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>> OKAY. GOOD MOCKER. THE TIME IS CALL ROLL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME REVEREND WAYNE THOMAS. HE'S FROM LOUISIANA. HE GRADUATE THE FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 1978 AND ENTERED THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE THIS AUGUST.
DURING HIS 30 YEAR CAREER, HE SERVED IN MANY LOCATIONS INCLUDING BOTH GULF WARS. HE RETIRED FROM SEPTEMBER OF 2008 AS A CHIEF MASTER CHARGE. HE JOINED WEST RIDGE PARK FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE EDGEWOOD AREA IN DISTRICT 6 IN THE COMMUNITY.
HE WAS BAPTIZED BY EL HEWITT , JUNIOR. ENTERING GOD'S CALL, HE MAN MENTORSHIP UNDER REVEREND WEATHERS. HE WAS LICENSED TO PREACH IN 2007. AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE, HE WAS ORDAINED IN 2012. HE SERVES THE LORD IN A COMMITMENT TO REACHING THE LOST THROUGH HIS SERVICE AND LOVE FOR GOD'S PEOPLE, HE HAS BEEN SERVING FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PLEASE LEAD THE PRAYER. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER, FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL, FOR INVITING ME TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE INVOCATION DOWN HERE TO MAYOR JONES IN HER ABSENCE. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE DOWN HERE WITH YOU TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING IN THE CITY ESPECIALLY MY CITY COUNCILMAN AND THE WORK HE'S DONE UNITED WITH THE PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 6. IT'S A HARD ONE, BUT IN TIMES, THOSE TIMES, WE'LL BE WITH YOU ALL. SHALL WE PRAY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WITH YOU AT THIS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU BROUGHT US LORD IN A BRAND NEW DAY THIS MORNING. WE THANK YOU, LORD, THAT YOU BESTOWED UPON US. THANK YOU FOR GRACE OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST.
WE PRAY RIGHT NOW.THE, FOR MILIY USA AND MILITARY PEOPLE OVERSEAS IN PLACES HERE EVEN IN THE COUNTRY THAT YOU WILL PROTECT THEM, THEIR FAMILIES AS WE COME UPON THE HOLIDAYS RIGHT NOW, LORD. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL LAY YOUR HANDS UPON THEM AND BLESS THEM. BLESS MAYOR JONES IN HER ABSENCE, THEY ARE LEADERSHIP, LORD, THESE LEADERS HERE THIS MORNING. I PRAY OVER THEM, LORD, AND I PRAY THAT YOU TOUCH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. BLESS THEM NOW AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR WORK. LET THEM BE BLESSED AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, LET THEM BE ABLE TO SAY WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS.
IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD, IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE THIRD ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL
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THE MINUTES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM NOVEMBER 5TH, NOVEMBER 6TH, NOVEMBER 12TH, AND NOVEMBER 13TH. CAN I HAVE A MOTION TOAPPROVE? >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION IN PLEASE VOTE.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, WE NEED A VERBAL. >> AYE.
>> THANKS. MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE A FEW POPS TODAY, SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE FIRST ONE AND THEN HAND IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. IF YOU WANT TO COME UP TO THE FRONT. SO THIS IS AN OFFICIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO GERALD SOTO IN HONOR OF YOUR RECOGNITION AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR. ON JUNE 24TH, 2025, GERARD SOTO WAS NAMED THE 2025 REGION 20 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR BY THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS. THIS RECOGNITION REFLECTS HIS LEADERSHIP, HIS COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUCCESS, AND MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE. THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSFORMATION MARKED BY INNOVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP. HIS ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE THE PASSAGE OF THE LARGEST BOND IN THE DISTRICT'S HISTORY, THE CREATION OF A STATE OF THE ART CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER WHICH MY COLLEAGUES GOT TO SEE THIS WEEK, AND THE EXPANSION OF THE NETWORK.
HE HAS STRENGTHENED FAMILY ENGAGE THEMENT, EXPANDED PATHWAYS, AND LAUNCHED INITIATIVES SUPPORTING TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT WELL-BEING. THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS RECOGNIZES MR. SOTO AS A VISIONARY, EDUCATIONAL LEADER WHO HAS STRENGTHENED STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY. THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL EXTENDS SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON THIS OUTSTANDING A EVERYBODY CHOUGHMENT AND OFFER BEST WISHES FOR MANY YEARS OF SUCCESS.
PRESENTED THIS 4TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. IT'S AN HONOR TO HONOR ISD SUPERINTENDENT MR. SOTO AS THE 2025 REGION 20 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR.
THIS RECOGNITION FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS HIGHLIGHTS THE SUPERINTENDENTS WHOSE LEADERSHIP STRENGTHENS PUBLIC EDUCATION. HE WAS SELECTED FROM ACROSS REGION 20 WHICH REFLECTS IMPACT HE HAS ON STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
MR. SOTO BRINGS MORE THAN 31 YEARS OF SERVICE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION FROM PARAPROFESSIONAL AIDE TO TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND NOW SUPERINTENDENT. HE IS A TRUE REFLECTION OF A PUBLIC SERVANT, EDUCATOR, AND LEADER. HE HAS GUIDED HARLANDALE ISD THROUGH TRANSFORMATIONS AS HIGHLIGHTED BY MAYOR PRO TEM.
HE HAS STRENGTHENED THE ISD, LAUNCHING THE EDUCATIONAL PARTNER PROGRAM AND SECURING NEARLY 4 MILLION IN TEACHER INCENTIVE ALLOTMENT FUNDING. WHAT WE KNOW JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, MR. SOTO HAS STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY FIRST, AND SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK AND REGULARLY ENGAGES WITH PARENTS, STUDENTS, THROUGH ADVISORY GROUPS. ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, CONGRATULATIONS SUPERINTENDENT SOTO AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION, YOUR SERVICE, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS AND THE HARLANDALE COMMUNITY. MR. SOT OWE, THE FLOOR
IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL MS. CASTILLO.
THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING ME HERE. AS WE KNOW, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS A BIG CITY, BUT IT'S A VERY SMALL TOWN.
I APPRECIATE ALL OF Y'ALL BRINGING OUT EFFORTS TO PARTNER WITH OUR ISDS, CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. IT'S NOT OVER. IT'S THE BEGINNING. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MARCHING FORWARD TO MAKE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN FOR OUR CHILDREN OF SAN ANTONIO, ESPECIALLY HARLANDALE ISD. THANK YOU.
SUPERINTENDENT, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR 7 YEARS AND YOU HEARD THIS SPEECH BEFORE ALREADY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HONORING HIM IN AND RIGHT-HAND A THE DISTRICT FOR -- I THINK SINCE YOU GOT THE AWARD. I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO TRANSFORM AND LEAD THIS DISTRICT IN TIMES WHERE WE NEEDED TO RIGHT SIZE, IN TIMES WHERE WE WERE COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, IN TIMES WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCY, THE CLIMATE, AND YOU HAVE DONE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE JOB.
YOUR TEAM AROUND YOU FROM THE PRINCIPALS TO THE TEACHERS ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD AND IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY
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TO SEE THE WAY THE COMMUNITY HAS RALLIED BEHIND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND YOU AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THIS IS EXTREMELY WELL DESERVED.I AM VERY EXCITED, AND, YOU KNOW, BEING IN THE COMMUNITY AND SEEING HARLANDALE AND THAT COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO GROW AND CHANGE AND BRING UP SUCH GREAT LEADERS HAS JUST BEEN AN HONOR.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. ENJOY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT, FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR SERVICE, AND, OF COURSE, YOU ACTUALLY WERE BORN AND RAISED IN DISTRICT 4. SO DISTRICT 4 PRODUCES A LOT OF GREAT SUPERINTENDENTS. YOU'RE A BASKETBALL GUY BACK IN THE DAY. SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE OUR COMMUNITY COMES FROM AND WHERE WE'RE GOING. SO I THINK HARLANDALE IS ONE OF THOSE HISTORIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SO MUCH OF MY FAMILY HAVE GONE TO HARLANDALE. I THINK YOU HAVE SHOWN GREAT LEADERSHIP THERE AT A TIME DURING COVID AND THROUGHOUT THE BATTLES WITH THE STATE.
YOU'VE GOTTEN BACK YOUR BOARD AND YOU'VE GOTTEN RID OF STATE INTERVENTION. YOU'VE GOT A GREAT BOND PROGRAM THAT INVESTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK IN THE SOUTH SIDE AND THE COMMUNITY.
I'M PROUD TO HAVE SOME OF MY RESIDENTS GO TO THE SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, MR. SOTO, FOR THE INCREDIBLE HONOR THAT YOU HAVE BEING SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS ON END FOR THE SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY EXAM HARLANDALE. I KNOW WE'VE BRIEFLY MET A COUPLE TIMES. HARLANDALE HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.
MY MOM WORKED AS A SUPERVISOR AT THE METHODIST HEALTHCARE INDUSTRIES NEXT TO THE CAFE COLLEGE. I SPENT TIME SETTING UP CLASSROOMS WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT MEANS A LOT TO KNOW NOT ONLY THAT FOCUS FROM CENTERS LIKE THAT BUT ALSO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S BECAUSE OF LEADERSHIP LIKE YOU. BECAUSE OF LEADERSHIP LIKE FOLKS IN THE DISTRICT COMMITTING TO FIGHTING FOR THE COMMUNITY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, NOT ONLY IN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY BUT IN PERSONAL JOURNEYS.
ALL OF THESE ARE THE SORTS OF COMPONENTS THAT MADE EDUCATION FULL.
THAT'S THE ROLE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND YOU KNOW THIS.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING.
AND ALSO, THE OPENNESS TO COMMUNICATE WITH FOLKS LIKE US UP HERE AND ALL ACROSS THE CITY. MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS CONTINUE PUSHING FOR EDUCATION AND THOSE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE. I CANNOT SAY ANYTHING BETTER AND MORE ABOUT ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. BUT KEEP IT UP AND LET US KNOW HOW I CAN BE HELPFUL EVEN IF I'M FAR AWAY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
I WANTED TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR HIGHLIGHTING YOU TODAY, AND I JUST HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU, BUT BY LISTENING TO ALL THESE GREAT THINGS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PROFOUND IMPACT YOU'RE HAVING ON SO MANY KIDS' LIVES IN SAN ANTONIO AND THEN THE IMPACT THEY'LL GO ON AND HAVE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT Y'AL ARE FACING. MORE SPECIFICALLY -- BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. IT IS YOU.
>> I'LL GO OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ FOR YOUR POINT
OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.ED TO I'M PROUD TO HONOR PROUD DISTRICT 8 RESIDENTS, THE LIFE OF SAMUEL GUIDO.
THEY DO NOT TRAVEL SMALL. THE WHOLE GANG CAN STAND UP, PLEASE.
SO AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY. THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS LEFT SOUTHERN ITALY DUE TO HARSH ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. MANY OF THEM APPROVED IN SAN ANTONIO HOPING TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE AND BRING THEIR FAMILIES TO THIS NEW HOMELAND. AMONG THOSE EARLY IMMIGRANTS WAS THE GUIDO FAMILY WHO CAME TO AMERICA THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND. GENE SENIOR MARRIED AND THEY RAISED THREE CHILDREN. ONE IS THE GENTLEMAN WE ARE HONORING TODAY, SAMUEL JOSEPH GUIDO. THEY UNITED WITH OTHERS TO FORM A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD HELP THEM ADAPT TO A NEW LANGUAGE AND A NEW WAY OF LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION BECAME THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ITALIAN SOCIETY, FOUNDED IN 1890, AND STILL STANDING TODAY AS THE
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LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING ITALIAN ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT COMMITMENT TO HERITAGE CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT GENERATION. SAMUEL'S [INDISCERNIBLE] WHERE HE MET HIS NOW WIFE, PATTY GUIDO. BOTH GRADUATED IN 1975 FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL. THEY MARRIED IN 1984 AND RAISED THEIR SONS, MATTHEW AND ANDREW, WITH A DEEP LOVE FOR FAMILY. THE DINNER I MET HIM A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND WHERE HE VOLUNTEERED FOR 59 YEARS. LITERALLY, 59 YEARS, SINCE HE WAS 10 YEARS OLD, AND HE TOLD ME STORIES HOW HE VOLUNTEERED WHETHER HE WANTED TO BE THERE OR NOT.ALSO HELPED CHAIR MANY TIMES, EVEN THOUGH THIS EVENT WAS ARDUOUS AND TIME-CONSUMING, HE LOOKED FORWARD TO THEM WHEN RESPONSIBILITY GREW, WITH THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE 100 CLUB, HE APPROACHED THAT WORK WITH PASSION AND GRACE. SAM'S PASSING MARKED THE END OF A CHAPTER, BUT NOT THE END OF HIS LEGACY.
THE VALUES HE LIVED BY LIVE ON THROUGH THE CCIS COMMUNITY, THROUGH THE HISTORY HE PROTECTED AND THROUGH THE FAMILY HE RAISED.
TODAY I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY HONOR HIM AND RECOGNIZE THE ROLE THAT ITALIAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES HAVE PLAYED IN SHAPING SAN ANTONIO FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.
HE HAS A -- HE WAS A SON, A HUSKS A FATHER, A LEADER, AND A BRIDGE BETWEEN GENERATIONS. I'M PROUD TO STAND HERE AND ENSURE HIS STORY CONTINUED TO BE PART OF THE CITY'S STORY AND PROUD TO RECOGNIZE A DISTRICT 8 RESIDENT WORKING AND VOLUNTEERING WITHOUT ANY SORT OF FANFARE BUT DOING WHAT I LOVED AND IF YOU EVER FOLLOW THE GUIDOS ON FACEBOOK, THEY TRAVEL IN PACKS. THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THEY'RE DOING. SO JUST WONDERFUL TO HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE DOING GOOD WORK EVERY DAY IN OUR CITY.
COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS FROM THE FAMILY? NO PRESSURE.
JUST WANTEDDED TO OFFER. >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN IN CITY HALL BEFORE. THIS IS AWESOME.
THANK YOU, GUYS. MY DAD WAS A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S HARD NOT TO CRY. THANK YOU SO ALL THE ITALIANS SHOWING UP AS WELL. Y'ALL ARE A BACKBONE OF THIS -- OF THIS STREET
RIGHT HERE. IT'S AWESOME TO SEE. >> I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO. I MEAN, HE WAS SAN ANTONIO THROUGH AND THROUGH, WHETHER, YOU KNOW, HIS ANCESTORS CAME FROM ITALY AND THAT PATH THAT THEY TOOK TO GET HERE, THOSE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IMMIGRANT FAMILIES GO THROUGH TO FOLLOW AND DREAM IS LIKE -- IT'S WHAT WE ALL -- LIKE I THINK CHERISH. HE'S INSTILLED THAT WORK ETHIC IN US AS A FAMILY, BUT ALSO WITHOUT ANY NEED OF RECOGNITION. IT WAS JUST WHAT YOU DID. RIGHT? AND IT WASN'T THAT IT WAS EXPECTED OR TOLD. IT WAS JUST THAT'S -- IT WAS THAT IMMIGRANT MENTALITY WHERE IT WAS WORK AND FAMILY AND PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO.
JUST HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY REALLY JUST -- IT SHOWS WHAT AN IMPACT HE HAD ON PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE AS JUST A SON BEING IN IT, HOW MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES HE TOUCHED.
>> I'M PATTY GUIDO. I'M THE PROUD MOTHER OF THESE TWO BOYS.
I WANT TO THANK CITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNIZING -- AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT MR. WALSH, MY HUSBAND LOVED YOU.
HE WAS VERY VITAL IN HELPING US GET THE STATUE DOWN AND EVERYTHING ELSE. ERIK WAS RIGHT THERE HOLDING OUR HANDS, YOU KNOW, IN ALL OF IT. BUT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF Y'ALL FOR HAVING US HERE. BUT, AGAIN, THE NEXT SPAGHETTI DINNER IS IN FEBRUARY. OKAY? I HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE. IT'S -- IT'S A WEEK LONG PREPARATION FOR US, BUT WE LOVE IT. WE LOVE IT. WE MAKE EVERYTHING FROM
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SCRATCH. SO PLEASE -- EXCEPT THE PASTA.PLEASE CONSIDER FEBRUARY. I'LL HAVE IT OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ FOR BRINGING THIS POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. I WANT TO SAY IF YOU ALL TO THE FAMILY. WE'LL BE AT THE SPAGHETTI DINNER. IT'S IN DISTRICT 1.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HOST THE ITALIAN SOCIETY HERE. I WANT TO SAY THAT YOU CAN TRULY SEE A FAMILY'S IMPACT BY THE CAUSES YOU SUPPORT.
I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH SOME OF THE YOUNGER FAMILY MEMBERS AND REALLY THE SUPPORT FOR THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HAS BEEN EVIDENT THROUGH YOUR WORK AND MISSION HERITAGE PARTNERS, TWO CAUSES THAT I REALLY, REALLY BELIEVE IN. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTINUOUSLY GIVING BACK TO OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO CONSENT AGENDA. SO DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
AND THERE'S NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. SO WE'LL TAKE A MOTION
ON CONSENT. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> GREAT. LET'S DO HIGHLIGHTS.
COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE PRODUCT PRODUCT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START US
OFF. >> ABSOLUTELY. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> WONDERFUL. TODAY I AM EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 24, THE REAPPOINTMENT OF SEVERAL MEMBERS INCL.
WE'RE ALSO APPOINTING TWO NEW MEMBERS, VALERIE, BORN AND RAISED SAN ANTONIAN. SHE SERVES A VICE CHAIR OF THE MLK MISSION.
IT'S BEEN SUCH A PRIVILEGE GETTING TO SEE THEIR LEADERSHIP, CREATIVITY, AND THE CARE THEY HAVE FOR OUR EAST SIDE COMMUNITY UP CLOSE, AND I AM OTHER EXCITED FOR ALL THEY'LL DO AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
THANK THEM FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO
HIGHLIGHT THEM. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM FIVE WHICH APPROVES CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR A NEW POLICE SUBSTATION LOCATED AT 8811 SOUTH FLORES STREET NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ROOSEVELT AVENUE AND EAST ASHLEY ROAD THAT WILL CONSTRUCT A NEW 26,000 SQUARE FOOT, ONE STORY SUBSTATION ON AN 18 ACRE SITE THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE FUTURE GROWTH.
THE FACILITY WILL HOUSE PATROL OPERATIONS, THE SAN ANTONIO FEAR FREE ENVIRONMENT, THE SAFE UNIT, CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM, AND INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 28 SWORN SUPERVISOR PERSONNEL ALONG WITH 7 CIVILIAN SUPPORT STAFF TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THIS HAS BEEN A LONG AWAITED PROJECT THAT STARTED WITH MY PREDECESSOR AND SISTER COUNCILMEMBER REBECCA VIAGRAN.
I WAS ABLE TO CHAMPION AND BRING TO FRUITION AS MY COMMUNITY CAME OUT TO SUPPORT THIS VOTER-APPROVED 2022 BOND PROGRAM AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS BEFORE THAT THE AND COUNCILMEMBERS HERE THAT ARE MOVING IT FORWARD TODAY.
THIS WAS A HUGE NEED IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN DISTRICT 3 IN PARTICULAR TO HAVE A STAND ALONE POLICE SUBSTATION ONE STORY THAT WILL REALLY SEE HOW WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE.
SO HOUSED IN DISTRICT 3, THIS WILL SERVE DISTRICT 2, DISTRICT 4, AND WILL ALSO HELP REDUCE THE BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTS.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPRESS THEIR NEED FOR INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE AND THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AND ASKING THIS. WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT THIS IS THE NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITY WHICH WILL CREATE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WHICH WE KNOW BECAUSE OUR POLICE SUBSTATIONS ARE OVER 20 YEARS OLD, THIS WILL BE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN DO IT RIGHT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE NEXT GENERATION. SO CONSTRUCTION IS ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN FALL 2025, AND TO BE COMPLETED BY SPRING 2027.
I INVITE ALL MY COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE ON THE SOUTHERN SECTOR THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THIS, TO JOIN ME WHEN WE BREAK GROUND ON THIS AND WHEN WE OPEN THIS IN 2027.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER.
COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> ALL RIGHT. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FIRST ITEM 6, THE MULT OWE MODAL PLANNING STUDY.
THIS ROAD IS A VITAL LINK FOR OUR MILITARY FAMILIES AND EVERYONE TRAVEL TO AND FROM FORT SAM. THEY GIVE FULL MULT OWE MODAL STUDY LOOKING AT CONGCOCO COCODATA.
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IT'S GOING TO EVALUATE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT, SAFETY UPGRADES, AND CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN FORT SAM. THIS IS A LONG-RANGE PLANNING THAT'S GOING TO HELP US BUILD A SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT CORRIDOR FOR THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND OUR RESIDENTS. NEXT, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 8, LONGHORN QUARRY. HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS LAND SWAP, IT'S INVESTING HEAVILY IN THE CORRIDOR.THE ADDITIONAL LAND IS GOING TO HELP THEM TO DELIVER A MORE COORDINATED DEVELOPMENT THAT BRINGS HOUSING, REAL ESTATE, AND OFFICE SPACE TOGETHER IN A REALLY THOUGHTFUL WAY. SO HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT AND THEN FINALLY, I THINK HE'S THERE IN THE AUDIENCE, JOEY POLLOCK.
IF YOU'LL STAND UP, HAPPY TO BE APPOINTING JOEY TO THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TODAY, JOEY, AS A LOT OF FOLKS KNOW, IS THE DIRECTOR OF ACTIVATE SA, A NONPROFIT THAT DOES ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT, LAND USE ADVOCACY. THEIR MISSION IS TO ACTIVATE A CONNECTED EQUITABLE RESILIENT AND SAFE COMMUNITY THROUGH TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY, CONSENSUS BUILDING, AND EDUCATION.
PREVIOUSLY, HE WAS THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNER AT THE ALAMO AREA M PO AND CONSTITUENT SERVICES OUTREACH FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAWKINS. WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE JOEY REPRESENT DISTRICT 10 ON THIS COMMISSION. THANKS, CHAIR OR MAY HE PRO TEM.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> THERE ARE A COUPLE ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT BEGINNING WITH 13 WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE BY LENDING WI-FI HOTSPOTS AT FOUR OF OUR DISTRICT LIBRARIES AT NO COST. THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO HELP CLOSE THE HOMEWORK GAP WHICH MEANS STUDENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO MORE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. IT WILL ALSO HELP CLOSE INFORMATION GAP SO ADULTS CAN APPLY FOR JOBS AND ACCESS HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR LIBRARY STAFF AND THE METHODIST HEATH CARE MINISTRIES FOR MAKING THIS ITEM POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 18 AND 22 AND CONGRATULATE THEIR APPOINTMENTS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMISSIONS.
DISTRICT 5 AND SAN ANTONIO IS A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 35 AND I'LL ALWAYS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THIS PROGRAM THAT'S VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, THE MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE PROGRAM FOR INTENSIVE CARE COORDINATION. THE TEAM HAS SAPD'S MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS, THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT, PARAMEDICS, MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AND A PSYCHOLOGIST AND FUSSER WHO HAVE WORKED TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO THOSE IN CRISIS WHICH HAS REDUCED THE NUMBER OF EMERGENCIES DETENTIONS AND, OF COURSE, FREES UP SPACE IN OUR PSYCHIATRIC ERS. I'M GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS FUNDING THAT'S GOING TO COVER STAFF COSTS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. >> THANK YOU,
COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I WANT TO HIGHLY 18 FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. JESSE TO THE MULTIMODAL COMMISSION. HE IS AN ANTHROPOLOGIST AND WORKING TO EDUCATE OVER A DECADE. HE'S THE COFOUNDER AND CHAIR OF SAN ANTONIANS FOR RAIL TRANSIT PUSHING FOR ALL FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING RAIL TRANSPORTATION HERE IN OUR CITY. HE WORKS AS THE DIRECTOR FOR SERVICE LEARNING AND VOLUNTEERISM AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE HIM BECAUSE HE GETS INTO THE WEEDS OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND I'M GRATEFUL WHEN HIM OR THE ORGANIZATION HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS TO LOOK AT TRANSPORTATION HERE IN OUR CITY BECAUSE IT COMES WITH A 30 TO 100 PAGE DOCUMENT THAT I LOVE READING.
BUT IT'S ALSO BECAUSE THEY CARE A LOT AND HE CARES A LOT, TOO, ENSURING WE'RE MOVING FORWARD TO IMPROVE MULT OWE MODAL TRANSPORTATION. EXCITED TO SEE THE WORK YOU'LL DO.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM. I'M EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT THE APPOINTMENT OF WILLIAM LONG TO THE MULT OWE MODAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION. IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING UP WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE. SO I'VE KNOWN WILLIAM -- I KNOW HIM AS GUILLERMO -- SINCE WE WERE YOUNGER. HE'S CONTINUOUSLY BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR SAFER STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS AMOUNT OF WORK AND ALL YOUR EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY IS SAFER FOR THE REST OF US. I KNOW YOU'RE A LONG TIME CYCLISTS AND Y'ALL ARE PROUD D7 RESIDENTS. SHE'S ONE OF THE CUTEST.
YOU HELPED OUT WITH THE CITY'S BIKE NETWORK PLAN.
I KNOW THAT YOU WERE REALLY INSTRUMENTAL IN DOING THAT.
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YOU JUST HAVE BEEN -- YOU'VE ALWAYS HELPED WITH SO MUCH WORK, DIFFERENT PLANS AND INITIATIVE THAT'S WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER. I KNOW THAT YOU RECENTLY ACQUIRED VISION ZERO.COM. THANK YOU FOR THAT, TOO.THE CREATION OF THIS COMMISSION IS A HUGE STEP IN REALIZING THE VISION FOR SAN ANTONIO'S FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO PERHAPS AND I KNOW SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION.
YOU WILL BE A GREAT ASSET AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISH. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND ALL OF THE -- YOUR FELLOW COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR BEING APPOINTED TODAY.
HIGHLIGHTS AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 18A AND 19, JIM BAILEY DID GOING TO BE APPOINTED TO OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE MULT OWE MODAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THINK IF YOU'LL STAND WHO IS GETTING APPOINTED TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND LILY WHO IS GET AGO POINTED TO THE STREETS BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS MEASURE COMMITTEE.
IT WILL BE A REALLY GOOD TIME FOR US TO EVALUATE AND SEE WHAT IT'S DONE FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT GOES ON TO FOLKS THAT ARE STAYING AT HOTELS, AND WHEN I PRESENTED THE IDEA TO MARIO AND WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS TO SEE IF WE COULD USE SOME OF THESE FUNDS TO INCENTIVIZE MORE ARTS, TO INCENTIVIZE OUR CITY OF GASTRONOMY, HE WAS OPEN AND WILLING TO SEEING WHAT WE COULD DO FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING TO WE CAN HIGHLIGHT THOSE. THAT'S THE COLLABORATION WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE APPROVING IT TODAY. ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON CONSENT? ALL RIGHT.
CAN I HAVE -- DO HE HAVE WITH A MOTION? OKAY.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE? HE MIGHT HAVE STEPPED AWAY.
I DON'T HAVE A -- YES. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
VOTE -- THERE HE GOES. >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT.
MOTION CARRIES. ERIK, DO YOU HAVE A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT FOR
OUR EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT VIDEO, ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS, THIS WEEK'S EMPLOYEE IS DANIEL GONZALES WHO WORKS IN OUR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION. DANIEL STARTED WITH THE CITY IN DECEMBER OF 2003 AS A PART-TIME COLLECTION WORKER AND HAS PROGRESSED THROUGH HIS CAREER WITH THE CITY ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STEPS.
SO LET'S ROLL TODAY'S VIDEO. >> IT TAKES A SPECIAL TYPE OF PERSON TO DO THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF JOB.
IT'S VERY CHALLENGING. IT'S DIRTY. I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 23 YEARS. I STARTED AS A GARBAGE COLLECTOR AND I'VE ENJOYED T I ENJOY THE WORKOUT. IT KEEPS ME HEALTHY.
IT PROVIDES INCOME TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.
I ENJOY WHAT I DO. FOR SOLID WASTE, I WORK FOR THE ILLEGAL DUMPING CREW. WE TRAVEL OUT TO EVERY PART OF THE CITY TO PICK UP ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL DUMPING THAT MIGHT BE THROWN ON A ROADWAY, ON A VACANT LOT, AREAS THAT ARE DEEMED TO BE PRIVATE ON A DAY TO DAY, WE CAN BY. WE'LL PICK IT UP AND I'LL LOAD IT INTO MY DRIVER'S TRUCK AND HE'LL DISPOSE IT AT THE LOCAL LANDFILL.
NORMALLY WE HAVE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 TO 40 CALLS DEPENDING ON THE CALLS THAT COME IN. A LOT OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. THINGS THEY WANT TO DISPOSE OF AND MAYBE DON'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF OR AREN'T AWARE THEY HAVE BULKY DROP-OFF SITES. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THEM TO BE MORE INFORMED SO WE DON'T FIND A LOT OF THIS ILLEGAL DUMPING.
PLEASE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE THE TIME TO DISPOSE OF YOUR ITEMS PROPERLY AT OUR BULKY DROP-OFF SITES. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TO WAIT, TAKE THEM TO THE FREE LANDFUL DAY. YOU CAN DISPOSE FREELY AND NOT HAVE TO DISPOSE OF IT ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE IT'S AN
[00:35:04]
EYESORE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.>> DANIEL DID A GREAT JOB OF REMINDING EVERYBODY ABOUT BULKY WASTE COLLECTION AND OUR SITES, OUR FOUR SITES AROUND THE CITY THAT ARE OPEN TUESDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS. RESIDENTS JUST NEED TO BRING A CPS BILL OR PICTURE ID IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO DROP OFF.
WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC.
LASTLY, IF YOU HAVEN'T SAT IN THAT SEAT AND USED THAT CLAW, I DID IT A LONG TIME AGO, AND IT REQUIRES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HAND-EYE COORDINATION. THOSE CREWS AND EMPLOYEES LIKE DAVID DO IT REALLY FAST. SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO.
THE COUNCIL TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ILLEGAL DUMPING THIS PAST SUMMER. IT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE. WE'RE ABLE TO RESOLVE IT FROM A SERVICE PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE OF DAVID AND THE OTHER
CRUDES. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> THANKS, WE HAVE TWO BIRTHDAYS TODAY, AND SO I SEE ONE OF THEM. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER, CASTILLO FOR REMINDS YOU GO. EMILY'S BIRTHDAY.
COMING UP TO -- HER BIRTHDAY WAS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
SHE'S LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON. WE'RE SINGING TO YOU.
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND SING FOR BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER.
WHY DON'T YOU GUYS COME STAND IN THE MIDDLE. >> YOU'RE STARTING A NEW TRADITION. Y'ALL READY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR MY VOICE.
>> THERE IS CAKE IN THE BACK, AND I'M TOLD IT'S NOT FRUIT.
THE TIME IS
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.