGS AS WE'VE GONE ON.
SINCE GENERATIVE AI HIT THE PUBLIC WE HAVE HAD A PLAN IN PLACE THAT WE'VE BEEN
EVOLVING OVER TIME. >> AND WE DID HAVE A B SESSION SCHEDULED EARLIER THIS YEAR. IT MAY HAVE BEEN EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT THE COUNCIL WAS OVERCOME BY ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE WERE DEALING WITH IT AND IT DID NOT GET RESCHEDULED. SO IT'S TIMELY AND IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE NEED
TO KEEP IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: IS THE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ITSELF A CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT?
>> THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I THINK THERE'S A PUBLIC VERSION OF IT THAT WE COULD COME TO THAT TALK ABOUT WHAT OUR INTENT IS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IT'S CURRENTLY NOT THE STATE OF THE DOCUMENT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: FOR SURE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE -- IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT WE DO IN FACT HAVE A PLAN AND SOME MAJOR, I GUESS, GOALS OF THAT PLAN, BUT THE SPECIFIC ACTION STEPS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE TANGIBLE I THINK DEFINITELY WE SHOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION AND IN EXEC SO A BRIEFING ON THAT.
I DO THINK THAT THIS IS AN AREA THAT HAS EVOLVED SO RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT A QUARTERLY BRIEFING DOES MAKE SENSE. I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE B SESSIONS THAT ARE AIMED TO BE QUARTERLY BECAUSE I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE BRIEFINGS THAT WE GET AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE GET BRIEFED
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EVERY -- BIMONTHLY ALMOST AND NO -- NOTHING REALLY NEW HAS HAPPENED.SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER BRIEFINGS AND MEETINGS THAT WE'RE HAVING THAT THEY'RE AIMING TO BE EFFECTIVE AND THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TANGIBLE DIRECTION
ON THOSE. >> I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT, COUNCILMAN, BECAUSE WE ARE RESETTING WITH MONTHLY UTILITY BRIEFINGS, AND THE FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WE HAVE. I'M NOT SURE THAT QUARTERLY BRIEFINGS ARE POSSIBLE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO START THAT WAY AND GET THEM SCHEDULED, AND IF THINGS HAVE TO ADJUST BECAUSE OF OTHER MATTERS, THEN WE'LL ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
I HEAR THE COUNCIL LOUD AND CLEAR, GIVEN THE CHANGE IN ENVIRONMENT AND THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THIS THAT ARE PUBLIC FACING, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP IT IN FRONT OF THE COUNCIL AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. BUT WE'RE GOING TO START WORKING ON -- WE HAVE STARTED WORKING ON THE CALENDARING OF ITEMS THROUGH MID SUMMER NEXT YEAR AND SO WE'LL START WITH THE APPROPRIATE PACE OF TRYING TO DO THAT QUARTERLY AND
ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: IT WOULD BE HELPFUL EVEN BEFORE THAT CALENDAR IS SET, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH A LIST OF ALL OF THOSE RECURRING MEETINGS OR ALL OF THOSE RECURRING BRIEFINGS THAT WE'RE SET TO GET AND MAYBE WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WHAT'S NECESSARY AND WHAT'S
NOT, JUST SO THAT HELPS YOUR PLANNING FOR THE SUMMER. >> THAT'S GOOD, COUNCILMAN,
BECAUSE LIKELY YOU'LL GET -- YEAH. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ:
APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: CRAIG, THE FIRST MEETING BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR THAT I'D LIKE, AND AGAIN PART OF THIS IS WE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE BUDGET SESSION, I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU WOULD PUT IN PLACE THAT WOULD IN FACT HELP US SAVE MONEY.
SO I WOULD ASK THAT AS PART OF THE FIRST UPDATE TO THE B SESSION YOU KIND OF LAY OUT YOUR PLAN, BUT HEY, HERE ARE ALSO THE THREE OR FOUR THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT COULD BE SOFT SAVINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THE FY27 BUDGET.
>> ABSOLUTELY. AND I MAY SAY THERE'S A LOT OF HYPE OUT THERE AS WELL.
AS YOU GO TO VENDORS AND CONFERENCES, ASK WHAT'S REQUEST REAL AS WE GO THROUGH IT AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THAT AS WELL, YES.
>> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO -- GO AHEAD,
COUNCIL MEMBER. >> MUNGIA: ONE LAST COMMENT.
I THINK TALKING TO THE COUNCILMAN, I THINK HE FILED THIS BECAUSE OF FRUSTRATIONS AND THEY TRIED TO GET SOME INFORMATION FIRST [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THEN FILED THIS TO GET SOME INFORMATION. I'M ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT HE FILED THIS IN MAY AND NO ONE TOLD HIM THAT THAT THIS PLAN EXISTED SINCE THEN.
SO I THINK THAT COMMUNICATION NEEDS TO BE BETTER.
THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY ABOUT THAT. >> I CAN'T DISAGREE,
COUNCILMAN. >> MAYOR JONES: I STILL SEE THE SPONSOR IN THE BACK.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHY YOU FILED THE CCR?
>> WHYTE: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO MOVE THIS TO A B SESSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAYY? MOTION PASSES. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION FOR ITEM 9.
>> ITEM NUMBER 9 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM COUNCILMAN MARC
WHYTE, DISTRICT 10 ON TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT. >> THIS CCR WAS FILED IN MARCH OF 2025 BY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 AND THE REQUEST IS TO DEVELOP AND PUBLISH AN ANNUAL TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET DOCUMENT, SPECIFICALLY THE REQUEST IS THAT THIS STATEMENT INCLUDES PROPERTY TAX COMPARISON TO THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND THEN THE PROPOSED AND FINALLY ADOPTED BUDGET COMPARED TO THE CURRENT YEAR, AS WELL AS FEES AND UTILITY BILL COMPARISONS.
SO THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS CREATED THE IMPACT STATEMENT THAT INCLUDES THE CITY PROPERTY TAX COMPARISON FROM FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2026 ON THE MEDIAN ASSESSED VALUATION OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
ALSO INCLUDING THOSE FEES THAT ARE IMPOSED TO OUR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THE SOLID WASTE FEE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL FEE, THE PARKS ENVIRONMENTAL FEE AND THE STORM WATER UTILITY FREE. THOSE ARE THE FEES UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THOSE ARE REVIEWED ADDS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
WE WILL BE REQUESTING TO CPS AND SAWS TO PROVIDE US WITH AN IMPACT STATEMENT OF THE FEES THAT THEY ASSESS TO OUR RESIDENTS, AND THOSE WILL BE PROVIDED SEPARATELY AS THOSE FEES ARE NOT ADOPTED AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS PROCESS.
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SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE WILL BE COMPLETING IN THIS TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND IN COORDINATION WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WILL BE LEADING THAT EFFORT.AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THE
SPOTSER WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR.
YOU'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY SINCE YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.
I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THIS IS A -- I THINK A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY AND WHAT OUR CITY GOVERNMENT DOES AND GETTING THE ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO. SO EVERY YEAR, WHETHER IT'S GARBAGE CAN FEES OR OTHER FEES THAT ARE RAISED, SOME MAY BE LOWERED, SAME WITH CPS RATES GOING UP OR SAWS RATES GOING UP. WE HAVE RESIDENTS CALL OUR OFFICE, I'M SURE YOU TOO, ALL OF A SUDDEN SAY HEY, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS GOING ON.
WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN AM I BEING CHARGED THIS? I SAW THIS ON MY BILL THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THAT'S NOT RIGHT. THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO DESERVE TO KNOW IF WE'RE RAISING THEIR COSTS OF LIVING OR IF WE'RE DECREASING THEIR COSTS OF LIVING. SO WHAT WE DID IS WE LOOKED TO AUSTIN AND AUSTIN PASSED THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THEY DID A RESOLUTION, WHICH IS WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR HERE. I THINK WE NEED TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES MAYBE LIKE AUSTIN DID, THAT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE VOTE ON THE BUDGET THAT THE CITY PUBLISHES FOR THE CITIZENS ANY FEE CHANGES OR TAX INCREASES OR DECREASES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. THIS IS WHAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT LOOKS LIKE. AND SO I APPRECIATE STAFF'S WORK ON THIS. THE RECOMMENDATION I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE WITH BECAUSE WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS CITY STAFF DEVELOP WHAT OUR TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT WOULD LOOK LIKE, GET SOMETHING APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL AND THEN PUT AN ORDINANCE INTO PLACE THAT REQUIRES STAFF TO PUBLISH IT NOT JUST ON THE CITY WEBSITE, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, AS AUSTIN DOES, IN OUR SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS, IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER. IT'S TOO HARD FOR CITIZENS A LOT OF TIMES TO GET ONLINE AND FIND IT OR GO LOOK THROUGH BUDGET DOCUMENTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE NEED TO PUBLISH IT IN THE NEWSPAPER, MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR THE RESIDENTS TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. SO THAT IS MY REQUEST AND I
APPRECIATE Y'ALL CONSIDERING MOVING THIS FORWARD. >> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THIS ITEM BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.
CAN I GET A MOTION SO WE MAY BEGIN DISCUSSION? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO
APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: ANDY, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT WE LEGALLY HAVE TO DO ALREADY UNDER STATE LAW?
>> WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO BY STATE LAW IS WE HAVE TO BE VERY SPECIFIC AND THERE'S STATE LANGUAGE, MAYOR, THAT SPECIFIES IN TERMS OF THE TAX RATE THAT WITH A WE'RE DOING AS A COUNCIL. UNFORTUNATELY SOMETIMES THAT LANGUAGE IS NOT AS CLEAR AS FRANKLY CONFUSED THE PUBLIC, BUT WE ADHERE TO IT AND WE ALSO ADVISE THE COUNCIL THAT WE'RE NOT INCREASING TAXES, DESPITE THE LANGUAGE WE SOMETIMES GET FROM THE STATE. THE STATE IS VERY SPECIFIC FROM A PROPERTY TAX STANDPOINT WHAT WE'RE DOING. AND THAT'S ALL REALLY RIGHT NOW WHAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO
DO IS ON THE TAX, NOT NECESSARILY ON THE FEES. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.
I KNOW I MENTIONED THAT THE STATEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOLLOWING THIS MEETING. DO WE HAVE A VISUAL OF WHAT THIS STATEMENT LOOKS LIKE?
>> WE DO, COUNCILMAN. I DON'T HAVE COPIES FOR EVERYONE, BUT WE WILL PROVIDE THOSE AFTER THIS MEETING. SO WE HAVE DEVELOPED THE STATEMENT FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. IN ADDITION TO THAT IN A RECOMMENDATION, WE WOULD INCLUDE THIS AS PART OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET DOCUMENT THAT IS PRESENTED TO YOU ALL AND TO THE COMMUNITY 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE ADOPTED BUDGET. WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE IT AS PART OF THE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS WELL AWARE OF THOSE CHANGES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. AS YOU MAY KNOW WE GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE 10 COUNCIL MEETINGS, WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS, SO WE CAN DEFINITELY PROMOTE IT THROUGH THAT PROCESS AS WELL.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: FOR SURE. I GUESS WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN, AND IS SOUNDS LIKE THE REASON THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A
[01:45:03]
RESOLUTION OR AN ORDINANCE CODIFYING THIS STATEMENT, I'M WONDERING WILL IT NOW BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR FINANCIAL POLICY OR SOME OTHER -- WILL IT BE CODIFIED THAT WE UPDATE AND POST THIS STATEMENT ANNUALLY? IN SOMEWAY? >> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE PART OF OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES. IT WILL BE JUST PART OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, AND -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT REQUIRES AN ORDINANCE, BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY TO THE DECISION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL IF THEY WANTED TO DO THAT.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I GUESS, MAYOR, AND STAFF, I'LL SHARE THAT MY PHILOSOPHY AS IT RELATES TO CCRS IS WHEN A COUNCIL MEMBER FILES A CCR AND GETS SIGNATURES FROM FOUR SUPPORTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BEGIN THE DISCUSSION THAT WE ARE AS CLOSE TO THE INTENT -- WE ARE AS CLOSE TO THE INTENT AS POSSIBLE.
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE AT ANY POINT STAFF CAN JUST DECIDE WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS ANYMORE AND IT WILL TAKE THREE CYCLES FROM NOW, YOU LOOK BACK AND IT'S HEY, WASN'T THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DOING AND NOW WE'RE NOT.
SO I DO UNDERSTAND THE GOAL TO CREATE A SORT OF PERMANENT IMPACT STATEMENT THAT IS PUBLISHED, ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. AND I WONDER -- THE QUESTION THAT I WOULD HAVE IS HOW THE REST OF COUNCIL WOULD FEEL ABOUT A RESOLUTION OR AN ORDINANCE OR DOES EVERYBODY HAVE THE SAME EXPECTATION OR IS IT JUST THE FIVE FOLKS
WHO SIGNED THIS CCR? >> I DON'T KNOW, COUNCILMAN, BUT I THINK YOU RAISE A REALLY GOOD POINT. THIS INITIALLY CAME UP IN THE SPRINGTIME AND BASED ON EARLY CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBER WHYTE, WE WERE GOING TO INCORPORATE IT BECAUSE IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS ITEM WOULD GO THROUGH THE PREVIOUS TERM.
AND THEN HAD WE DONE THAT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED WITHIN OUR PROCESS WHICH WOULD HAVE MEMORIALIZED IT GOING FORWARD.
HERE WE ARE IN OCTOBER AND WHETHER IT IS AN ASPECT OF OUR FINANCIAL POLICY, WHICH GETS UPDATED IN THE BUDGET -- BY THE BUDGET ORDINANCE EVERY YEAR, OR IT'S A SEPARATE RESOLUTION OF INTENT BY THE COUNCIL TO INCORPORATE THE PUBLICATION, WHATEVER YOU ALL THINK HELP MEMORIALIZE THAT AS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IRRESPECTIVE OF WHO IS SITTING AS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR MAYOR OR CITY MANAGER
GOING FORWARD. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SO I GUESS --
>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THAT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: FAIR, THANK YOU.
SO I GUESS THE QUESTION THAT I WOULD POSE, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THIS REQUIRES AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION, BUT I DO THINK IF POSSIBLE I WOULD LIKE FOR STAFF TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROPOSAL.
AND I THINK THAT WOULD THEN BE WORTH A B SESSION DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE DO CREATE AN ACTUAL ORDINANCE OR IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IF EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE ENOUGH WITH IT AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR ONE ON ONES CAN COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT AN ORDINANCE BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL FOR AN A SESSION.
>> SURE. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: OKAY. >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD.
>> IF I MAY, MAYOR, ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING AN ORDINANCE WITH AN ESTABLISHED TIMELINE IS YOU WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE WHOLE BUDGET PROCESS UP.
BECAUSE ONCE YOU PUBLISH IT THEN YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: COULD WE DO IT WITH -- I GUESS TO ADDRESS THAT LEGALLY, COULD WE JUST NOT INCLUDE A
TIMELINE WITHIN THE ORDINANCE? >> YOU COULD, YEAH.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THEN THAT'S WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND THEN.
>> MAYOR JONES: ERIK, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO UPDATE THE FINANCIAL POLICY?
>> FULL COUNCIL INPUT. AND WE DO THAT AS PART OF THE ANNUAL WORK SESSION FOR
THE COUNCIL. IT'S ALL THE COUNCIL. >> MAYOR JONES: YOU DON'T
NECESSARILY NEED AN ORDINANCE. >> NO.
WE INCORPORATE THE FINANCIAL POLICIES WITHIN THE ADOPTED BUDGET ORDINANCE.
SO WE GET THE INPUT ON THE FRONT END AND THEN THEY'RE INCORPORATED IN THE ANNUAL
BUDGET. >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. MAYOR, WOULD IT THEN BE POSSIBLE, AFTER YOU HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, COULD WE THEN HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE AT
THIS COMMITTEE? >> MAYOR JONES: WE COULD, WE COULD.
COUNCIL MEMBER MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: I HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TAKE THAN THE COUNCILMAN ABOUT THIS. I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AN ORDINANCE.
THE 66% OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR BUDGET IS NOT AN ORDINANCE, THAT'S A BUDGET POLICY THAT WE FOLLOW EVERY SINGLE YEAR. SO I THINK IT CAN JUST BE A POLICY -- A BUDGET POLICY. AND I THINK THE GREAT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THAT IS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. IF WE WANT TO HAVE SOME INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL INPUT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, THAT'S FINE, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE HASH OUT A LITTLE BIT OF POLICIES, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT BUDGET POLICIES NORMALLY RIGHT AFTER WE PASSED BUDGET. SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.
AND I THINK IT ALSO, WHAT'S GOING TO BE ON THAT FORM I THINK IS IMPORTANT TOO.
[01:50:01]
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON THERE HOW MUCH WE SAVE TAXPAYERS BY REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE EVERY YEAR THAT WE DO THAT. THAT'S A SAVINGS THAT RESIDENTS HAVE THAT'S NOT KNOWN TO THEM. SO THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD WANT ON THAT FORM, BUT I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AN ORDINANCE, I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO REALLY BUBBLE UP TOO MUCH UNTIL THE BUDGET PROCESS BEGINS EARLY, AND THEN WE CAN ADD THAT IN AND PUBLISH THAT WHEN IT NEEDS TO BE PUBLISHED. THAT'S MY TAKE.>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN. VEE VEE YES, I DON'T THINK
WE NEED -- >> VIAGRAN: YES, I DON'T THINK WE NEED AN ORDINANCE.
I THINK IF THEY NEED TO ON A ONE-PAGER PUT WHERE FEE INCREASE IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE DO THAT. I REALLY THINK IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHAMBERS, THE NOVEMBER OF ASSOCIATIONS, THE ORGANIZATIONS TO PUT OUT THE MESSAGE THIS IS HOW MUCH -- THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU'RE HAVING TO PAY, THIS IS HOW COST OF LIVING DOES THAT. WE HAVE TONS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS THAT INVITE US TO TONS OF EVENTS THAT DO THAT AND HAVE THE STAFF TO DO THAT. SO I DO NOT -- I AM NOT FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE STAFF TO DO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING -- EVERYTHING IS OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN DOCUMENTS THAT EXPRESS NEWS CAN DO THIS ON THEIR OWN.
THEY DON'T NEED US TO PUBLISH A PAGE THAT TELLS THEM WHAT'S HAPPENING.
SO I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS TO MAKE IT PART OF THE
WORK BUDGET PROCESS. CAN WE GO AHEAD AND VOTE? >> MAYOR JONES: I THINK WE HAVE SOME OTHER COMMENTS HERE. ERIK, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING
YOU WANTED TO SAY? >> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE.
ONE OF THE ITEMS IS COVERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE FOR GOVERNANCE AND CCRS IS TO GO DO ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL WORK, SO AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, LET'S -- WE'LL PRODUCE WHAT THE STATEMENT COULD LOOK LIKE, BRING IT BACK TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, DO A LITTLE BIT MORE DUE DILIGENCE ON THE PROS AND CONS OF ORDINANCE VERSUS NO ORDINANCE INCORPORATED WITHIN THE FINANCIAL POLICIES, AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE SOME MORE MEAT BEFORE YOU ALL WEIGH
IN. THAT'S ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD,
COUNCILMAN. >> WHYTE: IF I COULD HAVE A SUGGESTION.
I WOULD JUST SAY THAT A LITTLE DISAGREEMENT WITH COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER, AND IF WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE THE TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT, IT COSTS US A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS TO PUT IT IN THE EXPRESS NEWS. WE NEED TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE.
WE'VE GOT OLDER FOLKS THAT STILL TAKE THE NEWSPAPER. THEY DON'T GO ONLINE.
THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THE WEBSITES. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO LOOK FOR THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS AND ALL THE REST OF IT.
WE NEED TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR FOLKS TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO I APPRECIATE ERIK'S SENTIMENT. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO LET STAFF GO WORK ON WHAT THE IMPACT STATEMENT WOULD ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE, THEN BRING IT BACK TO YOU ALL AND THEN WE CAN DECIDE HOW BEST OR YOU ALL CAN DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO MOVE IT SO THAT WE CAN DECIDE HOW BEST TO LET THE
PUBLIC SEE IT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE IDEA, COUNCILMAN. I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE AS FOLKS DO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL INCREASES THAT THEY MAY BE EXPERIENCING, OTHERWISE IT'S CERTAINLY, AGAIN, AS WE BEGIN TO SEE THE IMPACTS OF THESE FEDERAL CUTS, COUNTIES, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, CHAMPIONSHIP, SNAP, FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT EACH OF THOSE BILLS A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY. I APPRECIATE THE INTENT.
I DO SUPPORT THIS. I SUPPORT IT COMING BACK TO US WITH AN IDEA OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, ERIK, SO WE CAN ALL UNDERSTAND THAT AND THEN TO COUNCILMAN MUNGIA'S POINT, IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE IN THAT OR PHRASE IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY SO IT'S AS CLEAR AS WE ARE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE, WE CAN DO THAT. AND FRANKLY, WE CAN ALL TALK TO EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THIS NOW IS GOING TO HELP THEM ACCOMPLISH.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT COMING BACK TO GOVERNANCE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: SO THE INITIAL MOTION IS TO HAVE THE STAFF COMPLETE WORK AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY COME BACK AND BRING SOMETHING ADDITIONAL TO US. SO ON THE FIRST MOTION, WHICH WAS TO APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
[01:55:03]
WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE FIRST ONE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO AMEND THATONE? >> IF THE SECOND ONE SOUNDS LIKE A MOTION TO CONTINUE, WHAT WOULD TAKE PRECEDENCE, TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT GOVERNANCE MEETING.
>> I MAKE A MOTION. I MOVE TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO THE NEXT GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE MEETING. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. IS THERE A SECOND? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO THE FOLLOWING GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? OPPOSED? OKAY. MOTION PASSES.
THANKS. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION FOR ITEM 10.
>> ITEM 10 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JALEN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, DISTRICT 2, AND TERI CASTILLO, DISTRICT 5, ON TRACKING AND
PREVENTING HEAT DEATHS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
YES, THIS ITEM -- THIS ITEM 10 WAS SUBMITTED BACK ON APRIL 16TH OF THIS YEAR BY COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 AND A. THE CCR MENTIONS HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND DEATHS AND LOOKING AT PROLONG AND REPEAT EXPOSURE. IT DID ASK THAT WE LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES, CONFERRING WITH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE TEXAS STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS WELL AS LOOKING AT OUR LOCAL PLANS HERE AND OUR TRACKING SYSTEM. SO WITH THIS JUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL CONUNDRUM AS WE THINK ABOUT HEAT-RELATED DEATHS, BUT WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES AND I DID WANT TO PUT IN CONTEXT TIED TO THIS CCR THESE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE THAT ALIGN WITH THE CCR.
CURRENTLY APPROXIMATE METRO HEALTH MAINTAINS A DASHBOARD THAT IS UPDATED WEEKLY ON WEDNESDAYS FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS DATA FROM EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS VISITS STARTING BACK IN 2022.
THE DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A HEAT RESILIENCE PLAYBOOK IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR DEPARTMENT AND OTHER CO-IS A DEPARTMENTS.
COSA HAS A CLIMATE READY PLAN TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION RELATED TO CLIMATE IMPACTS, LOWERING EMISSIONS AND BUILDING RESILIENCE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND FINALLY, CA CONTINUES TO FOCUS COMMUNICATION EFFORTS ON HOW THE COMMUNITY WITH MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF HEAT ON OUR HOT WEATHER WEB PAGE. THIS ALSO CONTAINS RESILIENCE HUBS AND PLACES TO STAY COOL. JUST KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE. THESE ARE JUST A FEW THAT WE LIST, FEW RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USEFUL TO YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
THE FIRST IS THE ACCESSIBLE ALERT SA, WHICH COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ALERT NOTIFICATIONS AND OUR VIDEOS ARE ALSO IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.
THE SECOND IS THE HOT WEATHER WEBSITE THAT CONTAINS THE INFORMATION DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY. AND FINALLY, THE QR CODE FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES DASHBOARD THAT IS MAINTAINED BY OUR DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, THESE ARE INITIATIVES, THESE ARE RESOURCES. JUST KNOW THAT THE NATIONAL CONUNDRUM AROUND THIS HAS TO DO WITH ACTUALLY HERE IN TEXAS, NOT HAVING A STANDARDIZED WAY TO TRACK THESE HEAT-RELATED DEATHS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE BEEN APPLYING THE BEST PRACTICES AND HAVE CONFERRED WITH NOT ONLY THE BEXAR COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY -- BEXAR COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER AS WELL AS TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, AND WE HAVE CONFERRED WITH THE MARICOPA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WE, SAN ANTONIO, WE ARE A MEMBER OF THE BIG CITIES HEALTH COALITION AND LATER THIS WEEK I'LL BE VISITING THAT HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WE'LL BE HEARING AS BEST PARAGRAPHS OF WHAT THEY AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY AND WHAT WE CAN APPLY TO THE COALITION OF HEALTH DEPARTMENTS FROM COAST TO COAST. SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS CONSIDER AN INCREASING AWARENESS, WE EDUCATE AROUND HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES.
WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER, AS WELL AS THE STATE. SO THAT CONCLUDES MY FORMAL PRESENTATION.
I SHOULD MENTION THAT SINCE IT DOES TAKE A VILLAGE TO DO THIS WORK, I AM JOINED BY NOT ONLY OUR CHIEF RESILIENCY OFFICER OVERSEEING THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENT OF RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY, AS WELL AS OUR PARTNERS AT UT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAN ANTONIO THAT'S THE NEW SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH THAT WENT LIVE LAST YEAR, SO WE DO HAVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS BESIDES OUR STAFF AND WORK WITH OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR AS WELL AS DR. ESPINOZA, OUR CHIEF OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. THAT CONCLUDES MY FORMAL REPORTER AND WE'RE HERE TO
ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> MAYOR JONES: AS
[02:00:02]
CO-SPONSOR OF THE CCR, COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ ISRECOGNIZED TO SPEAK. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU.
CAN WE INVITE COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO TO SPEAK FIRST. >> MAYOR JONES: SURE.
COUNCIL MEMBER, PLEASE SPEAK. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU ALL. THIS IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ AND MYSELF AS WELL AS THE SOUTHWEST UNION AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORKERS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE LOST LIVES TO THE EXTREME HEAT IN SAN ANTONIO.
DISTRICT 5 ASKED THAT THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE REFER THIS POLICY REQUEST TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE. AS MENTIONED, THERE IS A MEETING THAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN ARIZONA AND I THINK THERE IS VALUE IN GOING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WITH AN UPDATE ON WHAT THEY LEARN IN TERMS OF HOW ARIZONA COORDINATES WITH TRACKING DATA. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WHAT'S PRESENTED IN THE PRESENTATION IS THAT THERE'S NO FORMAL WAY OF TRACKING THIS INFORMATION AND THAT IS ACKNOWLEDGED WITHIN THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST. AND THE CCR RECOGNIZES THAT THE CURRENT LACK OF STANDARDIZATION, WHICH IS WHY WE ASKED FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO WORK WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES TO EXPLORE BEST PRACTICES, WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND A TRACKING METHOD WHICH MEETS THE SPIRIT OF THE REQUEST.
AS DR. JACOB MENTIONED, MARICOPA COUNTY'S HEAT ILLNESS AND DEATH DASHBOARD ILLUSTRATES THIS REQUEST CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION, AND THEIR DASHBOARD INCLUDES METRICS AND THE FOLLOWING DATA POINTS LIKE HEAT-RELATED HOSPITAL VISITS, HEAT DEATHS BASED ON OFFICIAL DEATH CERTIFICATE DATA AND HEAT-CAUSED DEATHS TO INCLUDE CASES WHERE HEAT EXPOSURE IS LISTED AS THE DIRECT CAUSE OF DEATH. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL
MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COLLABORATION ON THIS EFFORT AND FOR EVERYONE HERE IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM TODAY. THIS STARTED AS A REQUEST THAT WE RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE ALL TOO AWARE OF THE CRISIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE HEALTHED DEATHS, PARTICULARLY IN TEXAS AND IN SAN ANTONIO WHERE TEMPERATURES REACH ACROSS 90 DE. IN TEXAS MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES INCLUDING OUR OWN TA MARA JONES, A DISTRICT 2 RESIDENT WHO WAS UNHOUSED AND DURING ONE OF THE HOTTEST WEEKS OF THE YEAR SHE DIED OF THE HEAT, BUT WITHOUT THE SHELTER OR RESOURCES TO SURVIVE IT. WE KNOW THAT EXTREME HEAT DOESN'T IMPACT EVERYONE EQUALLY. IT'S OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, WORKERS, SENIORS, COMMUNITIES WITH FEWER TREES AND MORE ASPHALT WHO FACE THE HIGHER RISKS. IF WE'RE DOING ENOUGH, PEOPLE LIKE TAMARA WOULDN'T BE DYING UNNECESSARILY. I DO WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF, METRO HELP AND OUR PARTNERS FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK, BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE.
WE NEED STANDARDIZED TRACKING OF HEAT-RELATED DEATH AND A HEAT ISLAND MITIGATION PLAN TO REDUCE LOSS OF LIFE AND TO UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE SO SO WE CAN ADAPT AND IMPLEMENT MORE SOLUTIONS. FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS I AM GOING TO OPPORTUNITY TO WORKSHOP SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES THAT WE'RE SEEING ON THE GROUND EVERYDAY AND THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE FACING. YOU CAN IDENTIFY ANY NUMBER OF CHALLENGES IN I AM POLICEMENNING A POLICY IDEA, A AND THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT THAT A COMMITTEE REVIEW THE POEMS AND DISCUSS ANY THAT STAFF MAY IDENTIFY OR DISCOVER. SO IN DOING SO THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT THE BOARD COULD TACKLE THAT MAYBE WE DIDN'T THINK OF ORIGINALLY.
SO I MOVE TO REFER THIS TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF A POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AND OTHER APPLICABLE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP OPTIONS ON HOW WE
MIGHT ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF THIS CCR. >> MAYOR JONES: OTHER
DISCUSSION? COUPLE, GOCOUNCILWOMAN. >> MUNGIA: I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I THINK THIS DISCUSSION CAME UP ONE OR TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS SOME HEAT RELATED ORDINANCES, ESPECIALLY THE REST BREAK ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES FOLKS TO HAVE A DEDICATED REST TIME IN CONSTRUCTION.
I KNOW THAT WE DISCUSSED THAT THE CITY DOESN'T DO THAT AND THE STATE HAS SOME SORT OF TRACKING. I DO THINK IT'S EXTREME EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
AS THE COUNCILMAN MENTIONED THE HEAT IS GETTING MORE SEVERE IN THE SUMMER.
IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. AND I MENTIONED THIS IN THE HOMELESS DISCUSSION THERE ARE FOLKS DYING ON THE STREET THAT WE'RE NOT TRACKING AS A RESULT OF WHAT THE CAUSE IS OF THAT. AND IT'S TYPICALLY EXTREME WEATHER SITUATIONS THAT HAPPENS AND WITH SOME OF THE UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT FOLKS HAVE.
SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS IN SAN ANTONIO THAT COULD HELP GET THIS DATA TOGETHER WITH MINIMAL IMPACT TO METRO HEALTH STAFF. THERE'S HEALTH HOSPITALS AND COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN DO THAT, AND I THINK IT'S A SMALL ASK THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM HEAT.
[02:05:01]
AND I THINK IT CAN INFORM US ON OTHER THINGS. IF WE HAVE THIS DATA AND WE FIND OUT THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE DYING AS A RESULT OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE SUMMERTIME THAT SHOULD INFORM US ON WHAT WE DO AT THE CITY LEVEL.IF IT INFORMS US THAT THAT THE PEOPLE DYING FROM HEAT ARE HOMELESS, THAT NEEDS TO INFORM US ON OUR POLICIES. I THINK IT CAN INFORM US ON WHAT WE DO AT THE CITY AND I THINK IT CAN HELP US BE BETTER ADVOCATES AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL BY SAYING THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING, IN SAN ANTONIO. THE STATE MAY NOT HAVE A STANDARD, BUT MAYBE WE CAN HELP CREATE THAT STANDARD FOR OUR OWN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SO THAT'S MY THOUGHT ON THAT.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: YES, THANK YOU. GOVERNANCE IS NEW FOR ME HERE AND SO IN THE -- WANTING THE ISSUE TO GO FORWARD, BUT NOT NECESSARILY WANTING TO SEE THE ORDINANCE COME THROUGH AS THE CCR AS IT'S WRITTEN.
WE CAN STILL SEND IT. DO WE NEED TO MAKE AMENDMENTS OR CAN WE SEND IT AS IT IS, CONFIDENT THAT THE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS?
>> I WOULD -- TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN, YOU WOULD FORWARD IT TO THE COMMITTEE WHERE THE ISSUES WOULD BE MORE ROBUSTLY LOOKED AT AND ANALYZED AND I'M SURE THERE WOULD BE MODIFICATIONS THAT WOULD COME BACK TO -- IF THE
COMMITTEE DECIDES TO MOVE IT TO FULL COUNCIL. >> VIAGRAN: AND STOP ME IF IT'S NOT RELEVANT TO THIS, BUT COULD STAFF COME NEXT TIME WE HAVE A CCR AND BRING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT IT GETS MOVED TO THE COMMITTEE TO BE CONSIDERED WITH POSSIBLY SOME OTHER INITIATIVES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED WITHIN THE COMMITTEE?
>> CERTAINLY, COUNCIL MEMBER, PARTICULARLY ISSUES THAT ARE VERY MUCH RELATED OR TIED TO THE ISSUES THAT THE CCR IS TRYING TO ADDRESS.
>> VIAGRAN: BECAUSE I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GO INTO CHECK AND SEE THE CHECK COMMITTEE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS SIMPLY BECAUSE AS WE TALK ABOUT RACISM AND POVERTY AND THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS THAT THEY CREATE, WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER WHO IS -- WHO IS OUT ON THE STREETS WITH THESE EXTREME TEMPERATURES, EITHER WORKING OR LIVING. SO I AM IN SUPPORT OF MOVING THIS OVER TO CHECK, BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IT MOVED INTO THE BIGGER, BROADER ISSUES THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING INSTEAD OF NICHE. BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE OTHER DEATHS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO SOMEONE'S POVERTY OR SOMEONE'S RACE AND THAT WE NEED TO TRACK ALSO. AND SO I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT KIND OF LOOK BIGGER PICTURE AND THEN ALSO SEE THEM DISCUSS WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN ARIZONA BECAUSE IT IS ONLY GETTING HOTTER, AND WE ARE SEEING THAT IF THINGS AREN'T TAKEN CARE OF THE WAY THEY SHOULD, AIR CONDITIONERS GO OUT, WATER ISN'T AVAILABLE, PIPES BUST IN EXTREME HEAT AND EXTREME COLD.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT? SO I DO APPLAUD THE EFFORTS IT THAT WE'RE DOING.
I THINK WE'RE DOING A LOT TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT I KNOW IT GETS INTO WHAT DOES THE DEATH GET ATTRIBUTED TO? THE HEAT OR THE FACT THAT THEY HAD A HEART CONDITION AND THE HEAT EXACERBATED THAT? SO I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD THAT IS AND HOW IT'S NUANCED. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THIS TO SEE WHAT CHECK CAN HAVE A
DISCUSSION ABOUT. THANK YOU. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU,
MAYOR. YOU >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT THE CCR ASKS THAT MET TOW HEALTH TRACK HEAT-RELATED DEATHS IN SAN ANTONIO THROUGH INTERGOVERNMENTAL COLLABORATION AND BEST PRACTICES, ALL OF WHICH AS CLAUDE TALKED ABOUT, WE HAVE A DASHBOARD WE UPDATE EVERY WEDNESDAY. AND THE NO ACTION PART OF THIS IS THAT WE CAN'T STANDARDIZE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE AND TRACK ACCURATELY.
AND CLAUDE MENTIONED THAT. IN FACT, OUR NUMBERS ARE PROBABLY UNDERREPRESENTED ON OUR WEBSITE BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OR THE STANDARDS BY WHICH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE ISSUES THE DEATH CERTIFICATES.
SO WHAT I DON'T WANT TO GET LOST, AND I THINK IT'S MORE IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN WAS DISCUSSING IS THAT WHEN WE SAY NO FURTHER ACTION, WE STILL HAVE TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT CLAUDE SAID. WE STILL NEED TO LEARN FROM
[02:10:03]
MARICOPA OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE.WE'RE STILL GOING TO UPDATE OUR DASHBOARD, BUT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR A A WAY TO BE ABLE TO ACCURATELY REFLECT. IT'S JUST THE NOTION OF THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST IS THAT THE CITY SHALL DO THIS AND THAT'S THE PART THAT'S NOT COMPLETELY UP TO US, BUT WITH HE NEED TO KEEP TRYING TO SCALE THAT WALL. I WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL CONTEXT.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANKS, ERIK. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT AND FRANKLY, LIKE OTHER KS, AS PRESENTED. THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION.
THERE COULD BE -- THAT'S WHY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS CT WAS BEING DEVELOPED THAT THEY WORK WITH THE STAFF TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ALREADY EXISTS TO CRAIG'S POINT, BUT ALSO WHAT IS IN THE REALM OF POSSIBLE WHERE THINGS ARE IN THE TIMELINE.
MAYBE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT POTENTIALLY A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BASED ON THE RESULT OF YOUR TRIP TO ARIZONA. I DO SUPPORT THIS MOVING FORWARD TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MAY BE EXACERBATING SOME OF THESE HEALTH CONDITIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THERE'S ALSO SOME SYNERGIES THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT, THE DATA THAT MAY BE COLLECTED. AND EVEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE THAT CAN HELP INFORM SIGNIFICANT PLANS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY LIKE OUR CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN, AS WELL AS WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA AND WHERE SOME OF THESE THINGS MAY BE EXACERBATED GEOGRAPHICALLY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT FUNDING MAY NEED TO LOOK LIKE FOR ADDITIONAL COOLING RESOURCES IN CERTAIN AREAS. I KNOW THERE'S SOME THOUGHTFUL RESEARCH HAPPENING AT UTSA, THOSE THAT ARE MONITORING FRANKLY THE TEMPERATURES IN SOMEONE'S HOUSE, THAT CAN BE HIGHER THAN WHAT IT IS OUTSIDE. BUT THEN UNDERSTANDING THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE PROBABLY FACING A WHOLE OTHER RANGE OF CHALLENGES THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR AT THE CITY LEVEL. SO I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE AS WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS THAT ARE FACING THIS, NOT UNLIKE -- LIKE THEY ARE IN PHOENIX AND THEN HELPING THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT UTSA TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN THE REALM OF POSSIBLE. TO YOUR POINT, IT MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT, BUT HOW CAN WE GET SOME BETTER DATA TO HELP MAKE SOME INFORMED DECISIONS? OKAY. SO THERE IS -- ANY OTHER DISCUSSION AROUND THE TABLE? OKAY. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO REFER THIS TO THE CHC FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION WITH THE UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER ABOUT WHAT OPTIONS MIGHT BE POSSIBLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE
CAPTION FOR ITEM 11. >> ITEM NUMBER 11 IS A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST ON DEDICATING THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN HONOR OF COACH
GREGG POPOVICH. >> MAYOR, I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS ONE.
>> OKAY, ART. >> SO THE COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED ON MAY 14TH BY DISTRICT 8. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO COACH POPOVICH IS, AND THE REQUEST WAS TO RENAME THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AFTER THE COACH. NEXT SLIDE. SO I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THIS, BUT MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE WENT THROUGH A PRETTY EXPANSIVE REBRANDING EFFORT OF THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. WE SPENT A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS OVER THAT COST. WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY CHANGES TO THE NAME TO THE AIRPORT AT THIS POINT GOING FORWARD, NOR DO WE HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE FOR ANY OF THAT. SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING NO FURTHER ACTION ON THIS ITEM.
>> MAYOR JONES: STAFF IS RECOMMENDING NO FURTHER ACTION.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO WE CAN BEGIN DISCUSSION. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO
APPROVE. >> MAYOR JONES: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
I'LL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? MOTION PASSES. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION FOR ITEM NUMBER 12?
>> ITEM NUMBER 12 IS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TERI CASTILLO, DISTRICT 5, AND JALEN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, DISTRICT 2O SAN ANTONIO
TRADES ADVISORY BOARD. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS IS THE LAST ITEM SO THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE WORK THROUGH THESE.
THIS ITEM WAS SPLITTED SUBMITTEN APRIL OF 2025 AND REQUEST THAT WE CREATE A TRADE ADVISORY BOARD TO PROVIDE FORMAL INPUT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON CITY
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PROJECTS, WORKFORCE POLICIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES TO PROTECT LABOR STANDARDS TO ENSURE FAIR WAGES AND TO PRIORITIZE THE LOCAL COARSE DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY IT ASKS FOR THE LAUNCH OF A ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOCUSING ON CITY FUNDED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO INCLUDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND THEN TO EXPAND TO COVER MUNICIPAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, THINK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS AND WORKFORCE POLICIES. IT OKAY ASKS FOR THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC COMPLIANCE DASHBOARD WHICH TRACKS CONSIDERATE VIOLATIONS SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOU ALL ON THIS CCR, FIRST I'LL START WITH SOME BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS. THIS WOULD CREATE ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME TO BE NECESSARY TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COVERING THESE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS AND THE POLICY CREATION OF THAT BOARD. ADDITIONALLY STAFF TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COMPLIANCE OVER THOSE LABOR STANDARDS AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION. CURRENTLY DEDICATED STAFF EXISTS TO OVERSEE PREVAILING WAGE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN SOLICITATIONS AND SO THOSE FOLKS WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BUT THEIR ROLE WOULD BE EXPANDED, WE'D NEED MORE OF THEM TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE THROUGHOUT CONSTRUCTION WHILE THE PROJECT IS BEING COMPLETED. SOME LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS, THE CITY CHARTER PROHIBITS THIS COUNCIL FROM DELEGATING ITS OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY TO ANY OTHER BODY, INCLUDING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, SO ANY PROPOSED BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE ADVISORY ONLY IN CAPACITY. I THINK WHAT WE SAW AND WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE CCR WE WOULD NEED TO THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE ADVISELY ONLY. I THINK IT'S MORE THAN ADVISORY IN THE WAY IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED TODAY. SO STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO NOT MOVE THIS FORWARD DUE TO THOSE BUDGETARY AND LEGALCONSTRAINTS. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO, YOU'RE
RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REVIEW THE DISTRICT 5 ITEMS AND FOR THE COOPERATION OF COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ AND THOSE WHO SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THIS TODAY.
THE TRADE ADVISE I HAVE BOARD IS INTENDED TO SERVE IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY AND ONLY HAS A BUILT IN ONE YEAR PILOT PHASE. THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE COULD SOLVE THE CONCERNS ABOUT MOVING IT FORWARD TO EWDC OR TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WITH AND THAT THEY BE STRICTLY ADVISORY.
WE HAVE HAD HAD THE DATA AND INFORMATION THE TAB WOULD NEED TO REVIEW IN ORDER TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS. IT IS A MATTER OF SHARING IT.
IT COMBINES DASHBOARD WOULD SIMPLY ENSOME YOU ARE THAT ETHICAL COMPANIES ARE RECOGNIZED AND BAD ACTORS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE STAFF TIME SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AN INVESTMENT IN IMPROVING SAFER WORKING CONSIDERATIONS, FAIR WAGES AND STRONGER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING, ESTABLISHING THE TAB IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THE READY TO WORK'S GOAL OF CREATING A SKILLED COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO TRAINING AND EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY IN HIGH DEMAND SECTORS LIKE THE VOTING TRADES. AND MANY OF YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MATT GONZÁLEZ AND I WANT TO PULL AN EXCERPT FROM THAT WHICH STATES THAT THE WORKERS, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO BUILD AND MAINTAIN SAN ANTONIO'S INFRASTRUCTURE, DESERVE REPRESENTATION, A VOICE AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO ADVISE ON THE POLICIES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THEIR LIVELIHOODS. TEXAS REMAINS THE DEADLIEST STATE IN THE NATION FOR WORKERS, PARTICULARLY IN CONSTRUCTION. EVERYDAY WORKERS FACE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT SUPPOSE SUR TO INADEQUATE TRAINING AND JOB SITES HAZARDS. THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD IS NOT ABOUT INDUSTRY CONVENING, IT IS ABOUT WORKER PROTECTION, FAIR WAGES AND CREATING A SUSTAINABLE PIPELINE OF SKILLED LABOR. THE TRADES ADVISORY BOARD IS NOT A REGULATORY BURDEN, IT IS A SAFEGUARD FOR WORKERS WHO POWER THIS INDUSTRY.
THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD AND TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY, FAIRNESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT PROTECTS THOSE, RISK THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY AND TO BUILD THIS CITY. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ IS A CO-SPONSOR.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING THOSE WHO BROUGHT THIS IDEA TO US AND SHOWED SUPPORT, AS WELL AS TO COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR HER COLLABORATION ON THIS ITEM.
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD AND I DON'T HAVE TO HARP ON ANY OF THOSE ISSUES ANY FURTHER. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT ANY LEGAL CONCERNS THAT OUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS IDENTIFIED OR ANY FISCAL CONCERNS COULD BE HIGHLIGHTED AND ADDRESSED AHEAD AND AT ANY FUTURE COMMITTEE TAAS ASSIGNED TO AND THERE WOULD BE SURELY MORE ROBUST CONVERSATIONS AT THE COMMITTEE THAT TAKE US TO A HAPPY PLACE.
THE INTENTION OF THE CCR IS NOT TO HAVE A WORKED TO EXCEED THE INFLUENCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OR HAVE FINAL DECISIONS OVER CITY POLICY, BUT INSTEAD TO PROVIDE
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REPRESENTATIONS WITH SPECIFIC GOALS AND CRITERIA IN MIND.AND FOR THAT FEEDBACK TO BE RELAYED TO COUNCIL DURING ANY PERTINENT DISCUSSIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS ITEM HASHED OUT AT THE COMMITTEE AND MAKE ITS WAY TO THE A SESSION FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION. I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE PATH FORWARD, BUT I'LL START WITH A MOTION TO MOVE THIS
TO THE ECONOMIC WORKFORCE COMMITTEE. >> MAYOR JONES:
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN? >> VIAGRAN: I SUPPORT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE LEGAL ISSUES AND AS CHAIR OF EWDC I AM COMMITTED TO ADDRESS THE TAB BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR IN DECEMBER. SO I THINK WE CAN SUPPORT STAFF'S DECISION AND THEN BRING THE TAB TO THE EWDC SO WE CAN LOOK AND DISCUSS THE ADVISORY BOARD, THE ADVISORY PIECE OF IT AND THEN HAVE SOMETHING FOR A SESSION, HOPE -- I CAN'T COMMIT TO Y'ALL WHEN WE WOULD HAVE A SESSION BECAUSE I NEED TO GET IN THE ROOM WITH CHC AND HOPEFULLY THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR ABOUT WHAT AN ADVISORY BOARD WOULD LOOK LIKE. A TRADES ADVISORY BOARD WOULD LOOK LIKE. THE CCR WE JUST PASSED, ITEM NUMBER 5, I THINK THAT WILL BE A CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, BUT MY COMMITMENT AS CHAIR IS TO ADDRESS THE TRADES ADVISORY BOARD BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR IN COMMITTEE AND BRING
SOMETHING EARLY NEXT YEAR TO THE FULL COUNCIL. >> MAYOR JONES: ANDY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO SOME OF THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT INFORMED THE RECOMMENDATION?
>> YES, MAYOR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE --Y ATTACHMENT 8 TO THE CCR, AS WAS NOTED, THE INTENT WAS TO MAKE IT ADVISORY, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE LITERAL READING OF THE -- OF ATTACHMENT A AND I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE UNDER SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES, SET AND ENFORCE FAIR LABOR CRITERIA FOR CITY CONTRACTING, THAT'S A ROLE FOR COUNCIL UNDER THE CITY CHARTER.
SO THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE. THERE'S A COUPLE OTHERS IN ATTACHMENT A THAT AT LEAST LEAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENFORCE OR TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE ON COMPLIANCE. AND ALTHOUGH THAT WASN'T THE INTENT, WE CAN CERTAINLY MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE STRUCTURE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SO THAT IT FITS VERY NEATLY INTO WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE UNDER THE CHARTER OR WHAT THE ROLE THE CITY MANAGER HAS AND CITY COUNCIL IN TERMS OF POLICY.
>> MAYOR JONES: I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT ON THE COUNCIL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, UNDERSTANDING THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT OUR WORKFORCE IS TAKEN CARE OF IN AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME OF THE READINGS OF THE ACTUAL WORDS ARE A BIT OF THE CHALLENGE BECAUSE I THINK AS THE COUNCILWOMAN DESCRIBED THE INTENT IS ABSOLUTELY FOR IT TO BE ADVISORY AND NOT TO USURP IN ANY WAY THE RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES OR AUTHORITIES OF THIS BODY OR OF THE CITY. SO HOW -- TO GIVE US AN IDEA, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DO, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY, WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD THAT MAY INVITE LEGAL RISK. HOW MIGHT WE -- HOW LONG MIGHT IT TAKE YOU TO JUST RED LINE A VERSION OF THIS TO HELP THIS GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE UNDERSTAND WHAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE AND STILL MEET THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF AN ADVISORY BOARD?
>> CERTAINLY WE COULD HAVE A RED LINE BY THE NEXT GOVERNANCE OR WE CAN
PROBABLY HAVE IT RELINED IN A WEEK, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY.
I APPRECIATE THE VERY QUICK REVIEW THERE. AND THAT MAY GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE PASSING TO ANY COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT DOCUMENT WOULD ALSO BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO ALSO REVIEW AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT ABOUT THE LIMITATIONS OF THAT WORD, IF YOU WILL. I THINK WE'RE ALL JUST VERY SENSITIVE TO KIND OF ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES AS A RESULT OF THIS, UNDERSTANDING WE'RE ALL TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE SAME THING HERE. OKAY. SO THE CURRENT MOTION ON THE
TABLE -- YEAH, PLEASE, GO AHEAD, COUNCIL MEMBER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND YOU WOULD CLARIFY THAT I SECONDED, OF COURSE, BUT THE MOTION WAS TO MOVE TO EWDC SOME OF COURSE I SUPPORT THAT AND I THINK THE LEGAL THINGS CAN BE HASHED OUT AHEAD OF THE COMMITTEE EASILY. MAYBE IT WAS JUST A TYPO ON THE POINT ABOUT THAT. SO I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY -- NO DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY WAS INTENDED, I'M SURE ON THIS. AND WALK ME THROUGH REALLY QUICKLY, WHAT WERE YOUR BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS AS A RESULT OF YOU'RE
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RECOMMENDING NOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS? >> COUNCIL MEMBER, I THINK WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ILLUSTRATE IS THAT THE NUMBER OF STAFF NECESSARY TO START MONITORING THE THINGS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THIS CCR DON'T EXIST TODAY SO WE WOULD NEED TO CREATE THAT REGIMEN OF PEOPLE TO MONITOR WHAT'S GOING ON AND CREATE THE REQUESTED DASHBOARD, FOR INSTANCE. ALL THAT'S NOT IN EXISTENCE
TODAY AND IT WOULD TAKE STAFF TIME. >> MUNGIA: SO IN ATTACHMENT A, THE THINGS IN HERE NONE OF THAT IS LOOKED AT BY CITY STAFF CURRENTLY?
>> SOME IS, BUT THERE'S NOT A DASHBOARD THAT EXISTS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DOING IT, THERE ARE A CERTAIN SET OF PROJECTS. IT'S NOT FOR THE ENTIRE OF
THE UNIVERSE OF PROJECTS SO THAT IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE. >> MUNGIA: YEAH, I'M SURE AN AI TOOL COULD COME UP WITH A DASHBOARD PRETTY QUICKLY.
[LAUGHTER]. JUST TELL PEOPLE IT'S AN AI TOOL.
SO I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS HERE, A LARGE GROUP OF FOLKS WHO CAME AND ADVOCATED FOR THIS. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD A VOICE AT THE CITY LEVEL FOR CERTAIN THINGS. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND I HOPE THAT THE COMMITTEE CAN DO A GOOD JOB IN REVIEWING THIS AND GETTING SOMETHING TO COUNCIL THAT'S WITHIN THE LEGAL BOUNDARIES AND WITHIN OUR BUDGET.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN?
>> VIAGRAN: AGAIN, I HAVE A OWE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO GO OVER GOVERNANCE AGAIN ON WHAT WE DO HERE BECAUSE THE FRUSTRATION IS THERE IS -- WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO COME FROM FOR THE ADDITIONAL STAFF AND TIME? SO WHILE I WILL REVIEW THIS IN EWDC, IF I HAVE TO COME BACK AND IT'S NOT WITHIN THE BUDGET, WHAT DO WE DO? SO THIS IS WHAT'S PROBLEMATIC WITH THIS AND THAT'S WHY I LIKE THE MAYOR'S SUGGESTION OTHER THAN IF WE'RE GOING TO SEND A CCR, I WOULD RATHER SEE IT RED-LINED BEFORE IT GOES TO EWDC AND THAT -- IN ADDITION TO THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PRICE TAG IN TERMS OF MONEYWISE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. SO I -- I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT THAT WE CONTINUE THIS UNTIL WE CAN GET A RED LINE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS -- THIS PUTS MORE WORK -- AND I UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND COMMITTEES NEED TO WORK AND I HAVE PLEDGED TO DO THREE AUDIT AND EWEDC COMMITTEES SO THAT WE CAN BE ON A GOOD PATH, BUT THIS IS A LOT OF WORK FOR COMMITTEE THAT I THINK IF GOVERNANCE HAD A FULLY VESTED CCR IT WOULDN'T BE AS MUCH WORK FOR THEM. SO I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE HAVE THE CCR RED-LINED FOR THOSE LEGAL ISSUES BEFORE IT GETS SENT TO EWEDC SOME.
>> SO YOU'RE MAKING A MOTION TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT GOVERNANCE WITH THE TWO INPUTS YOU ASKED FOR, THE LEGAL RED LINE AND THE FINANCIAL.
>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I MAY SECOND TO THE SECOND, BUT I WANT TO ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION JUST TO CLARIFY THE ROLE OF GOVERNANCE AND TO CLARIFY THE -- WHAT A CCR IS AND IS NOT AND HOW WE MAY GET THINGS TO COMMITTEE. SO THIS CCR WAS FILED TO -- FOR COUNCIL TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IN SOME WAY OR FASHION, STARTING THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE TO ESTABLISH THE TRADES ADVISORY BOARD, FACT ONE. IF WE WERE TO NOT SEND THIS TO COMMITTEE, CAN IT STILL BE AGENDAIZED BY THE CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ANYWAY? >> HISTORICALLY, YES, THEY CAN. THEY CAN, BUT THERE'S ALSO BEEN -- AND YOU ALL HAVE TALKED ABOUT TWO OF THE ITEMS SO FAR. IT'S WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN JUST SAID. IT'S HOW DOES AN ITEM GET SENT TO THE COMMITTEE? AND BASED ON THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CONVERSATION, IT GETS SHAPED.
THE COMMITTEE COULD NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT IF THEY WANT.
IT'S UP TO THEM. BUT I THINK THIS CONVERSATION, THIS POLICY LEVEL CONVERSATION FROM THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE IS INSTRUMENTAL TO SET IT ON A
PATH. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: TO CLARIFY, A CCR ISN'T ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO PROPOSE POLICY. IF I AS CHAIR OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE COMMITTEE WANT TO AGENDAIZE ANY POLICY ITEM, I CAN DO THAT. EVEN BEFORE GETTING ANY
SIGNATURES FROM ANYONE. >> YOU'RE ROOKING AT ME, BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO BE PROBABLY
LOOKING AT THE MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THE ANSWER IS YES.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHERE I STARTED, NOT TO BRING UP ANY TRAUMA, BUT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHERE I STARTED WITH SOME OF THESE CCR ENHANCEMENTS, WHICH IS DOES THIS NEED TO BE A CCR? IN FACT, MANY OF THESE DO NOT.
MANY OF THESE CAN BE WORKED THROUGH COMMITTEE, COULD AND SHOULD BE WORKED THROUGH COMMITTEE, BUT BECAUSE THEY CAME THROUGH THIS WAY WE NOW HAVE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. BUT YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT, THIS COULD HAVE COME THROUGH
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CHAIR VIAGRAN'S COMMITTEE AND MAY HAVE LANDED IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE AND FRANKLYMAY HAVE SAVED SOME TIME AS WELL. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: SO IF I COMPETE CRETEED A FIVE SIGNATURE MEMO THAT WAS NOT CALLED A CONSIDER CONSIDERATION REQUEST AND SAID THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO GO TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT WOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE WAY FOR A CHAIR TO DECIDE IF THEY WERE GOING TO AGENDAIZE
SOMETHING IN? >> MAYOR JONES: I THINK THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE CHAIR IN DETERMINING WHETHER THEY WANT TO AGENDAIZE IT OR NOT.
>> IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY, YOU'RE SAYING THE CCR, COUNCILMAN?
>> I THINK THERE'S AN INHERENT CHALLENGE -- THERE'S NOW BEEN QUESTIONS OF HOW CITY COUNCIL PROPOSES POLICY, AND I HATE TO REHASH TRAUMA, RIGHT, BUT IF THIS WAS TO SAY THE ORIGINAL MOTION REMAINED ON THE FLOOR AND THEN TWO COUNCIL MEMBER, MAYOR, TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS DECIDE THEY WANT TO VOTE NO, IT GETS KILLED AND IT CAN BE
REVIVED BY THE COMMITTEE. >> BY THE COMMITTEE CHAIR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: WHAT
AN INTERESTING REVELATION. I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. >> MAYOR JONES: TO CONTINUE, GREAT. OKAY. SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM UNTIL IT RECEIVES A RED-LINED VERSION OF THE ATTACHMENT AND THE K. TO CLARIFY, JUST THE ATTACHMENT A OR THE ENTIRE CCR, COUNCILWOMAN? THE RED LINE I WAS SPEAKING AND YOU HAD CONCERNS WITH
ANDY, WAS JUST ATTACHMENT A, IS THAT RIGHT? >> IT WAS ATTACHMENT A, MAYOR, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE DOCUMENT AT LEAST INITIALLY SETTING OUT THE
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY.
SO THE ITEM THAT'S RED-LINED IS NOT THE ENTIRE CCR, JUST ATTACHMENT A.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> MAYOR JONES: SO CONTINUE THE ITEM UNTIL WE RECEIVE. THANKFULLY IT'S A WEEK, SO THE RED-LINED VERSION OF ATTACHMENT A AND THE FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THAT'S THE LAST ONE.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE STAFF AND AS MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, I THINK LOTS OF LESSONS LEARNED HERE. THE KEY TAKEAWAY IS THOSE THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE A CCR CAN BE WORKED THROUGH COMMITTEE, AND IT'S A LOT OF TIME SAVING AND, FRANKLY, PROBABLY GETS YOU CLOSER TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. OKAY.
THE TIME IS NOW 12:40 AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.