Jan 15, 2026 City Council A Session

[ PROCEDURAL  ]

[00:01:15]

TODAY OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OPENED WITH THE SONG WINDOW BY LA MESA, WHICH IS A PROJECT BY MITCHELL MOSER. IT BLENDS MELODIES WITH SOUND SCAPES PUSHING PAST BOUNDARIES TO EXPLORE NEW SOUNDS. AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE'S LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM WE CONTINUE TO FEATURE LOCAL MUSICIANS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND ON TV SA.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ON THE WEBSITE OR BY FOLLOWING GETCREATIVESA ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THE TIME IS NOW 9:08 A.M. ON JANUARY 15TH, 2026.

THE MEETING OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

>> GAVITO:. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

MADAM CLERK. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TODAY, IT'S MY HIGH HONOR TO INTRODUCE MY OWN PRIEST, MARTIN PARAYNO. HE'S ALSO THE DEAN OF THE ARCHDIOCESE AND OVERSEES 14 PARISHES. FATHER, PLEASE.

>> LOVING GOD, YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF EVERY BLESSING AND GOODNESS.

IN FAITH WE COMMEND OUR CITY TO YOUR CARE AND PROTECTION. GUIDED BY YOUR PROVIDENCE THAT WE MAY BE SECURE IN PEACE. IN THIS FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR, AND OPENING EVERY MEETING OF OUR CITY OFFICIALS, WE ASK YOU TO FILL THEM WITH COURAGE, TO SPEAK THE AND HUMILITY, TO RISE ABOVE PERSONAL INTERESTS, AND TRANSCEND DIFFERENCES IN ORDER TO SERVE THE COMMON GOOD.

LET THEM BE SERVANT LEADERS AND INSPIRE THEM TO WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND TO ATTEND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE MOST IN NEED, THE POOR, THE SICK AND THE VULNERABLE. GRANT OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY MANAGER AND STAFF, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS AND TO ALL IN AUTHORITY, STRENGTH, WISDOM AND COMPASSION TO DO YOUR WILL. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF

OUR LOVING GOD. AMEN. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, FATHER. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

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MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MAYOR JONES: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE.

OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE POINTS

[POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE  ]

MALIA IS A JUNIOR ATTENDING TRINITY UNIVERSITY, MAJORING IN MATHEMATICS.

SHE'S A CAPTAIN OF THE TRINITY SOCCER PROGRAM AND OVER THE SUMMER SHE PLAYED FOR THE CORINTHIANS OF THE SAN ANTONIO SE AND SHE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FILL PIN KNOW COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. SHE HAS EARNED HER FIRST INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCE DURING THE WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT FOUR YEARS AGO. SHE HAS 37 GAMES WITH THE FILIPINO NATIONAL TEAM AND WAS PART OF THE FIRST EVER FILIPINO WOMEN'S NATIONAL WORLD CUP TEAM IN 2023.

THIS PAST DECEMBER THEY WON THEIR FIRST GOLD MEDAL IN THE THIRD SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES. THIS MARKS AN HISTORIC WIN FOR THE TEAM AS THEY GAME TO QUALIFY FOR THE 2027FIFA'S WOMEN'S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA.

WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU. YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF THE RICH DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS MANY FOLKS ALSO CONTINUE TO HAVE STRONG TIES WITH ALL OF THEIR FAMILIAL HISTORY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A

FEW REMARKS YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO. >> THANK YOU.

GROWING UP AS PART OF ANY MINORITY ISN'T EASY, BUT I'VE LEARNED TO LOVE MY CULTURE AND MY HERITAGE. I'VE LEARNED TO LOVE MY CULTURE AND MY HERITAGE, NOT IN SPITE OF, BUT BECAUSE IT'S UNIQUE. I'M PROUD TO BE FILIPINO AND I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF THAT COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.

SINCE THE FIRST DAY I LANDED HERE, MAYOR JONES AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY OPENED ME WITH OPEN ARMS AND I'VE MET SO MANY AMAZING INDIVIDUALS SINCE THEN.

BEING GRANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE COUNTRY I LOVE ON THE BIGGEST STAGE HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND LIFE CHANGING. EVERY TIME I STEP ON TO THE STAGE I CARRY THE HEART OF MY FAMILY, MY COMMUNITY HERE AND EVERY GOING GIRL WHO DREAMS. SO THANK YOU, MAYOR JONES FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE A GIRL WHO YOU'VE INSPIRED. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR JONES: THE NEXT PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IS CATAYA PEREZ. SHE IS A 13-YEAR-OLD AT MCCOLLOUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTHWEST ISD WHOSE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, CHARACTER AND DETERMINATION DISTINGUISH HER AS AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG SCHOLAR. DURING THIS PAST ACADEMIC YEAR, SHE WAS THE ONLY STUDENT IN TEXAS SELECTED FOR THE STANFORD UNIVERSITY MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS PROGRAM. IT WAS AN ONLINE -- YEAH.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S AN ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PREPARATORY EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO CHALLENGE AND INSPIRE HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS.

SO SHE BALANCED IN-PERSON SCHOOL WORK AND ONLINE COURSES REQUIRED BY THE PROGRAM. SOME OF THE COURSES INCLUDED DEMOCRACY AND DISSENT, PHILOSOPHY, WRITING DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATIVE DISCUSSIONS.

SHE'S JOINED HERE BY HER FAMILY, ALSO VERY PROUD OF CATALAYA WHO IS AN ALTER SERVER AT MY CHURCH. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS FOR REPRESENTING YOURSELF, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STATE SO WELL.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN GREATER THINGS FROM YOU.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS YOU'RE WELCOME TO. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL Y'ALL'S SUPPORT. AND I REALLY FEEL PROUD FOR REPRESENTING OUR STATE AND OUR CITY AND ALL OF Y'ALL. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING ME THROUGH THIS JOURNEY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

[00:10:09]

>> MAYOR JONES: I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER MUNGIA FOR A PERSONAL POINT

OF PRIVILEGE. >> MUNGIA: TODAY WE HAVE SOME DISTINGUISHED GUESTS TODAY TO WITNESS LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. WE HAVE FIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS FROM THE UC BERKELEY GOLDMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY WORKING TO A MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY AFFAIRS. THOSE ARE THE STUDENTS HERE TODAY. AS PART OF THE TEXAS POLICY COURSE THEY ARE VISITING SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN TO EXAMINE THE INTERSECTION OF PUBLIC POLICY, GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS TEXAS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACADEMIC INITIATIVE IS TO FOSTER GROSS-REGIONAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, ENCOURAGE EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY DIALOGUE ON SHARED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS ON KEY TOPICS SUCH AS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL EQUITY AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. SO THESE ARE CERTAINLY SOME CALIFORNIANS WHO WOULDN'T MIND MOVING TO TEXAS SO YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO.

AND ALSO, THEY ARE JOINED BY MATT WHO IS HERE TODAY WHO IS LEADING THEM.

AND OF COURSE MATT IS A FORMER D4 INTERN AND COUNCIL AIDE AND CERTAINLY HELPED ME BE IN THIS SEAT. SO THANK YOU, MATT, FOR BRINGING YOUR FRIENDS HERE TODAY AT CITY COUNCIL. HOPEFULLY YOU'LL LEARN SOME GOOD THINGS TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LIVELY MEETING. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO

COUNCILWOMAN AN DEBT GAVITO. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I DO ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN MUNGIA PARTNERING WITH ME TO RECOGNIZE THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS. AND OF COURSE THANK YOU TO MATT FOR HOSTING YOUR PEERS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SHOW THEM WHAT A HIDDEN GEM OUR CITY IS AND THE SPECIAL NATURE OF PUBLIC SERVICE HERE IN TEXAS.

I KNOW THAT TEXANS MAY GET A BAD RAP IN CALIFORNIA. THIS IS TRULY A UNIQUE PLACE WHERE WE'RE FILLED WITH DIVERSE AND PASSIONATE AND INNOVATIVE PEOPLE WHO TRULY CARE ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE. SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN ARE BOTH GROWING CITIES THAT PLAY A KEY ROLE IN TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, POLICY AND SUSTAINABILITY. AND HAVING Y'ALL HERE THIS WEEK TO LEARN ABOUT OUR REGION AND BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS IS SUCH AN HONOR.

I HOPE THAT Y'ALL LEARN VALUABLE INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN TAKE WITH YOU ALL AND USE IN YOUR FUTURE CAREERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE. AND ALSO TOO I DID WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO MATT. BEFORE HE WENT TO MATT MATT HE WAS A DISTRICT 7 RESIDENT AND PREVIOUSLY A DISTRICT 7 AFTER STAFFER. HE WAS AN APPOINTOR ON THE STREETS, BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS ADVISORY BOARD. WE MISS HIS ADVOCACY AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM COME BACK HOME WITH EVEN -- WITH EVEN A FEW MORE LETTERS BEHIND HIS NAME. SO THANKS SO MUCH. BEST OF LUCK TO EACH OF YOU AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]. >> MAYOR JONES: BEFORE MATT WORKED IN EITHER OF YOUR OFFICES, HE WENT TO JOHN JAY HIGH SCHOOL. THERE YOU GO.

I'LL NOW RECOGNIZE COUNCILWOMAN MESS IS A MEZA GOÁZ FOR A PERSONAL POINT OF

PRIVILEGE. >> GONZÁLEZ: I'M HAPPY TO WELCOME THE BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER TO CITY HALL IF YOU COULD COME FORWARD. WE HAVE FRANCINE, YVONNE, ROGER, ALBERT AND JAY. ACROSS THE UNITED STATES JANUARY IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH. WE HAVE MADE CITY HALL RED FOR THOSE WHO GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE EVERYDAY. WE PARTNERED WITH THE REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL'S TRACK WHICH INCLUDES THE BLOOD AND TISSUE CENTER, UNIVERSITY HEALTH, UT HEALTH AND BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER TO IMPLEMENT A WHOLE BLOOD PROGRAM THAT HAS QUICKLY BECOME THE GOLD STANDARD ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

A BLOOD TRANSFUSION IS NEEDED EVERY TWO SECONDS AND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ALL DONATED BLOOD SUPPORTS PATIENTS BATTLING CANCER. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DONATE BLOOD, ESPECIALLY O TYPE DONORS AS SUPPLIES REMAIN LOW ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN OUR AREA. BLOOD CANNOT BE MANUFACTURED, IT CAN ONLY COME FROM THE KINDNESS OF VOLUNTEER DONORS, AND WE THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO ROLE OF YOU YOUR SLEEVES AND GIVE THAT GIFT OF LIFE. I'D LIKE TO GIVE JAY A MOMENT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF

THE ORGANIZATION. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. AND WE APPRECIATE THE INVITE TO BE HERE TODAY. AS COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZÁLEZ SAID, THIS IS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR -- THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR'S RECOGNITION OF THAT AND YOUR HELP ESPECIALLY COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZÁLEZ IN LIGHTING UP DOWNTOWN RED TO HONOR THE BLOOD DONORS WHO SELF ISLESSLY GIVE OF THEMSELVES TO SUPPORT THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK SAN ANTONIO BEING LIT UP RED. EVERY TWO SECONDS SOMEONE IN THIS COUNTRY NEEDS BLOOD. WE SUPPLY BLOOD TO OVER 210 HOSPITALS.

SO 20% OF TEXANS RELAY ON THE WORK WE DO AND WE COULDN'T DO THAT WITHOUT

[00:15:04]

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE AND PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES, MAKE A SACRIFICE, GIVE A LITTLE SOMETHING PERSONAL.

AND WHEN YOU GIVE, THEY LIVE. THANK YOU.

>> GONZÁLEZ: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. >> ONE MORE THING, GUYS, BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN. AS YOU KNOW, I WAS A REGULAR DONOR TO THE BLOOD BANK, GOT MY ONE GALLON PIN, WORE IT PROUDLY, BUT BECAUSE OF MY DIAGNOSIS AND THE TREATMENT I'M ON I CAN NO LONGER GIVE BECAUSE CANCER PATIENTS ARE THE ONES IN THE NEED OF BLOOD. AND THE REGULAR TREATMENT, THE ONES WHO USED TO GIVE CANNOT GIVE ANYMORE. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO.

I WANT TO THANK THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING OR CONSIDERING AND THINKING HOW CAN I GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY ASSIST THE ACROSS, AMIDST MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.

PLEASE GO TO THE CENTERS. I'M GOING TO PITCH THE SOUTHEAST CENTER.

PLEASE COME AND DONATE AND REACH OUT TO US SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAIL AND LET YOUR COUNCIL KNOW THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. >> KAUR: I GOT YOUR BACK.

I WILL BE DONATING. YOU CAN DONATE AT THE DONOR PAVILION ON I10 TOO.

>> HOPEFULLY YOU CAN FIND US NEARBY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: TODAY WE ARE ALSO RECOGNIZING THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY. I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ TO SPEAK. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN ANTONIO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION WILL HOST THE 39TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MARCH IN CELEBRATION ON JANUARY 19TH, 2026. AND WHEREAS IN 1983 PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN SIGNED THE HOLIDAY INTO LAW TO HONOR THE LIFE, LEGACY AND ENDURING IMPACT OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF JANUARY, THE DATE NEAREST HIS BIRTHDAY, WHICH IS TODAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2026.

DR. KING WOULD HAVE BEEN 97 YEARS OLD TODAY HAD HE NOT BEEN ASSASSINATED ON APRIL 4TH, 1968 AT THE AGE OF 39. AND WHEREAS IN 1964 DR. KING BECAME THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AT AGE 35 AND IT IS FITTING THAT THESE OBSERVANCES ARE LINKED AS WE HONOR THE TIMELESS VALUES HE EXEMPLIFIED. COURAGE, TRUTH, JUSTICE, DIGNITY AND SERVICE.

ON MONDAY, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SAN ANTONIANS AND VISITORS WILL JOIN THE NATION'S LARGEST DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR MARCH BEGINNING AT THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ACADEMY AND FOLLOWED BY AN ALL DAY CELEBRATION AT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK, DESIGNATED A PARK IN 2024. IT ADVOCATES NON-VIOLENCE AND RACIAL HARMONY IN HONOR OF DR. KING'S LEGACY. NOW DELIVER I GINA ORTIZ JONES, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, DO HERE BY PROCLAIM JANUARY 19TH, 2026, TO BE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR DAY. CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE'RE THANKFUL THAT THE COMMISSION 'LIL AND TEAM COULD JOIN US TODAY. I'LL RECOGNIZE THE COUNCILMAN TO SPEAK BEFORE

OFFERING YOU TIME TO SPEAK. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THANK YOU ALSO FOR BEING HERE. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HONOR THE LIFE, WORK AND MEMORY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND SPECIFICALLY WE GET TO HONOR IT THROUGH THE YEAR-ROUND WORK OF THIS COMMISSION.

I WANT TO THANK EVERY COMMISSIONER WHO -- THIS IS NOT THE FULL BODY, IT'S A PACKED ROOM WHEN WE'RE ALL THERE, BUT I WANT TO THANK EVERY COMMISSIONER WHO MAKES NOT JUST THE MARCH POSSIBLE, BUT ALL THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE MARCH, THE AWARDS LUNCHEON IN MAY AND THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH IS OF COURSE EVERGREEN.

THESE FOLKS ARE PLANNING, COORDINATING AND RUNNING LOGISTICS FOR EACH OF THESE EVENT. THEY'RE FUND-RAISING AND HAVE BEEN WORKING EVERY SINGLE DAY ON THESE EVENTS SO I CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH.

THE MLK COMMISSION HAS HEARD ME TELL THIS, BUT I WAS ASKED WHAT MLK DAY MEANS TO ME AND I'VE GOTTEN TO REFLECT ON MY EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK MAN AND HOW HE AS A BLACK MAN LIVED THROUGH THE 30S, 40S, 50S AND 60S. AND HE WAS NOT A BELOVED FIGURE, HE WAS NOT RECOGNIZED AS HE IS TODAY. AT THAT TIME HE WAS THE MOST

[00:20:04]

AND HE WOKE UP WITH THAT COURAGE AND FOUGHT EVERYDAY AGAINST A LOT OF THE NORMS OF OUR SOCIETY TO BUILD WHAT WE ARE TODAY. AND IN THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE, HOW DO WE HONOR THAT MEMORY? AS FAMILIES ARE SEPARATED INDEFINITELY, PEOPLE ARE OSTRACIZED, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS PEOPLE IN NEED ARE DENIED AID. AS PEOPLE'S ONLY LIFELINE AND RESOURCE TO ACCESS FOOD OR MEDICAL SCARE ARE STRIPPED FROM THEM, HOW DO WE AS A PEOPLE, AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CITY RESPOND TO THAT? DR. KING WOULD HOPEFULLY LOOK AROUND AT OUR COMMUNITY TODAY AND SEE MANY OF THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR.

AND I HOPE HE WOULD FEEL VERY PROUD, BUT I ALSO CAN'T HELP BUT BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD ALSO LOOK AROUND AND SEE THAT SOME OF THAT FRUIT IS SPOILED.

AND THAT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE. EVERY MEETING AN MLK COMMISSIONER SHARES AN MLK QUOTE AND I WANT TO SHARE ONE THIS WEEK.

IT'S ONE OF HIS MOST POPULAR ONE. INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE ANYWHERE. AND IT IS HARD NOT TO FIND INJUSTICE ANY TIME YOU WALK OUT OF A DOOR IN SAN ANTONIO, IN AMERICA, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

AND SO I AGAIN WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO THE COMMISSION BECAUSE YOU KEEP US FOCUSED YEAR-ROUND ON HIS MEMORY, NOT JUST ON THIS SPECIFIC DAY.

AND AGAIN, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. THIS IS AN UNPAID, FULLY VOLUNTEER ROLE AND I'M NOT SURE THAT ALL OF YOU KNEW HOW MUCH WORK YOU WERE GOING TO BE PUTTING IN IN TERMS OF HOURS AND TIME AND RESOURCES.

[LAUGHTER]. SO I GENUINELY APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH AND HOPE YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO ATTEND ALL THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE MARCH, STARTING WITH THE BAPTIST MINISTRY'S UNION SERVICE TOMORROW. BUT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE COMMISSIONER TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN I'LL RECOGNIZE THE ARTIST RIGHT

AFTER YOU ARE DONE SPEAKING. >> GOOD MORNING. ON BEHALF OF THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WHICH PROUDLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND CELEBRATES OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP. THIS PROCLAMATION SIGNIFIES MORE THAN JUST WORDS, IT REFLECTS THE CITY'S UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING THE VALUES OF EQUALITY, JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY DR. KING TIRELESSLY CHAMPIONED.

MLK COMMISSION IS GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY'S CONTINUED STEWARDSHIP IN HELPING US STEWARD THE MLK CALENDAR OF EVENTS, ENSURING THAT HIS LEGACY IS HONORED AND THAT HIS VISION OF A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY PERSISTS.

TOGETHER THROUGH OUR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WE ARE FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE IDEALS OF KING ARE NOT JUST REMEMBERED, BUT ACTIVELY LIVED AND CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIP AND INSPIRING OUR COMMUNITY TODAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR STANDING WITH US IN THIS VITAL WORK. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GIVE TO THE COMMISSION THROUGH SAN ANTONIO.GOV/MLK.

WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING SPONSORSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> I'LL ALSO SHARE THAT WE HAVE AMAZING PERFORMERS LOCALLY. WE HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL TALENT.

I THINK WE HAVE AT LEAST 20 ARTISTS FROM AROUND SAN ANTONIO WHO ARE GOING TO BE PERFORMING AT THE COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM ON MONDAY.

WE ALSO HAVE MELVIN CHRISPEL WHO WON THE COMPETITION SUNDAY BEST.

AND THEN WE HAVE GABBY DOUGLAS, THREE-TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL LIFT, AS WELL AS COCOA JONES, GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER. THIS WILL BE A DAY FROM THE LINEUP TO THE MARCH TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH THE MARCHING TO THE PROGRAM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE. WHAT YOU WILL SEE ON THE SCREEN IS BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED ARTWORK. SO I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WINNER OF THE ART CONTEST AGE LEAN IN A.

SHE IS A STUDENT IN JUDSON, ISD AT KIRBY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HER BEAUTIFUL PIECE IS FEATURED ON THIS YEAR'S COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRTS AND OTHER MATERIALS.

THE COLLAGE FEATURES TWO CLASPING HANDS IN FRONT OF THE TOWER OF THE AMERICAS.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE HER TEACHER, MS. LANIY WHO INCORPORATED THE CURRICULUM AND SUPPORTED AGE LEAN IN A AND HER PEERS TO CREATE ART THAT REFLECTS THE SPIRIT OF DR. KING AND THE COMMUNITY OBSERVANCE OF HIS WORK. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL. CAN WE PLEASE GIVE HER A LAND OF APPLAUSE? [APPLAUSE]. WHEN WE WERE DOING THE JUDGING FOR THE ART CONTEST

[00:25:03]

PLEASE, DO YOU HAVE ANY -- >> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU TO Y'ALL FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW MY ART AT Y'ALL'S MARCH. AND THAT'S IT.

[APPLAUSE]. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE FOLKS ON THE MLK COMMISSION AND THOSE WHO MAKE THIS ENTIRE EVENT POSSIBLE.

OF COURSE AS STATED BEFORE, WE ALL KNOW THIS BEING THE LARGEST MARCH IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, IT IS JUST AN INCREDIBLE REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE TO THIS COMMUNITY TO FIGHT THE STRUGGLE, THE WORK THAT MARTIN LUTHER KING AND MANY OF THE FOLKS IN THE MOVEMENT ALONG WITH HIM THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA PUSHED FOR AND CONTINUE TO SEE IT CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESS. I AM EXCITED TO BE THERE NEXT YEAR. I TRIED TO FOLLOW IN MY GRANDFATHER'S FOOTSTEPS WHO MARCHED IN EVERY MARCH. UPDATE HAPPY TO BE THERE. I WANT TO SHOUT OUT FOR ANYBODY WHO IS LOOKING TO GO EITHER PARK AT THE ALAMODOME OR ST. PHILLIP'S COLLEGE AND TAKE VIA. IT'S SOMETHING I DO BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO DRIVE IN AND IT'S EASIER TO TAKE VIA STRAIGHT TO THE MARCH. I ALSO WANT TO NOTE A QUOTE THAT I ALWAYS FIND INSPIRING TO ME FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING DURING THE YEAR HE WAS ASSASSINATED AT A SANITATION STRIKE IN MEMPHIS. WE KNOW IT ISN'T ENOUGH TO INTEGRATE LUNCH COUNTERS. WHAT IS ACCESS TO THE HOTELS OF ARE OUR CITY AND MOTELS OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE DON'T EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE OUR FAMILY ON VACATION.

WE ARE TIRED OF WORKING OUR HANDS OFF AND TAKE MAKING A WAGE ADEQUATE FOR THE NICETIES OF LIFE. NOW IS TIME FOR A POSITION THAT IS JUST AND HONEST.

NOW IS THE TIME. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.

[CONSENT AGENDA  ]

IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SO WE MAY CLEAR THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY? OKAY.

HEARING NO OBJECTION, ITEM 7 THROUGH 31 ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THIS MEANS THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A GROUP AND THERE WILL NOT BE A STAFF PRESENTATION UNLESS PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY? ITEM NUMBER 24 WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE STAFF YESTERDAY.

MADAM CLERK, WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I WILL CALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP IN THE ORDER THAT THEY'VE DONE SO AND THEY WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES EACH TO SPEAK. THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL IS JACK

FINGER. FOLLOWED BY FATHER AGUILAR. >> WELL, MADAM MAYOR AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.

FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK FINGER. I HOPE Y'ALL HAD A PLEASANT HOLIDAY VACATION. I KNOW I DID. IT NEVER LASTS LONG ENOUGH FOR ME. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, Y'ALL CAN TAKE THE WHOLE YEAR ON VACATION. IT WOULDN'T BOTHER ME A BIT. BUT ANYWAY, ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END AND I WISH TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO ONE OR TWO ITEMS ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA. ITEM NUMBER 31 IS ABOUT -- WELL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ WHAT THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS TELL US THERE. THAT FIRST BIG PARAGRAPH UNDER ITEM NUMBER 31 THERE, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN. WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE.

IT SAYS ORDINANCE APPROVING FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT FOR UP TO $150,000 TO FUND SEMESTER BUS PASSES FOR

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FUNDING OF $150,000 IS INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 GENERAL FUND ADOPTED BUDGET, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. YES.

RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WOULD, TO THE PODIUM. I SEE TWO OR THREE THINGS WRONG WITH THIS. YOU KNOW, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, WHY ARE STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING SCHOOLS? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PARENTS? I MEAN, SUPPOSEDLY THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS GET DRESSED, GET FED AND GET TRANSPORTED OFF TO SCHOOL.

ARE YOU SAYING THEY CAN'T, THEY DECENT DON'T HAVE ANY CARS OR TRUCKS OR ANYTHING TO TAKE THEM TO THE SCHOOLS? I'M SORRY, TO ME THAT REALLY DOESN'T WASH.

AND ALSO, ANOTHER THING IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SCHOOL BUS SYSTEMS? YOU KNOW, THE YELLOW BUSES THAT TRAVEL ALL AROUND TOWN THAT TAKE OUR KIDS HERE AND THERE AND SO FORTH. I THOUGHT THEY HAD THEIR OWN FUNDING FOR THIS STUFF.

WHY ARE WE, THE CITY, THE CITY THAT DEALS WITH CITY ISSUES, WHY ARE WE GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL BUSES? BUT I ALSO NOTICE THAT, WELL, SCROLL DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER, MR. TELEVISION MAN, WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE, THE UNDERLINED LINES THERE? CURRENTLY VIA OFFERS A SEMESTER PASS FOR 28.50 THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS UNLIMITED RIDES DURING THE SEMESTER. THAT'S LESS THAN A DOLLAR A DAY. LESS THAN A DOLLAR A DAY. THEY CAN'T AFFORD THAT? BUT EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN HAS COMMITTED 150,000. MS. GAVITO, WHY? DON'T THE SCHOOLS HAVE THIS MONEY? I MEAN, WE AREN'T TRYING TO PAY OFF SOME SPECIAL FAVORS HERE, ARE WE? THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: DEBRA SHANE FOLLOWED BY DAHLIA CONTRERAS DAHLIA.

>> GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL. GOOD MORNING MAYOR.

MY NAME IS DAHLIA FLOORING CONTRERAS. I AM WEARING THREE HATS TODAY, A SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT, LONG TIME CEO OF CITY EDUCATION PARTNERS, AND A LONG-TIME MENTOR OF STUDENTS THAT ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

MISSING ONE DAY OF CLASS SOMETIMES STARTS A CHAIN REACTION.

YOU FALL BEHIND, YOU FAIL A TEST, YOU LOSE CONFIDENCE. AND THEN YOU'RE REQUIRED TO MAKE UP SEAT TIME BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL WHEN GETTING TO SCHOOL DURING THE REGULAR BUSINESS DAY HOURS IS HARD ENOUGH. THAT STRESS DOESN'T ALWAYS STAY WITH THE STUDENT. IT RIPPLES THROUGH THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD.

AS A RESIDENT I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE WITHOUT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION PERSONALLY. I KNOW THE FEELING OF BEING A CHILD WANTING TO BE IN THE ROOM WHERE OPPORTUNITY IS OFFERED AND NOT HAVING A WAY TO PHYSICALLY GET THERE.

AS A MENTOR, ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS I ASK A STUDENT WHEN WE START OUR RELATIONSHIP IS: ARE YOU ON TRACK TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL ON TIME AND HOW DO YOU KNOW? ATTENDANCE IS ALWAYS NINE TIMES OUT OF 10 A CHALLENGE.

AND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SEAT TIME ISN'T JUST A NUMBER, IT'S A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAYING ON TRACK OR SLOWLY SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS. ONE OF THE NUMBERS THAT CONCERNS ME AND MOTIVATES ME IS 26%. IN SAN ANTONIO, 26% OF STUDENTS ACROSS OUR CITY ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT. IF YOU'RE CHRONICALLY COULD BE SENT THAT MEANS YOU'RE MISSING MORE THAN 10% OF SCHOOL AND THERE'S A SIMPLE TRUTH WE ALL KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL, A STUDENT CANNOT LEARN IF THEY'RE NOT IN A CLASSROOM WHERE LEARNING IS HAPPENING. THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 31, THE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE VIA -- WITH VIA TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH SEMESTER PASSES TO SCHOOL. ATTENDANCE HAS MANY CAUSES, BUT TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THE BARRIERS THAT OUR CITY AND SAN ANTONIO CAN HELP TO REMOVE. WHAT I APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL IS ITS POSTURE. I LOVE THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ACT, THAT YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN FAST AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

A BUS PASS MAY SOUND SMALL, BUT IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STUDENT SHOWING UP CONSISTENTLY OR MISSING JUST ENOUGH DAYS FOR THAT SNOWBALL TO START.

I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES ON ITEM NUMBER 31, NOT BECAUSE IT'S A SILVER

[00:35:02]

LISTENING. >> MAYOR JONES: DEBRA SHANE.

DIANE FERNANDEZ, FOLLOWED BY DR. SHIMSHACK. >> I AM DIANE FERNS.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT FOR THE SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO SHARE OUR PERSPECTIVE ON ITEM NUMBER 31 REGARDING AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT TO FUND SEMESTER BUS PASSES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS A PILOT PROGRAM TO TARGET CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION IS NOT A CONVENIENCE, IT'S A LIFELINE FOR SOME OF OUR FAMILIES.

IN OUR ENROLLMENT OFFICE WE OFTEN HEAR FROM FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE TO AFFORD TRANSPORTATION. FOR THESE FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, THE COST OF GETTING TO SCHOOL CAN BECOME A REAL OBSTACLE AND HAVE THE CHOICE OF PAYING FOR A BUS PASS OR PAYING FOR ESSENTIALS LIKE GROCERIES AND UTILITIES.

WITHOUT RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL OPTIONS STUDENTS RISK MISSING SCHOOL, FALLING BEHIND ACADEMICALLY AND EVEN BECOMING CHRONICALLY ABSENT. REMOVING BARRIERS ASSURES STUDENTS HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH IT. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, DEFINED AS MISSING AT LEAST 10% OF THE SCHOOL DAYS, OR 18 DAYS PER YEAR, IS A CHALLENGE FOR MANY DISTRICTS.

CURRENTLY 28% OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT.

BY REMOVING TRANSPORTATION COSTS, THIS INITIATIVE CAN HELP THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL DAILY, PARTICIPATE IN AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMS AND ACCESS RESOURCES THAT WOULD SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS. FREE SEMESTER PASSES WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES, ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME WITH IT.

WHILE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO OFFER THEIR OWN BUS TRANSPORTATION, WE LIKE MANY OTHER DISTRICTS -- SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, OFFER OPEN ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE A CAMPUS THAT IS THE BEST FIT FOR THEM, WHETHER IT'S DOWN THE STREET OR ACROSS THE DISTRICT. AND PROVIDING UNLIMITED RIDES WHEREVER VIA GOES, INCLUDING VIA LINK SERVICE, AND FREE WI-FI OVER BUS HELPS THEM STAY CONNECTED WHILE TRAVELING TO SCHOOL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

THESE BENEFITS GO FAR BEYOND CONVENIENCE. THEY REPRESENT EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. WE LIABLE TRANSPORTATION MEANS STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL MORE CONSISTENTLY, THEY ENGAGE IN LEARNING AND SCHOOLS SEE FEWER CASES OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. THERE WOULD BE A DIRECT INVESTMENT IN STUDENT SUCCESS. ULTIMATELY THIS INITIATIVE SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE TO OUR STUDENTS. WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHAT YOUR FAMILY CAN AFFORD SHOULD NEVER DETERMINE YOUR ACCESS TO EDUCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED

PARTNERSHIP IN SERVING SAN ANTONIO'S CHILDREN. >> MAYOR JONES: DR. ORTEGA

SHIMSHACK FOLLOWED BY RAY TEJINA. >> GOOD MORNING MAYOR JONES AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM PROUD SUPERINTENDENT OF [INDISCERNIBLE], A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN SERVING SAN ANTONIO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SINCE 2000.

I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE FUND THE FREE VIA PUS VIA BUS PASSES. EVERYDAY IN OUR SCHOOLS, LIKE MOST OF THE SCHOOLS ACROSS THE CITY, WE SEE THE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS NOT ABOUT MOTIVATION, IT IS ABOUT ACCESS. AND FAMILIES ARE DOING THEIR BEST, BUT THEY ARE JUGGLING WORK SCHEDULES, CARING FOR SIBLINGS, SHARING ONE VEHICLE OR TRYING TO GET TO SCHOOL FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING.

WHEN TRANSPORTATION FALLS THROUGH, SCHOOL BECOMES OPTIONAL.

NOT BY CHOICE, BUT BY CIRCUMSTANCE. WHEN A STUDENT CAN'T GET TO SCHOOL, THEY DON'T JUST MISS A CLASS, THEY MISS THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, THEY MISS MEALS, THEY MISS ATHLETICS OR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY RECEIVE FROM THE SCHOOL. WHEN A STUDENT CAN'T GET TO SCHOOL, ONE DAY, THEN IT BECOMES TWO, THEN IT BECOMES A PATTERN. AND ONCE ATTENDANCE SLIPS, ACHIEVEMENT FOLLOWS. SO WE ARE TAKING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES, PROVIDING RESOURCES, AND I'M PROUD THAT [INDISCERNIBLE] EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SERVING 86% OF STUDENTS COMING FROM ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. THAT IS PROOF THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE STILL THRIVING WITH LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM, BUT TRANSPORTATION FAILURES ARE

[00:40:03]

SAN ANTONIO HAS A HISTORY OF STEPPING UP FOR EDUCATION THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE PRE-K 4 SA AND READY TO WORK. SO THIS IS ANOTHER SMART STEP THAT OUR CITY CAN TAKE TO REMOVE A REAL BARRIER FOR OUR STUDENTS, SO MORE STUDENTS CAN SHOW UP READY TO LEARN. COUNCIL MEMBERS, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE DISTRICT 7 TO TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M ASKING YOU PLEASE TO APPROVE THIS AGENDA ITEM AND THE RETURN A ENORMOUS.

MORE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION, STRONGER [INDISCERNIBLE] ARE GOING TO MEAN MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: RAY, FOLLOWED BY SHARON. >> GOOD MORNING MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS LAY, A LIFELONG CITY COUNCIL RESIDENT, CURRENTLY THE BOARD PRESIDENT OF SOUTH SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. AT SOUTH SAN ISD, 36.8% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT. IN TEXAS THAT MEANS A STUDENT HAS MISSED 18 OR MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL IN A SINGLE YEAR. FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, THAT NUMBER RISES TO 46.7%. THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS, THEY'RE CHILDREN WHOSE FUTURES DEPEND ON WHETHER THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL CONSISTENTLY OR NOT. THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT FAMILIES, IT'S ABOUT VALUING --T THEY DON'T VALUE EDUCATION. AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP ON THE SOUTHSIDE, I KNOW THIS PERSONALLY. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RELIABLE WAY TO GET TO SCHOOL OR WHERE YOU NEED TO GO, THE OPPORTUNITIES JUST END UP SLIPPING AWAY.

AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP ON THE SOUTHSIDE I KNOW THIS PERSONALLY.

FOR TOO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES, TRANSPORTATION IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHOWING UP OR STAYING HOME. WHEN WORK, EDUCATION DON'T ALIGN, WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER IS SICK, OR WHEN THERE IS NO SAFE OR AFFORDABLE OPTION, STUDENTS FALL BEHIND, NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF THEIR OWN. LOW ATTENDANCE DOESN'T JUST HURT OUR STUDENTS, IT DIRECTLY REDUCES STATE FUNDING.

IN OUR DISTRICT, THE SIZE OF SOUTH SAN ISD STUDENTS' ABSENCE CAN COST OVER $500,000 IN A SINGLE YEAR WHICH IS A HIGH AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IMPACTS OUR DISTRICT. LOW ATTENDANCE DOESN'T JUST HURT OUR STUDENTS, IT DIRECTLY REDUCES STATE FUNDING, LIKE I SAID. THAT MONEY IS LOST.

FUNDS CANNOT BE PAID FOR TEACHERS -- FUNDS THAT WE COULD BE USING FOR TEACHERS, COUNSELORS AND TUTORING AND TEACHER SUPPORTS. WE PARTNER CURRENTLY WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS WITH SAN ANTONIO YOUTH WHERE STUDENTS CANNOT REMOVE TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS ALONE.

THIS IS WHERE THE CITY LEADERSHIP MATTERS. THAT IS WHY TODAY I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON AGENDA ITEM 31. THIS IS A PRACTICAL, IMMEDIATE STEP THAT REMOVES BARRIERS, STRENGTHENS ATTENDANCE AND HELPS STUDENTS SHOW UP, LEARN AND SUCCEED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN LEADING SAN ANTONIO.

>> MAYOR JONES: SHARON FOLLOWED BY PASTOR VINCENT ROBINSON.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS SHARON AND I HAVE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR 10 YEARS AND I AM THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF MOBILE EDUCATION CENTER FOR ALL. WE ARE A NON-PROFIT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO THAT BRINGS TUTORING AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO STUDENTS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT DUE TO MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.

WE MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE, LITERALLY, BECAUSE TOO MANY FAMILIES GETTING TO SCHOOL IS NOT GUARANTEED. WHILE THE STUDENTS WE SERVE OFTEN FACE COMPLEX BARRIERS, TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS FAMILIES ACROSS OUR CITY STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE. WE CREATED A MOBILE MODEL BECAUSE WE KNOW ACCESS AND NOT MOTIVATION IS OFTEN THE REAL ISSUE.

THIS IS NOT AN ABSTRACT PROBLEM. THIS PAST FALL WE FOUND THAT TA 43% OF FAMILIES REPORT TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS AS A LEADING CAUSE OF SCHOOL

[00:45:05]

FAMILIES ON THE EAST AND WESTSIDES ARE DISPOSITIVE PORTION NATALIE AFFECTED.

IT MAKES REGULAR ATTENDANCE DIFFICULT. WHEN STUDENTS CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL THE CONSEQUENCES ARE REAL AND LASTING. NEARLY HALF OF SAN ANTONIO'S THIRD THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE NOT READING ON GRADE LEVEL AND ONE IN THREE STUDENTS IS CONNELLY ABSENT. STUDENTS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE PROFICIENT IN READING AND MATH. AND IF WE IMPROVE ATTENDANCE CITYWIDE BY JUST ONE PERCENT, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT 2,250 MORE CHILDREN COULD READ ON GRADE LEVEL.

THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT CHILDREN WHAT WANT TO LEARN, WHO DESERVE CONSISTENCY AND WHO DESERVE A SYSTEM THAT WILL WORK FOR THEM. AT MECA WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REMOVE BARRIERS BY BRINGING EDUCATION DIRECTLY TO STUDENTS, BUT BE ALSO KNOW THAT TUTORING ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH. STUDENTS STILL NEED SAFE, RELIABLE WAYS TO GET TO SCHOOL, TO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, TO TUTORING AND BACK HOME. THAT'S WHY INITIATIVES LIKE FREE VIA BUS PASSES FOR STUDENTS ARE SO CRITICAL. IT COULD BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR FOR A CHILD TO GRADUATE AND TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR A BETTER FUTURE. THIS PROPOSAL IS A PRACTICAL SOLUTION, ONE THAT FAMILIES THEMSELVES ARE ASKING FOR. IN FACT, 27% OF PARENTS SURVEYED SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTED FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PASSES FOR STUDENTS. SAN ANTONIO HAS SHOWN WHAT'S POSSIBLE WHEN WE PRIORITIZE EDUCATION. FROM PRE-K 4 SA TO READY TO WORK, TODAY YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ANOTHER MEANINGFUL STEP. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM ISN'T ABOUT LACK OF CARE, IT'S ABOUT LACK OF ACCESS. AND ACCESS IS SOMETHING WE CAN ABSOLUTELY CHANGE. AS AN EDUCATOR AND A NON-PROFIT LEADER AND A PARENT SERVING AND HAVING VULNERABLE STUDENTS, I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES TO FUND FREE VIA BUS PASSES. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR

COMMITMENT TO SAN ANTONIO'S CHILDREN. >> MAYOR JONES: PASTOR

VINCENT ROBINSON FOLLOWED BY [INDISCERNIBLE]. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM HIRE TODAY NOT ONLY AS A FAITH LEADER, BUT AS A VOICE FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE FALLING BEHIND BECAUSE OF A BARRIER OF TRANSPORTATION. 43% AS WE HEARD OF SAN ANTONIO FAMILIES IDENTIFY TRANSPORTATION AS THE SECOND-LEADING REASON THEIR CHILDREN ARE MISSING SCHOOL. THE STATISTIC IS NOT ABSTRACT TO US. OUR MINISTRY, WE SERVE THE MOST IMPOVERISHED ZIP CODE IN SAN ANTONIO, 7207 ON THE WESTSIDE. IN 2025 ALONE I WORKED WITH SEVERAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCED CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM DUE TO TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, TRAUMA, LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, HOMELESSNESS AND ABSENCE OF A SAFE PATH TO WALK TO SCHOOL. WHEN A CHILD MISSES SCHOOL, IT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT ATTENDANCE, IT IMPACTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS, GRADUATION RATES, MENTAL HEALTH AND ULTIMATELY THE FUTURE WORKFORCE AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY. TRANSPORTATION SHOULD NEVER BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN WHETHER A CHILD RECEIVES AN EDUCATION. WHY DOES ATTENDANCE MATTER? NATIONALLY MORE THAN 2-THIRDS OF THE U.S. FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE NOT READING AT A GRADE LEVEL. BY THE SIXTH GRADE, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST INDICATORS THAT A STUDENT WILL EVENTUALLY DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS PROPOSAL IS TO PROVIDE FREE VIA BUS PASSES FOR STUDENTS AGES 12-18, AND IT'S NOT A HANDOUT. IT IS A SMART PREVENTIVE INVESTMENT.

IT REMOVES A BARRIER WE ALREADY KNOW THAT EXISTS IN THIS CITY.

IT SUPPORTS FAMILIES WHO ARE OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO LEAD WITH VISION AND COMPASSION. IF THIS DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, THE BURDEN WILL CONTINUE TO FALL ON OUR CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER CIRCUMSTANCES THEY WERE BORN INTO. AND AS A PASTOR, I AM CALLED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THIS NEXT GENERATION.

AND AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES, NOT JUST WITH NUMBERS IN MIND, BUT WITH CHILDREN IN MIND. AND SCRIPTURE TEACHES US THAT GOD PLACED CHILDREN AT THE CENTER OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

HE WARNED US NOT TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCK. WE HAVE A CHANCE TODAY TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS. AND I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE AND ENSURE

[00:50:03]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> MAYOR JONES: FRANCES JOHNSON FOLLOWED BY JAMES WARD.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES AND MEMBERS OF THE SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS FRANCES AND I SERVE AS SUPERINTENDENT CEO OF GIANT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. WE ARE A DROPOUT RECOVERY PROGRAM.

I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING OUR TRIUMPH COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS AND I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WE SERVE AT OUR SAN ANTONIO CAMPUS, TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR FREE VIA BUS PASSES FOR STUDENTS AGE 12 TO 18. AT TRIUMPH, WE SERVE STUDENTS WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO STAY IN SCHOOL, CATCH UP AND GRADUATE.

MANY OF THEM ARE BALANCING RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WOULD CHALLENGE ANY ADULT.

AND ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT BARRIERS WE SEE, ONE THAT IMPACTS ATTENDANCE IMMEDIATELY, IS TRANSPORTATION. FOR MAIN OF OUR FAMILIES GETTING TO SCHOOL IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS HAVING A CAR AVAILABLE IN THE MORNING.

SOME HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ONE VEHICLE SHARED ACROSS MULTIPLE JOBS AND CHANGING SCHEDULES. SOME STUDENTS ARE LIVING WITH RELATIVES TEMPORARILY.

OTHERS ARE TRYING TO MANAGE SCHOOL WHILE SUPPORTING THEIR HOME IN VERY REAL WAYS. AND WHEN TRANSPORTATION FALLS THROUGH, EVEN JUST ONCE, IT QUICKLY BECOMES MORE THAN JUST A MISSED DAY. A STUDENT MISSES A DAY, THEN STRUGGLES TO CATCH UP, THEN FEELS DISCOURAGED. AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THAT STUDENT IS MISSING FAR MORE THAN ANYONE EVER INTENDED. THIS IS WHY THIS INITIATIVE MATTERS. YOU HAVE HEARD THE STATISTICS WHICH REFLECT WHAT WE SEE AT OUR SCHOOLS IN THE WORK WE DO WITH OUR STUDENTS EVERYDAY.

WHEN STUDENTS HAVE A RELIABLE WAY TO GET TO SCHOOL, THEY SHOW UP.

AND WHEN THEY SHOW UP, EVERYTHING CHANGES. ATTENDANCE IMPROVE, STUDENTS MAKE ACADEMIC PROGRESS, TEACHERS CAN DO WHAT THEY DO BEST, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, STUDENTS STAY CONNECTED TO HOPE, STABILITY AND A REAL PATH TO EDUCATION.

THIS IS NOT JUST AN EDUCATION ISSUE, IT IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE.

STUDENTS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT ARE AT A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF FALLING BEHIND AND DROPPING OUT. WE CANNOT ALLOW TRANSPORTATION TO BE THE REASON A STUDENT LOSES THEIR FUTURE. SO TODAY WITH RESPECT AND URGENCY, I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES IN SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE AND ALLOW THESE FUNDS TO BE USED FOR FREE VIA PASSES FOR STUDENTS. I ALSO WANT TO SINCERELY THANK COUNCILWOMAN MARIA ALDERETE GAVITO AND VIA FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND PIP PARTNERSHIP IN BRINGING FORWARD A SOLUTION THAT IS PRACTICAL AND STRAD ON WHAT FAMILIES TRULY NEED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE AND FOR SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: JAMES WARD, FOLLOWED BY JESSICA PALACIOS.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES AND THE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JAMES WARD, I AM A SENIOR AT TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN AND I'LL BE GRADUATING THIS MAY.

FOR MOST OF MY TIME AT TRIUMPH, VIA WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO MY SCHOOL OF CHOICE. A 16-MILE ROUND TRIP EVERY SINGLE DAY.

MY FAMILY DID NOT HAVE A CAR DO ME TO USE AND THERE WAS NO WAY FOR ME -- FOR THEM TO AFFORD TRANSPORTATION PASSES, NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR ALL MY SIBLINGS.

HAVING ACCESS TO FREE VIA PASSES THROUGH MY SCHOOL MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

WITHOUT THAT SUPPORT I DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND TRIUMPH.

CHOOSING THIS SCHOOL MATTERED TO ME BECAUSE IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT FIT BEST FOR ME. THIS SEMESTER MY SITUATION HAS CHANGED. I MOVED CLOSER TO CAMPUS AND WAS ABLE TO BUY MY FIRST CAR AND I'M CLOSER TO GRADUATING. MANY OF MY PEERS AND THE YOUNGER SIBLINGS ARE STILL IN THE SAME POSITION I WAS IN, NOT HAVING RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND DEPENDING ON PUBLIC TRANSIT TO GET TO SCHOOL.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEM. TRANSPORTATION SHOULD NEVER BE THE REASON A STUDENT CAN'T AFFORD -- CAN'T ATTEND THE SCHOOL THAT'S RIGHT FOR THEM. CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FREE VIA PASSES WOULD MEAN OPPORTUNITY, HAVEN'TCY AND HOPE FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND

SUPPORTING STUDENTS. >> MAYOR JONES: JESSICA, FOLLOWED BY AMANDA PEER.

[00:55:05]

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS JESSICA.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE SAN ANTONIO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AMERICA'S FIRST HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AND WE HAVE NEARLY 900 MEMBER BUSINESSES AND WE'RE HERE IN SUPPORT OF APPROVING NO COST VIA PASSES FOR STUDENTS AGES 12 TO 18. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION ARE CORE PILLARS OF OUR MISSION. IN FACT, THE HISPANIC CHAMBER IS UNIQUE IN THAT WE RECENTLY HOSTED OUR CONVINCE NEAR I CAN'T OF OUR EVENT WHERE WE WELCOMED MORE THAN 4,000 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN HANDS ON ACTIVITIES AND CURRICULUM.

THIS INITIATIVE WAS INTENTIONALLY DEFINED TO STRENGTHEN OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE AND WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COLLABORATION OF OUR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY AND OUR MEMBERS WHO JOINED AND GAVE THEIR TIME, THEIR WISDOM AND THEIR GENEROSITY THROUGH EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS CANNOT BECOME OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE IF THEY CANNOT GET TO SCHOOL. TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS ARE OFTEN VIEWED AS IMPACTING ONLY CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR CITY, BUT THIS IS A CITYWIDE ISSUE. MY HUSBAND IS AN EDUCATOR ON THE CITY'S NORTHSIDE AND PART OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PARTICIPATE IN MANDATORY MEETINGS WHERE STUDENTS AND PARENTS MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS AT-RISK STUDENTS. ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT FACTORS THAT COMES UP IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS IS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. MANY OF THESE FAMILIES INCLUDE PARENTS WHO WORK OVERNIGHT OR EARLY MORNING SHIFTS IN MANUFACTURING, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, HOSPITALS AND THESE ARE THE VERY INDUSTRIES THAT KEEP OUR LOCAL ECONOMY RUNNING AND AS THE CHAMBER REPRESENTING MANY OF THESE EMPLOYERS, WE HEAR DIRECTLY FROM BUSINESSES WHOSE EMPLOYEES ARE BALANCING DEMANDING SCHEDULES WITH FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THERE'S DATA THAT CONFIRMS WHAT FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING, A RECENT STUDY BY A LOCAL NON-PROFIT FOUND THAT 43% OF FAMILIES CITE TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS AS A CAUSE OF ABSENTEEISM. FAMILIES ON THE EAST AND WESTSIDES ARE MOST IMPACTED AND 27% OF RESPONDENTS SUPPORT FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PASSES AS A SOLUTION. IMPROVING ATTENDANCE BY JUST ONE PERCENT WOULD MOON OVER 2,000 MORE STUDENTS ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL, A GAIN THAT STRENGTHENS NOT ONLY EDUCATION OUTCOMES, BUT ALSO PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A LONG-TERM QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SAN ANTONIO.

WE THANK COUNCILWOMAN MARINA GAVITO FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL FOR ITS CONSIDERATION. ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR

SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: AMANDA

PEER, FOLLOWED BY SANDRA TORRES. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS AMANDA AND I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN. WE LIVE IN DISTRICT 2 ON MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD. I GREW UP IN THE SEA WORLD AREA AND ATTENDED JOHN JAY HIGH SCHOOL. I THEN WENT TO COLLEGE AND GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR'S IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. I AM CURRENTLY COLLECTING DISABILITY DUE TO AN UNFORESEEN ILLNESS. I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 31, CREATING SEMESTER PASSES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND VIA. I WAS ECSTATIC TO READ ABOUT A NEW INITIATIVE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WOULD CREATE VIA PASSES FOR STUDENTS. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW THE CITY CAN SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. HAVING A CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOAL, BUT VERY HARD TO ACHIEVE ON MY DISABILITY CHECK. VIA HAS HELPED ME AND MY CHILDREN GET TO DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS, SCHOOL, CITY ACTIVITIES AND MANY OTHER PLACES. THE VIA SCHEDULE IS THE FIRST PLACE WE CHECK TO PLAN OUR DAY OR WEEK ACCORDINGLY. WITHIN IT WE -- WITHOUT IT WE WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON OTHERS FOR RIDES AND/OR HOMESCHOOL MY CHILDREN. LIFE WOULD BE VERY LIMITED FOR US ALL. BEING A SINGLE PARENT, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

THERE ARE DAYS WE HAVE TO GET ON THE BUS WITH ONLY PENNIES IN OUR POCKET TO GET TO AN IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT. THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE PENNIES JUST AREN'T ENOUGH AND WE HAVE TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO GET TO OUR DESTINATION.

MANY PEOPLE ARE JUGGLING HOME, WORK AND SCHOOL. HAVING A SAFE AND EASY, CHEAP WAY TO GET THE KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL WILL TAKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS OUT OF THE JUGGLE. VIA IS THE ANSWER. I HAVE RELIED ON VIA TO GET

[01:00:05]

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE VOTE YES TO ITEM 31, HELP MORE STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE OF THE CITY.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: SANDRA TORRES, SHE WILL UTILIZE AN

INTERPRETER, FOLLOWED BY INGA COTTON. >> SPEAKING SPANISH].

>> GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SANDRA TORRES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5 OF OUR CITY. I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR CHILDREN AND I CURRENTLY HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO ATTENDS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN EDGEWOOD ISD. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 31, WHICH WOULD CREATE FREE VIA BUS PASSES FOR STUDENTS IN OUR CITY.

LAST YEAR IN 2025, TRANSPORTATION WAS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR FOR MY DAUGHTER TO ATTEND SCHOOL. WE WOULD TAKE TWO BUSES TO GET TO SCHOOL, THE 103 ON ZARZAMORA STREET AND THE 82, WHICH COST 1.30 CENTS A DAY. ALTHOUGH AN ANNUAL PASS COSTS $365 AND A SEMESTER PASS COSTS $28, REALISTICALLY MY FAMILY AND MANY OTHERS CAN ONLY AFFORD TO PAY THE DAILY FARE, WHICH ENDS UP BEING MORE THAN $400 A YEAR. THIS IS ONLY THE COST FOR ONE PERSON.

PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT TRANSPORTATION COSTS INCREASE WHEN FAMILIES HAVE MORE STUDENTS. EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. ATTENDANCE AND LEARNING ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED. WHEN STUDENTS MISS SCHOOL, THEY FALL BEHIND ACADEMICALLY AND WHEN THEY FALL BEHIND, IT BECOMES HARDER FOR THEM TO RETURN.

ALTHOUGH SOME OF YOU MAY NOT USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VERY OFTEN, THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO DEPEND ON IT DAILY, INCLUDING STUDENTS.

FAMILIES FACE REAL BARRIERS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ECONOMIC PRESSURES. BY REDUCING TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS WE CAN HELP MORE STUDENTS SHOW UP READY TO LEARN. THESE FREE VIA BUS PASSES

[01:05:06]

FOR ALL THESE REASONS I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO VOTE YES ON AGENDA ITEM 31 FOR FREE VIA BUS PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR LISTENING TO

ME. >> MAYOR JONES: INGA COTTON FOLLOWED BY JENNY

GONZÁLEZ. >> GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS INGA COTTON AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL DISCOVERY NETWORK, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SAN ANTONIO CHARTER MOMS. I'M ALSO A MOM. I HAVE TWO TEENAGERS. MY DAUGHTER IS A TENTH GRADER AT SCHOOL SCIENCE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MY SON IS NOW A FRESHMAN AT UTSA.

MY SON IS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND AS A TEENAGER, HE FREQUENTLY USED VIA AS A WAY TO GET HOME FROM SCHOOL, SO IT MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO US IN TERMS OF HIM BEING ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL REGULARLY, ME BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING AND MY DAUGHTER BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES. AND MY SON ALSO HAS A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, SO SEE VETERAN ACTUALLY HE WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN TO DRIVE.

HE'S STARTING TO LEARN, BUT HE STILL USES VIA REGULARLY TO AND FROM UTSA.

AND. SO WE HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH VIA.

I WANT TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 31 ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE BASED ON OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I KNOW THIS WOULD HELP A LOT OF OTHER FAMILIES TO GIVE THEM MORE FLEXIBILITY AND FOR THEIR TEENAGERS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL MORE REGULARLY. IN MY WORK THROUGH SCHOOL DISCOVERY NETWORK I'VE SPOKEN TO HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WHO ARE TRYING TO FIND A HIGH QUALITY SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE RANGE OF OPTIONS BECAUSE SAN ANTONIO HAS SO MANY EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS THE SCHOOLS CLOSEST TO THEIR HOUSE. AND SO FOR A TEENAGER TO BE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT DECISION ABOUT WHERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL, FIND A SCHOOL THAT SERVES THEIR INTERESTS, FIND SCHOOLS THAT ARE GOING TO PREPARE THEM FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER, EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

BUT MORE THAN JUST THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF OFFERING A VIA BUS PASSES FOR FREE, AS PARENT WE TALK ABOUT A LOT IS WE WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE MORE INDEPENDENCE, WE WANT THEM TO MAYBE SPEND MORE TIME IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD, LESS TIME ON ELECTRONICS AND MORE TIME OUT IN THE REAL WORLD. AND VIA IS AN AMAZING TOOL FOR HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO DISCOVER OUR CITY.

AND ONE THING THAT MY SON DID, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR HUNDREDS OF HOURS AT THE MUSEUM WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER AND IT REALLY HELPED HIM DEVELOP HIS SOCIAL SKILLS AND HE LIKED SERVING THE YOUNG VISITORS THERE.

AND NOW HE STILL VOLUNTEERS, BUT HE MORE OFTEN GOES TO THE WITTE MUSEUM.

I APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE. I'M GETTING OVER THE FLU, BUT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ABOUT ITEM 31.

I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT FREE VIA PASSES FOR TEENAGERS SO THAT THEY CAN ACCESS HIGH

QUALITY SCHOOLS IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: FINAL

SPEAKER ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS JENNY GONZÁLEZ. >> GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JENNY AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS ONE OF THE GREATEST BARRIERS TO STUDENT SUCCESS. MISSING JUST 10% OF THE SCHOOL YEAR SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION RATES.

IN BEXAR COUNTY, 26% OF STUDENTS WERE CHRONICALLY ABSENT LAST YEAR AND ONE-THIRD WERE ACADEMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. TRANSPORTATION IS A MAJOR FACTOR. AT COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO, WE SEE THIS EVERYDAY. ONE RECENT EXAMPLE, A SINGLE PARENT WITH FOUR CHILDREN LOST HER CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD BUS PASSES. HER CHILDREN LIVE WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE SCHOOL, SO THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION.

THE WALK IS LONG, ALONG BUSY STREETS AND UNSAFE AND BAD WEATHER.

THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE, IT'S A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.

LAST SCHOOL YEAR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS OF SAN ANTONIO PROVIDED VIA PASSES TO APPROXIMATELY 576 STUDENTS AT A COST OF ABOUT $20,000. IF THE CITY FUNDS SEMESTER PASSES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, NON-PROFITS LIKE OURS CAN REDIRECT THOSE DOLLARS TO OTHER CRITICAL NEEDS, TO HELP SUPPORT, ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE AND BASIC NECESSITIES. THIS INITIATIVE WILL ENSURE SAFE, RELIABLE

[01:10:03]

YOUTH. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. ALL INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK HAVE SPOKEN. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCIL MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY HIGHLIGHTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER MUNGIA IS

RECOGNIZED. >> I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 18, WHICH IS GOING DOB AN 8.6-MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE GREENWAY TRAIL EXPANSION. INCLUDED IN THAT GRANT IS $667,000 TO SUPPORT THE RAILROAD CROSSING AT LEON CREEK NEAR QUINTANA ROAD. PEARSALL PARK IS A NICE PART LEON CREEK. IT DOES NOT YET CONNECT, SO THIS WILL HELP US GET THERE.

I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THIS GRANT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THAT PROJECT GO THROUGH.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO.

>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 12, THE AWARD TO SAN ANTONIO CONCEPTS CONSTRUCTION.

MY TEAM AND I HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THEM ON SEVERAL DISTRICT 5 PROJECTS AND THEY DEMONSTRATE THE UTMOST PROFESSIONALISM.

OFTEN TIMES IN OUR WORK, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WE RECEIVE A LOT OF CALLS IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER ... ABOUT HOW GREAT THIS CONTRACTING COMPANY WORKS WITH OUR CONSTITUENCY.

FROM ENSURING THAT THEY'RE CLEANING UP THE SITE TO OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO SOME OF OUR SENIORS WHO THEY MAY SEE STRUGGLING TO TAKE OUT THEIR TRASH TO AVOID SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. THIS IS A COMPANY THAT WE RECEIVE SO MUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK WHEN WE DO WORK WITH THEM, AND I'M SURE MY COLLEAGUES WITH RELATE THAT IT'S VERY RARE, RIGHT, THAT WE RECEIVE THOSE POSITIVE CALLS IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE. I WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE HIGHLIGHT AND RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE SOME OF THESE TEAMS THAT TACKLE THESE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND OF COURSE ENSURING THAT THEY PROVIDE THAT LEVEL OF CARE NOT JUST IN TERMS OF THE QUALITY OF WORK, BUT THE SERVICE TO THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY'RE SERVING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER GALVAN.

>> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUICK HIGHLIGHTS I WANTED TO GET TO. FIRST AND FOREMOST, HIGHLIGHT NUMBER 21, THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. SONYA HSA. SO.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM. SHE BRINGS OVER TWO DECADES OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION WITH A CAREER FOCUSED ON ADVANCING STUDENT SUCCESS, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND A MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ALL AROUND.

A PROUD COLLEGE GRADUATE THEY SERVES AS THE COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT PALO ALTO COLLEGE AND WORKS WITH ISDS TO STRENGTHEN PROGRAMMING.

SHE ALSO SERVES AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHSIDE ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ADVOCATING FOR STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT REAR ROUND. I'M SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU ON THE COMMISSION AND SHE'S ALSO MY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER SO I'M HAPPY TO HAVE HER IN IN DISTRICT 6 AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS YOU

WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? >> YEAH. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.

I'M GRATEFUL TO THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION ACROSS OUR CITY. IT'S AN HONOR TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH FELLOW CITY LEADERS AND ALSO COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO REALLY ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL ACCESS, EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO ALL STUDENTS AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CHOICE AND SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 23, THE DISTRICT 6 FIELD OFFICE IS GOING TO BE RENAMING THE COMMUNITY ROOM OF OUR OFFICE TO MARTIN TREVINO COMMUNITY ROOM. WOULD THE FAMILY PLEASE COME UP TO THE PODIUM? SOME OF YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THESE FAMILIAR FACES OF A FAMILY MEMBER OF A FORMER STAFF MEMBER FOR DISTRICT 6 PRIOR TO MY TENURE.

MATTER CONTINUE TREVINO WAS AN INCREDIBLE MATTER, HUSBAND AND JUST PERSON ON THIS EARTH. A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. HE WAS THE DISTRICT 6 STAFF MEMBER FOR OUR ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS FOR MANY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN DISTRICT 6. UNFORTUNATELY HE PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.

AND I'M ALSO STRUCK THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT BEFORE HIS PAYING I TEXTED HIM ON MARCH 6TD IMMEDIATELY. AND IT JUST WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO KNOW ABOUT MARTIN WAS THAT HIS COMMITMENT TO SERVICE TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,

[01:15:03]

AND THEY ASKED FOR THREE PEOPLE TO STAY ON BOARD IN THE DISTRICT'S OFFICE IF I WON. ORLANDO RAMIREZ WHO IS STILL HERE.

NANCY, WHO IS ALSO HERE, AND MARTIN TREVINO. BECAUSE THEY KNEW THE WORK THAT HE PUT IN EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY KNEW HIS COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO SERVICE AND FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE FOR OUR WORKING FAMILIES.

AND SO IT IS MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE WORK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HAVRDA WHO WAS HERE EARLIER STARTED TO NAME THE COMMUNITY ROOM AFTER MARTIN SO THAT EVERY TIME WE HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING, EVERY TIME WE HOST RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE REMINDED BY THE WORK NOT OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, NOT OF THE ELECTS, BUT A STAFF MEMBER WHO MADE SURE WE FOLLOWED THROUGH ON EVERY SINGLE STEP FOR PUBLIC WORKS, FOR TRASH PICKUP, ANYTHING THAT CAME UP WITH RESIDENTS, MARTIN WAS ABLE TO HANDLE IT. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO HAVE

ANY WORDS FOR THE FAMILY? >> ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY HERE, THANK YOU FOR VALUING THE CONSTITUENT SERVICE WORK THAT HE DID, AND I THINK HE STARTED, WHAT, IN 2009 AND STARTED FIRST WITH COUNCILMAN RAY LOPEZ AND I THINK HE WAS GOING TO BE ON BOARD WITH RICK AS WELL. SO THANK YOU FOR VALUING THIS GIFT TO ME AND THE FAMILY HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS PASSED AND THEN HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF FUN IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE THERE WITH THE CONSTITUENTS THAT ALSO VALUED HIM. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU. I ALSO WANTED TO SHOUT OUTCOUNCIL MEMBER GAVITO THAT YOU PUSHED FORWARD TODAY.

READY TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL

MEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I'M EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 31, WHICH IS APPROVING THE FUNDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND VIA TO FUND BUS PASSES FOR STUDENTS AGES 12 TO 18. THIS PILOT WAS ACTUALLY LAUNCHED ON DECEMBER 20TH AND FAMILIES ARE ALREADY SIGNING UP DAILY.

SO TODAY IS JUST THE LAST OFFICIAL STEP TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DONE.

THE IDEA CAME ABOUT WHEN I SERVED ON THE VIA BOARD AND I WAS ON AN INNOVATION COMMITTEE WITH DAVID ADLEMAN AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING KIDS TO SCHOOL ON VIA FOR FREE ONE DAY. AND THE IDEA ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME. AND ACTUALLY, FAST FORWARD TO A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I WAS ATTENDING A BREAKFAST PANEL ON EDUCATION THAT [INDISCERNIBLE] HAD PUT ON AND ACTUALLY DR. KAUR AND DR. SHIMSHACK WERE SPEAKERS THERE AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MANY OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED TODAY.

THE REAL BARRIERS TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL. AND SO FAST FORWARD A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER AND I WORKED WITH MY TEAM, I HAVE THE BEST TEAM.

AND WE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO GET IT DONE. SO I DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO HELPING US DO THAT. WE KNOW, AND I'M GOING TO REITERATE SOME OF THE POINTS. RECENT REPORTS FROM SAKE CITY EDUCATION PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOL, HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE ISSUE OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN OUR COMMUNITY. NEARLY ONE IN FOUR SAN ANTONIO STUDENTS MISSES AT LEAST 10% OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WHICH SURPASSES THE STATE AVERAGE.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS LINKED TO LOWER LITERACY RATES, LOWER GRADUATION RATES, HIGHER RATES OF JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT AND OTHER ISSUES.

WHAT WE LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO GET KIDS TO SCHOOL IS TRANSPORTATION, SO THIS WAS OUR EFFORT TO TACKLE THAT HEAD ON.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALSO ESPECIALLY TRUE. I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE COMMENTS WAS HEY, THERE'S SCHOOL BUSES, BUT FAMILIES LIVING WITHIN TWO TO THREE MILES ARE OFTEN DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE SCHOOL BUS SERVICE, SO THIS DEFINITELY HELPS THEM. THIS PILOT PROGRAM AIMS TO TACKLE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM BY PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION TO OUR YOUTH TO ELIMINATE THAT TRANSPORTATION BARRIER. IN ADDITION OUR KIDS WITH USE THE PASS TO GET TO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES LIKE TUTORING, JOBS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.

THIS FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE BUDGET IS AN INITIAL INVESTMENT IN WHAT WE HOPE TO BE A PERMANENT PROGRAM. KIND OF LIKE MY SENIOR ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM WHICH I KNOW THAT SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE SUPPORTED, IT WAS JUST A PILOT TO HELP OUR SENIORS INSTEAD OF PUNISH OUR SENIORS WITH CODE COMPLIANCE ISSUES AND NOW IT IS A PERMANENT FIXTURE IN OUR BUDGET.

SO WE'RE HOPING WE CAN GET THE SAME RESULT WITH THIS PROGRAM.

TODAY THE WORK IS ONLY GETTING STARTED WE WILL BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHERS TO KEEP THIS FUNDING

[01:20:02]

YOU ALL DO SO MUCH VITAL WORK THAT TOUCHES THE LIVES OF OUR KIDS, WHETHER IT IS THROUGH LEADING ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER THE PARENTS WE HEARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND ADVOCATING ON THIS IMPORTANT CHANGE.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SPEARHEAD THIS EFFORT. WE KNOW IT WILL MAKE SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY FAMILIES' LIVES AND TOGETHER WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD

TOGETHER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN

WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. I'LL PICK UP THERE AND AGAIN SAY THANK YOU TO THE IDENTIFYING A PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY, TALKING TO VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, IDENTIFYING A SOLUTION, BRINGING IT TO HER COLLEAGUES, WORKING ON IT, AND GETTING IT DONE TODAY. THIS IS A BIG WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO.

FOR ME, I'LL HIGHLIGHT ITEM 20. WE'RE EXCITED TO APPOINT GERALD MULVEY TO THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY BOARD.

HE BRINGS EXPERIENCE AS THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF SCIENTIST OF NIGHT HAWK WEATHER SINCE 2020 AND HAS MANY YEARS OF EXPERTISE AS A METEOROLOGIST.

WE THANK GERALD FOR REPRESENTING DISTRICT 10 . THANKS, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT TOOK THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. I UNDERSTAND VIA IS GOING TO OVERSEE THE PROGRAM. THANK YOU, VIA. I THINK WE'RE QUITE INTERESTED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO WORK AND IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC METRICS THAT CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

I THINK FOR SOME IT MAY BE THE COST. AS WE ALL KNOW, IT MAY BE THE CONVENIENCE OF THE ROUTE. AND JOHN, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU ANTICIPATE MEASURING THE ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM TO GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT. BECAUSE I THINK AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, THERE'S GREAT INTEREST FROM THE DAIS IN GOING TO FULL FARE FREE.

THIS WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND THAT. WELCOME YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE MEASURING AS PART OF THIS PILOT.

>> MAYOR, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU AS WELL.

MAYOR, IT IS -- WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A PROGRAM THAT'S EXISTED FOR DECADES.

IT'S OUR STUDENT PASS PROGRAM. IT IS INDEED A PROGRAM THAT IS IDENTIFIED, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AS A DISCOUNT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE. SECOND OF ALL, WE DO TRACK THAT PROGRAM AND WE TRACK IT THROUGH THE SCHOOLS AND WE TRACK IT THROUGH OUR OWN CAPABILITIES AS WELL.

SO BRINGING KPIS BACK TO THIS BOARD HERE OR TO YOU SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM

WHATSOEVER. >> MAYOR JONES: PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU WORK WITH THE CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE AS WE MAKE SURE THAT THE CONNECTION TO ADDRESSING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, THAT WE FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW THAT NEEDLE IS MOVING IN ANY FORM OR FASHION. OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES.

[ACTION ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION]

>> CLERK: ITEM NO. 4 IS A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ BY THE CPS ENERGY BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO SERVE AS TRUSTEE OF THE NORTHEAST GUADALAJARA OF THE CPS ENERGY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A TERM COMMENTING FEBRUARY 1, 2026, AND EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2031. NO. 5 IS A RESOLUTION APPOINTING DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ TO THE SAN ANTONIO ENERGY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM OF OFFICE COMMENCING ON

FEBRUARY 1, 2026 AND EXPIRING JANUARY 31, 2027. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT.

WE HAVE ONE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS.

JACK FINGER, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> MADAME MAYOR AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS

[01:25:05]

YES. THIS IS THE BOARD THAT GOVERNS OUR -- WELL, OUR ELECTRICAL AND GAS UTILITIES. THE -- PERHAPS MS. GONZALEZ IS QUALIFIED FOR THIS. I DON'T KNOW. I WASN'T AT THE HEARINGS FOR HER BUT I DO KNOW THAT SHE IS A -- HAS BEEN TRAINED IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND SHE IS A -- DEALS WITH EXPERT AND -- I THINK IT'S ASTHMA-RELATED AFFLICTIONS AND SO FORTH. THAT'S GREAT. I WISH HER WELL IN THAT REGARD AND BUT THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS, ISSUES, CHALLENGES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE FOR HER IF SHE GETS ON TO THE CITY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD.

AND THESE ARE -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS HAS BEEN RATE INCREASES.

SHE'S GOING TO BE FACING. SHALL SHE INCREASE THE RATES FOR THE CITY PUBLIC SERVICE OR NOT? MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, OUR LAST RATE INCREASE WAS JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. WHAT DOES IT SAY THERE? CAN YOU DISPLAY IT SO WE CAN ALL READ IT? RAPID POPULATION AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.

SAN ANTONIO IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING PROJECTED TEN-FOLD INCREASE IN DEMAND FROM DATA CENTERS. YES.

PUT THIS ON THERE, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN. WHAT DOES THAT ONE SAY? YEAH. AS OF JANUARY 2026, THE UTILITY HAS PREVIOUSLY PROJECTED ANOTHER POTENTIAL INCREASE OF UP TO 5.5% TO BE REQUESTED IN LATE 2025 OR EARLY 2026. YEAH. PUT THAT ONE THERE, IF YOU WOULD. IN 2024, THE CPS ENERGY IMPLEMENTED A 4.25% BASE INCREASE FOR SAN ANTONIO. THIS CHANGE WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

RETURN THE CAMERA TO THE PODIUM, IF YOU WOULD. YOU KNOW, I GUESS MAYBE MS. GONZALEZ IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE. THE QUESTION IS: WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN THE QUESTION IS POPPED TO YOU ON THIS ONE HERE? NOW, ESPECIALLY FOR THE DATA CENTERS. YOU KNOW, WILL YOU FORCE ALL OF US RATEPAYERS TO PAY FOR THE DATA CENTERS OR WILL YOU FORCE THEM TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE ON THIS STUFF? I, FOR ONE, DON'T LIKE THE INEQUALITY HERE, YOU KNOW?

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: ALL INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK HAVE SPOKEN. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 4 AND 5 SO WE MAY

BEGIN COUNCIL DISCUSSION? >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: CPS ENERGY IS HERE AND DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ REYES IS ALSO PRESENT. LET ME READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DR. GONZALEZ REYES' IMPRESSIVE BACKGROUND. I WAS AT THE INTERVIEW PROCESS. I CAN SPEAK TO HOW WELL QUALIFIED SHE IS FOR THIS POSITION. BUT JUST SO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS CLEAR ABOUT THE TRUE ASSET THAT IS GOING TO JOIN THE BOARD. DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ REYES IS A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF STAMP . SHE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE CHIEF OF THE ALLERGY AND RHEUMATOLOGY DIVISION OF SAN ANTONIO AND WAS AN ASSOCIATE AT BAYLOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SHE IS AN ADVISOR TO THE DEAN OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH AT ST.

MARY'S UNIVERSITY AND SHE IS ON THE STOCK COMMITTEE WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES AND IS A CO-CHAIR FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE. DR. GONZALEZ FOUNDED THE NONPROFIT CORAZON SA ADDRESSING HEALTH INEQUITIES AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. SHE IS A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, GRADUATED MAGNA CUM LAUDE FROM ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY AND RETURNED HOME AFTER COMPLETING TEN YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY IN THE AIR FORCE.

SHE WAS SELECTED AS THE 2019 LEADERSHIP SCHOLAR AND WAS APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE NATIONAL MEDAL COMMITTEE. SHE WAS AWARDED SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL'S 2002 DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AWARD. SO DURING THE INTERVIEWS, IT

[01:30:04]

IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT DR. GONZALEZ REYES WAS BY FAR THE MOST QUALIFIED OF THOSE THAT HAD APPLIED AND WERE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

HER UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS, HER UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING OF PUBLIC HEALTH. ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ISSUES WHEN WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT DATA CENTERS IS THE IMPACTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH. SO HER DEEP EXPERTISE IN THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HERSELF, SHE'S GOT BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY SO SHE KNOWS THE UNIQUE INEQUITIES FACED BY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SHE WILL ALSO BRING THAT AND JUST COMMON SENSE TO HOW SHE UNDERSTANDS HOW WE MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND HOW THOSE MAY AFFECT SOME OF THE -- CAREFUL NOT TO EXACERBATE SOME OF THE INEQUITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE VERY THANKFUL THAT SHE IS HERE. DR. GONZALEZ REYES, IF YOU

WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. I DO NOT TAKE THIS POSITION LIGHTLY. I KNOW IT TAKES HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT TO DO THIS ROLE SUCCESSFULLY AND I'M COMMITTED TO DO THAT. FOR ME, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO BE A VOICE FOR THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR REGIONS ARE BEING REPRESENTED. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE SAFETY AND THE WELL BEING AND HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD STRIVE TO DO. SO THANK YOU FOR THE CONSIDERATION.

>> MAYOR JONES: SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

I'LL RECOGNIZE DR. COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. CONGRATULATIONS, DR. GONZALEZ.

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING DR. GONZALEZ AS MY ALLERGIST SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED BLOCK WALKING AND I COULD NOT BREATHE. SHE'S LIKE IT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVE ASTHMA. THE CARE THAT YOU TAKE FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE, AND THE FACTS AND CHALLENGES THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF ASTHMA IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW SO MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE AFFECTED BY IT BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING WE HAVE CREATED. THE WAY YOU CARE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY IS THE WAY YOU WILL LEAD FOR CPS. IT'S A TOUGH ROLE.

WE GET CALLS ALL THE TIME ABOUT LIGHTBULBS THAT ARE OUT AND OTHER AREAS OF IMPACT THAT THEY HAVE. THERE'S A RATE CHANGE THAT IS POTENTIALLY PROJECTED COMING UP. THERE'S A NEED FOR CONTINUING TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S STRONGER AND MODIFY OLD EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE NEED IN LEADERSHIP THERE RIGHT NOW IS BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THE WORK THAT IS AHEAD TO OUR RESIDENTS AND MAKING SURE WE'RE DOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THOROUGHLY. I WANTED TO SHOUT OUT, I GOT A GREAT COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR DOOR HANGER AND WE NEED TO DO MORE OF THAT.

I KNOW YOUR BACKGROUND, LEADERSHIP, AND HOW YOU TREAT YOUR FAMILY, ALL OF THE FOLKS AT THE PRACTICE IS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO LEAD IN THAT ROLE AS WELL.

SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WANTING TO STEP UP FOR THIS ROLE AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE

WHAT YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. >> MAYOR JONES:

COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.

DR. GONZALEZ, I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU FRIEND. I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A BUSINESS IN DISTRICT 3, NEIGHBOR TO THE FIELD OFFICE.

WE NEED STRONG LEADERS. THE TASKS AHEAD ARE ALWAYS HEAVY.

THIS IS THE SEVENTH LARGEST CITY IN SAN ANTONIO BUT I KNOW THAT YOUR LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO BE NEEDED AND NECESSARY AS WE MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE OF ITS INNOVATION AND ITS FORWARD THINKING. THAT YOU HAPPEN TO BE A WOMAN IS JUST A PLUS BECAUSE YOUR LEADERSHIP QUALITY IS THERE. BUT I THINK THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN THE DECISION AND THE MOVEMENT THAT THE CPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP HAS MADE. THANK YOU, MAYOR JONES, FOR SITTING ON THAT AND SEEING THAT IN THE FUTURE WE NEED THE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

THE PERSPECTIVES YOU BRING THAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED REGARDING SMALL BUSINESSES AND RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS. THE HEALTH ISSUES.

THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE BUILD THE TAX BASE WITHIN THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR CITIES AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN REDLINED AND HAVEN'T BEEN SERVED.

TOGETHER, THIS BOARD, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. ROMERO CAN GET US THERE.

IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT DECISIONS BUT WHAT HELPS IS I KNOW I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IN THE BOARD THAT SITS THERE RIGHT NOW AND CPS TO GIVE US THE RIGHT COUNSEL AND ADVICE AS WE MOVE FORWARD. ULTIMATELY WE AS A COUNCIL NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. I AM SUPER PROUD AND EXCITED.

AGAIN, IN OUR CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW MY PRIORITIES REGARDING

[01:35:03]

AND I THINK THAT WE'RE READY AND WE HAVE THE TEAM GATHERED.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY ASSEMBLED. TO MOVE FORWARD AS WE DO THIS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SERVING BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF THINGS YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE PASSION FOR THIS AND BEING WILLING TO SERVE ON THIS CPS BOARD AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: CONGRATULATIONS, DOCTOR. YOU AND I GOT A CHANCE TO SPEAK AND I WAS HAPPY AND SURPRISED THAT YOU WERE A FINALIZE. I THINK YOU'RE HELPING BREAK THE MOLD AS FAR AS YOUR SEAT, WHAT THE TRADITION HAS BEEN.

I'M VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT AND I THINK YOU'LL BRING THE RIGHT BALANCE OF KEEPING THE BOTTOM LINE AT CPS AND CONSIDERING SMALL BUSINESSES BUT ALSO CONSIDERING THE MOST VULNERABLE OF SAN ANTONIO. WE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AND EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF TOWN, I KNOW YOU SEE A LOT OF MY RESIDENTS AS YOUR CLIENTS, AS PATIENTS, AND YOU UNDERSTAND THE PLIGHTS OF POVERTY THAT HAPPENS IN OUR CITY. AND I KNOW THAT YOU'LL WEIGH THAT WITH YOUR DECISIONS OF THE BOARD. I APPRECIATE IT.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU DO THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, DR. GONZALEZ FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY. AS FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THE INTERSECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC UTILITIES AND I VALUE THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD TALKING ABOUT DISTRICT 5 RESIDENT PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF CPS ENERGY. AND DISTRICT 5 IS GOING TO BE HAVING A PUBLIC HEALTH CONVERSATION AT LAS PALMAS. AS A TEAM WE WERE DISCUSSING WHAT THAT INTERSECTION LOOKS LIKE AND I THINK THE CRITICAL CARE PROGRAM IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I VALUE THAT EXPERTISE AND LENS THAT YOU WILL BE BRINGING TO THE CPS ENERGY BOARD BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT THIS COUNCIL AND A LOT OF OUR APPOINTMENTS HAVE HAD THAT LENS. I THINK IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THE PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BRING TO OUR PUBLIC UTILITIES.

AS FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED, YOU HAVE A WEALTH OF EXPERTISE FROM SMALL BUSINESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SO MUCH MORE. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT WHAT MAKES YOU AN EVEN GREATER ASSET TO THE BOARD IS THAT YOUR WORK DURING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO NAVIGATING COVID-19 AND THAT PANDEMIC AND THE ROLE YOUR TEAM PLAYED ENSURING FOLKS HAD ACCESS TO VACCINES. IN A CRISIS AND IT'S ANOTHER WINTER STORM URI OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, YOU HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE ON HOW TO NAVIGATE AND WHAT STEPS TO TAKE. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. GONZALEZ, FOR APPLYING AND GETTING TO A FINALIST AND NOW COMING HERE TODAY TO BE APPROVED. I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT.

TO THE CPS ENERGY BOARD. YOU KNOW THE DISTRICT 6 PRIORITIES THAT WE DISCUSSED, TALKING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND WEATHERIZATION NEEDS AND OF COURSE THE RATE EQUITY THROUGHOUT OUR CITY AND WAYS WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD WITH RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY HERE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

I DID NOT REALIZE WHEN WE WERE TALKING BUT YOU ALSO WORKED IN THE ASTHMA AND ALLERGY FIELD. I'M A CHRONIC ASTHMATIC AND IT'S INSPIRED ME TO GET INVOLVED IN MORE ENERGY POLICY IN COLLEGE, TAKING CLASSES AND DOING RESEARCH WITH FOLKS IN OUR CITY HERE WHO ARE ADVOCATING WAYS TO LOOK AT OUR RATES HERE AT CPS. THE INTERSECTION THAT COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO HIGHLIGHTED WITH THE EFFECTS IT COULD HAVE ON ASTHMA RATES ALONG WITH JUST GENERAL CLEAN AIR IN OUR CITY. SO THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AS WELL AS RESIDENTS IN MY COMMUNITY AND THINGS WE HAVE SHARED ACROSS THE BOARD WHEN TALKING ABOUT IT. EXCITED TO HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE AND

CONTINUE TO SEE WAYS WE CAN COLLABORATE GOING FORWARD. >> MAYOR JONES:

COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT TODAY. I HAVE KNOWN DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ REYES FOR YEARS.

OUR RELATIONSHIP GOES WAY BACK. SO WHETHER IT WAS ME SERVING --E ST. MARY'S ALUMNI BOARD IN HONORING YOU AS A DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI, THROUGH US HAVING OUR, YOU KNOW, FELT LIKE QUARTERLY OR COUPLE TIMES A YEAR BREAKFAST, AND WE TALKED ABOUT BEING WORKING MOMS AND WE'RE BOTH TRYING TO NAVIGATE WORK IN OUR DIFFERENT FIELDS AND ALSO OUR KIDDOS' LIVES AS WELL.

I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR. I REMEMBER TALKING TO YOU ABOUT GETTING INTO

[01:40:07]

SO I KNOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND. I KNOW YOUR BACKGROUND AS A MOTHER AND I KNOW YOUR BACKGROUND AS A FRIEND AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST TO REPRESENT ALL OF US ON THE CPS ENERGY BOARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STEPPING UP AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO GIVE YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO THAT,

BECAUSE WE ALL NEED THAT. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.

>> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. THERE'S A LOT OF RESIDENTS, LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND EFFORT TO MAKING THIS CITY GROW AND MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THAT ON. I KNOW THIS IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY. EVERY VOTE THAT WE TAKE IMPACTS RESIDENTS, JUST LIKE EVERY VOTE THAT YOU TAKE ON THE BOARD WILL IMPACT RESIDENTS AS WELL.

JUST ALWAYS KEEP COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN MIND. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN AND THAT'S THE QUESTIONS THAT RESIDENTS ASK US ABOUT. AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE ALWAYS AT THE FRONT OF THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE ON THAT BOARD . I WANT TO SHOUT OUT FRANCINE, WHO IS DOING A FABULOUS JOB AS THE CHAIR OF THIS BOARD. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN WHYTE. >> WHYTE: WE DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER TOO WELL BUT I APPRECIATED YOU REACHING OUT AND REALLY ENJOYED OUR MEETING. AT THAT MEETING WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT RATES, RIGHT, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S MY OPINION THAT TOO OFTEN WE ASK THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO TO CONTINUALLY GIVE MORE MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY TO -- BACK TO US AND IT'S NOT RIGHT. I APPRECIATED OUR CONVERSATION AROUND THAT AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A VAST ARRAY OF EXPERIENCE AND YOU HAVE A COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO. AND SO WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN TO GUARD OUR RATEPAYERS. AND SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THE APPOINTMENT TODAY AND

LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION -- OH, YOU HAD

SOMETHING? SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I HAD NOT REALIZED WE WERE GOING IN THIS ORDER AND I MISSED MY CHANCE.

I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS. YOU REPRESENT A SMALL SLIVER OF MY DISTRICT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

I HEAR EVERYONE SPEAKING HIGHLY OF YOU AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS ROLE. SO, THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEMS 4 AND 5. PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES.

CONGRATULATIONS. THE CITY CLERK WILL NOW SWEAR IN DR. ERIKA GONZALEZ

REYES. >> CLERK: IN THE NAME OF AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

>> I, ERIKA GONZALEZ, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF NORTHEAST QUADRANT TRUSTEE OF THE CPS ENERGY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE SAN ANTONIO ENERGY ACQUISITION PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED

STATES AND OF THIS STATE, SO HELP ME, GOD. >> CLERK: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION FOR

ITEM 6. >> CLERK: ITEM ESCROW AGREEMENT AMONG THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, SAN ANTONIO SPURS HOLDINGS, LLC, AND CHICAGO TITLE ACTING AS ESCROW AGENT TO ACCEPT $30 MILLION PLUS CLOSING AND CARRYING COSTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING AN OFFER TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 727 EAST CESAR CHAVEZ

[01:45:05]

AGREEMENT. >> MAYOR JONES: STAFF HAS A PRESENTATION, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. SO THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO PARTS TO THIS ITEM. THE FIRST IS THAT WE'RE ASKING YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO ALLOW US TO SUBMIT AN OFFER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TO ACQUIRE WHAT WE REFER TO AS THE FEDERAL BUILDING WEST PROPERTIES . THEY ARE NOTED THERE ON THE MAP ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THIS SLIDE. THEY INCLUDE THE FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING, WHICH IS LOCATED JUST TO THE EAST OF THE FORMER WOOD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE , ALONG WITH THE ADJACENT PARKING LOT AND THE TWO PARKING LOTS SOUTH OF THAT ACROSS THE STREET ON CESAR CHAVEZ. THE TOTAL PARCELS ARE 5.7 ACRES.

WE'RE ASKING AUTHORIZATION TO PROPOSE AN OFFER OF $30 MILLION PLUS CLOSING COSTS UP TO $120,000. THE $30 MILLION IS INFORMED BASED ON AN APPRAISAL THAT WE HAD DONE IN COORDINATION WITH THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION OR GSA.

IT CAME IN JUST UNDER $30 MILLION AND THEN SOME CLOSING COSTS OF UP TO $120,000. THIS WOULD BE THE SITE OF FUTURE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD THE ARENA PROJECT MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAT WE'RE ASKING YOU AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE AN OFFER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. TYPICALLY WHEN WE'RE ACQUIRING REAL ESTATE, WE HAVE ALREADY NEGOTIATED THE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING THROUGH A DISPOSITION PROCESS.

UNDER THAT PROCESS, THEY HAVE OPENED UP A NEGOTIATED SALE TO A PUBLIC BODY.

THEY DID THAT ABOUT MID LAST YEAR, AS A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE ELIGIBLE TO DO THAT. WE EXPRESSED OUR INTEREST ABOUT MID LAST YEAR THAT WE WERE INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING THAT PROPERTY THROUGH A NEGOTIATED SALE PROCESS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING THROUGH AN OFFER PROCESS ON THE TRANSACTION. A LITTLE BIT OF A TIMELINE THERE ON THE BOTTOM.

IF YOU APPROVED THE ITEM TODAY, WE WOULD SUBMIT THE OFFER MID NEXT WEEK.

THEY HAVE GIVEN US A DEADLINE OF JANUARY 26 BY WHICH TO SUBMIT THE OFFER TO GSA. THE SECOND PART OF THE OFFER DEALS WITH A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS. BASED ON THE TERM SHEET THAT WAS APPROVED LATE LAST SUMMER, THE SPURS HAVE AGREED TO PROVIDE $30 MILLION TO BE UTILIZED BY THE CITY TO ACQUIRE THIS PROPERTY. THEY'VE ALSO AGREED TO COVER THE CLOSING COSTS OF UP TO $120,000. IF THE GSA ACCEPTS THE OFFER, THE CITY GETS FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO CONTINGENCY DEED.

I'LL TALK ABOUT THE CONTINGENCY DEED IN A SECOND BUT THIS WOULD BE PROPERTY THAT WE WOULD OWN. THE ARENA PROJECT ADVANCES FORWARD AND THIS IS PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE GROUND LEASE FOR A GUARANTEED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT.

THE CONTINGENCY DEED COMES INTO PLAY IN THE EVENT THAT THE ARENA PROJECT DOES NOT COMMENCE OR DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD. IF IT MOVES FORWARD AND IT'S FINANCED, AT THAT POINT THE CONTINGENCY DEED WOULD BE DESTROYED.

WE RETAIN FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY. IF THE PROJECT DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD AND DOES NOT COMMENCE, WHETHER THE SPURS DETERMINE THAT OR WE DETERMINE THAT, THE CITY HAS THE OPTION AT THAT POINT TO REIMBURSE THE SPURS FOR THE $30 MILLION PLUS THEIR CARRYING COSTS ON THE LOAN THAT THEY WOULD TAKE OUT TO GIVE US THIS FUNDING. IT WOULD BE BASED ON THEIR ACTUAL CARRYING COSTS.

IF WE DO THAT, THEN THE CONTINGENCY DEED IS DESTROYED.

WE RETAIN FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY. IF WE CHOOSE NOT TO DO THAT, THEN THE CONTINGENCY DEED KICKS IN AND IT WOULD TRANSFER FEE SIMPLE TITLE FROM THE CITY TO THE SPURS IN THAT SITUATION, IF WE OPT TO NOT REIMBURSE THE $30 MILLION. AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT OF A TIMELINE THERE ON THE BOTTOM. WITH YOUR APPROVAL TODAY, WE WOULD SUBMIT THE OFFER MID NEXT WEEK. WITH THE OFFER WE NEED TO SUBMIT AN EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT OF $3 MILLION. THAT WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE SPURS.

TYPICAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION. IF THE GSA REJECTS THAT OFFER, THE MONEY WOULD GO BACK TO THE SPURS IF WE DON'T ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY.

THE TIMELINE GOES OUT TO JULY 31ST. THE GSA HAS UP TO 120 DAYS TO REVIEW THE OFFER. WE DON'T THINK THEY WILL LIKELY TAKE THAT MUCH TIME.

ONCE THEY ACCEPT THE OFFER, PROBABLY A 30 TO 60-DAY CLOSING AFTER THAT.

SO WITH THAT, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE

AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR JONES: THANKS, BEN. THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE SIGNED

[01:50:02]

ALL INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GROUPS OF THREE OR MORE WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES. FATHER AGUILAR IS THE FIRST SPEAKER FOLLOWED BY SANDRA MARTINEZ. SANDRA MARTINEZ? OKAY. REBECCA FLORES. MARY CABREL.

WAS HERE AT THE SA SPEAK OUT YESTERDAY TO INFORM THE BOARD, COUNCIL THAT WHY I WAS SIGNING UP TODAY TO SAY I WOULD LIKE YOUR NO VOTE ON AGENDA ITEM NO. 6 TODAY.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 6 REQUESTS AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO AND IN RELATION TO PROJECT MARVEL COSTS AND CONTRACT RISKS TO BE BORN BY THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO. MY LOSS OF FAITH IN MARVEL INFORMATION HAS DEVELOPED FROM THE SHROUD OF NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

WHEN INFORMATION HAS BEEN PRESENTED, IT WAS STRATEGICALLY INCOMPLETE.

BEFORE CITY ELECTIONS LAST SPRING AND IN REFERENCE TO A NEW ARENA, I HEARD THROUGH DIFFERENT COUNCIL PERSONS TELL AN AUDIENCE THAT NOT ONE DOLLAR WILL COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR THIS. BUT TO DATE I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE COUNCILPERSON OR CITY EMPLOYEE EXPLAIN THAT NOT ONE DOLLAR FROM TAX REVENUE FOR TIRZ PUBLIC FUNDS TO BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND BUDGET CUTS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS IDENTIFIED DECLINING EVALUATIONS ON OLDER PROPERTIES AND THE LACK OF NEW DEVELOPMENT TAXES COMING INTO THE GENERAL FUND AS THE CAUSE OF BUDGET SHORTFALLS.

HOW DID AGENDA ITEM NO. 6 FALL SHORT? AFTER NEGOTIATING ONLY $4 MILLION ANNUAL RENTAL ON A STRUCTURE WITH AN ANNOUNCED VALUATION OF $1.3 BILLION, IT WOULD GENERATE ALMOST $32 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.

I AM ASKING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS REAL ESTATE PROPOSAL: WHY NOW? THE FEDERAL OWNER OCCUPANT YEARS AWAY FROM LEAVING THE PROPERTIES.

THERE IS TIME FOR COMMUNITY INPUT BEFORE A TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.

WHY THE PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH SAN ANTONIO CITY OWNERSHIP? BY DESCRIPTION OF THE SPURS' TERMS IN THE AGENDA, FEE SIMPLE TITLE TO THE TITLE CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SPONSOR, THE SPURS, THE PURCHASE SPONSOR.

WHY NOT HAVE SPURS BUY THIS PROPERTY DIRECTLY IF THEY WANT THE PURCHASE TO HAPPEN NOW? IT IS THE SPURS' PROMISED DEVELOPMENT THAT THE CITY DEEMS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE FINANCING PLAN FOR THE ARENA.

THERE HAS BEEN NO TAXATION OF THIS FEDERAL PROPERTY THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE ZERO.

UNDER THE SPURS' OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, NOW IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY GENERATE $732,000 TAXES PAID BY THE SPURS WHO COULD BE RECEIVING THE RENTAL INCOME FROM THE CURRENT TENANTS. PUBLIC OWNERSHIP DOES NOT GENERATE PUBLIC REVENUE.

AND THE LEASE AMOUNT NEGOTIATED FOR THE $1.3 BILLION PUBLICLY-OWNED ARENA DOES NOT GENERATE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN A LAND LEASE FROM AGENDA ITEM NO.

6. I'M ASKING FOR YOUR NO VOTE TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR JONES: ALL INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK HAVE SPOKEN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 6 SO WE MAY

BEGIN COUNCIL DISCUSSION? >> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION. COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. THIS HOPEFULLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION THAT WE HEARD YESTERDAY AND TODAY FROM MS. MU. YESTERDAY I ASKED WHY CAN'T THE SPURS BUY THE LAND OUTRIGHT? IT SEEMS CLEANER THAT WAY.

CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THAT? >> MAYOR JONES: FREEZE THE TIME, PLEASE.

THANKS. >> GORZELL: GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMAN.

AGAIN, THE PROCESS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS USING TO DO THIS IS A NEGOTIATED SALE OF PROPERTY, SO IT'S A DISPOSITION PROCESS THAT THEY CAN DO UNDER WHICH THEY GET FAIR MARKET VALUE. BUT IN THAT CASE THEY'VE GOT TO LET THAT NEGOTIATED SALE HAPPEN WITH A PUBLIC ENTITY. IN THAT CASE, THAT WOULD BE US.

[01:55:02]

>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. SO BASICALLY RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE DISPOSITION PROCESS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS USING, THEY ARE ONLY ALLOWING THE SALE TO PUBLIC ENTITIES, WHICH WOULD BE CITY, COUNTY,

STATES, THE LIKE, SCHOOL BOARDS. >> GORZELL: POLITICAL

SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, YES, SIR. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I MENTIONED YESTERDAY I'M NOT INHERENTLY OPPOSED TO THIS. THE SPURS WILL PAY FOR IT, OWN IT, AND RECEIVE THE GROUND LEASE PAYMENT. IT'S NOT REALLY A LOSING DEAL UNLESS ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE AND WE DECIDE TO OWN THIS PROPERTY THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH LATER. A CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN RAISED THAT IS VALID IS HAS THIS PROPERTY BEEN NAMED IN ANY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT WE HAVE DONE IN ANY OF THE TOWN HALLS? WHERE THE PUBLIC WOULD SAY THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR SALE TO THE SPURS? HAS THIS SPECIFIC PROPERTY

EVER BEEN NAMED IN ANYTHING? >> GORZELL: SO I THINK AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS PROJECT SINCE LAST SUMMER, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO SUPPORT THE ARENA PROJECT FINANCING. I THINK IN ALL THOSE PRESENTATIONS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS PROPERTY IS A KEY PART OF THAT FINANCING

PLAN, YES, SIR. >> WALSH: COUNCILMAN, WE HAVE ALSO IDENTIFIED THE EFFORT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO GO THROUGH TO ACQUIRE THAT PROPERTY IN ADVANCE OF ANY

SORT OF DEVELOPMENT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I'M TRYING TO THINK DID I HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YESTERDAY THAT DIDN'T -- I THINK THAT ANSWERED THAT QUESTION. AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS IS FAIRLY ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE. I DO EXPECT THAT WE HAVE A LARGE ROLE IN DETERMINING WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE WITH THIS PROPERTY. THE LAND WILL BE CITY OWNED AND SO WHATEVER GETS DEVELOPED IS STAMPED BY US. AND WE'VE SET OUR NEEDS IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY, IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IN TERMS OF PARKS AND GREEN SPACE. SO I DO EXPECT THAT WHATEVER IS DEVELOPED HERE HELPS US ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND IS NOT JUST SOME ULTRA LUXURY SET OF CONDOS AND WHATNOT THAT FURTHER CAUSE HARM IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND AGAIN, BEN AND THE TEAM. AS WE MOVE FORWARD TODAY I WANT TO STRESS -- I ECHOED IT YESTERDAY WITH COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO -- IS THAT, YOU KNOW, ON THE SLIM REMOTE CHANCE THAT THIS DOESN'T GO THROUGH, I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE AS A COUNCIL LOOK TO MAINTAIN AND RETAIN AS MUCH DOWNTOWN PROPERTY AS POSSIBLE. SO THAT IS ONE THING FROM THE DAIS, TODAY I WANT TO SAY THAT OUR COMMITMENT IS THE WAY WE KEEP DOWNTOWN AFFORDABLE.

THE WAY WE KEEP DOWNTOWN WITH THAT SAN ANTONIO FLAVOR AND STORY BEING TOLD IS THAT WE KEEP CONTROL OF THE PROPERTY THAT WE HAVE DOWNTOWN WITHIN THESE LEASE AGREEMENTS. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING THIS ADMINISTRATIVE STEP AND CONTINUING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT PROPERTY IS AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN. THIS ONE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT WAS OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WE WERE ABLE TO COME IN. IF THIS HAD BEEN A DIFFERENT SITUATION -- AND WE HAVE SEEN THIS WITH DIFFERENT HOUSING PROJECTS OR ICONIC PLACES DOWNTOWN, IS THEN WE HAVE TO GO IN AND TRY AND GET ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP BID THAT'S GOING TO KEEP IT WHAT OUR GOAL IS IN TERMS OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE SAN ANTONIO STORY. SO I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS TODAY.

IT IS A NECESSARY STEP. BUT I THINK IN LARGER CONVERSATIONS THIS COUNCIL, WHETHER A COMMITTEE MEETING OR THREE AT A TIME NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT STRATEGICALLY WHAT DO WE CONTROL DOWNTOWN AND STRATEGICALLY WHAT IS COMING UP FOR SALE THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY PURCHASE OR POSSIBLY KEEP WITHIN THE CITY COFFERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT. AGAIN, ALSO LOOKING AT WHAT OF THE OLD BUILDINGS DO WE -- IS NECESSARY TO KEEP IN HISTORIC DESIGNATION AND WHICH IS NOT. BECAUSE THAT'S THE OTHER CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO THESE CONVERSATIONS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THIS FORWARD TODAY. THANK YOU, BEN AND TEAM FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. I KNOW IT'S A LOT AND I KNOW --I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS IT'S NOT JUST DOWNTOWN. YOU'RE DOING THIS CITYWIDE IN TERMS OF WHAT ASSETS WE HAVE AND WHAT WE HOLD AND WHAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN. SO, THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, BEN FOR THE QUICK PRESENTATION AS WELL AS THE

[02:00:03]

I THINK I ECHO A LOT OF WHAT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN AND MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ SAID ABOUT THE PROPERTY. SLIM CHANCE IT DOESN'T GO THROUGH, WE CAN FIGURE OUT THINGS TO ACHIEVE WITH THAT PROPERTY. AND AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THE MORE DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTS WE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY TOO, ENSURING WE ARE GIVING DIRECTION ON WHAT WE WANT TO SEE WITHIN THAT SPACE.

WE CAN ADDRESS SUSTAINABILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, ALL THE OTHER KIND OF THINGS THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR THERE, NOT JUST WITHIN THIS

PARTICULAR DISTRICT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES:

COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.

JUST REALLY QUICK WANTED TO REITERATE MY COMMENTS YESTERDAY ABOUT I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM ON THE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT PROJECT AS A WHOLE . THIS IS JUST A STEP IN THAT OVERALL PROJECT.

AT THE SAME TIME, TOO, I DO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO COMMUNITY INPUT AND THAT'S INCUMBENT ON ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS' VOICES ARE HEARD DURING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS. I HAVE FAITH IN MY COLLEAGUES. AND THE CITY TEAM THAT WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES:

COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND TH THANK YOU, BEN FOR THE PRESENTATION. I UNDERSTAND THE CONSENSUS OF THIS BODY IS TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT. AND AROUND THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TRANSITION OF THE PROPERTY TO PUBLIC ENTITIES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WITH THE OFF SELLING OF PROPERTY PROPERTY THROUGH THE MCKINNEY ACT THAT PRIORITIZES HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS . HOWEVER, IN ORDER FOR US TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY BEFORE THOSE HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS, SAN ANTONIO HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE TO SEND IN A LETTER THAT THIS SITE IS NOT FIT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. SO MY QUESTION IS: CAN CITY COUNCIL HAVE A LIST OF THOSE HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT WROTE THAT THIS SITE WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING? AND I BRING THAT POINT TO BRING MY COLLEAGUES ALONG TO THE POINT THAT WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL MAKEUP OF THIS PROJECT IS MARKET RATE, I BELIEVE THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY LOOK AT THE OVERLYING TIRZ AND OTHER FUNDING MECHANISMS TO BUY DOWN RENTS TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN HAVE AFFORDABILITY WITHIN THIS PROJECT. SO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

AS WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE OUR BRIEFINGS AND UPDATES, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHO THOSE HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS WERE THAT FELT THAT THIS PROPERTY WAS NOT FIT.

BECAUSE THE MCKINNEY ACT WAS ESTABLISHED PRIMARILY FOR UNHOUSED CHILDREN .

CLOSE TO THIS PROPERTY WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST-RATED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT LIST OF PROVIDERS AND, TWO, ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PRIORITIZE AND ADVOCATE TO IDENTIFY A FINANCIAL STRUCTURE THAT WE CAN HELP BUY DOWN RENTS, WHETHER THAT'S WORKING WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME, FUTURE BOND FUNDING, OR SOME METHOD TO ENSURE THAT WE DO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THIS SITE. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> MAYOR JONES: HAS EVERYONE SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? OKAY. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, FOR RAISING THAT POINT. I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS -- AND YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS IS A GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT. WE'VE GOT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY DOWNTOWN, IF WE GET THIS RIGHT. YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TALKED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL REPUTATIONAL HARM IF WE DON'T ADHERE TO THE TERM SHEET, THE NON-BINDING TERM SHEET, WHICH WE ALL DESCRIBED IT AS WE WERE VOTING ON IT.

I THINK THE OTHER REPUTATIONAL HARM THAT I'M AS CONCERNED ABOUT IS IF WE DON'T DO THINGS WITH SUFFICIENT DUE DILIGENCE, IS BEING THE THIRD POOREST CITY IN THE COUNTRY AND CONTINUING TO EXACERBATE SOME OF THOSE INEQUITIES.

AT THIS POINT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE TRUST THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DELAY THIS VOTE UNTIL WE HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO HAS IDENTIFIED AND THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S STILL SUFFICIENT TIME TO MEET THIS JANUARY 26 DEADLINE.

[02:05:02]

SO THE MOTION IS TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO JANUARY 22. IS THERE A SECOND?

>>

>> CASTILLO: BEN, WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE THAT LIST OF THOSE NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US AT THIS MOMENT? >> GORZELL: COUNCILWOMAN, YOU ARE REFERRING TO A LIST OF THE HOMELESS PROVIDERS THAT --

>> CASTILLO: YES. I HAD REQUESTED DOCUMENTS -- AND JOE FRANK PROVIDED THEM TO ME IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE TRANSACTION OF THIS PROPERTY. AND WITHIN THOSE DOCUMENTS THERE WAS A LETTER IN RESPONSE TO MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, WITHIN THE LETTER THAT IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SAN ANTONIO HOMELESS PROVIDERS DID NOT FIND THIS PROPERTY FIT.

I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE. WHO ARE THOSE LIST OF NONPROFIT PROVIDERS THAT EXPRESSED THAT THIS PROPERTY WASN'T FIT FOR AFFORDABLE

HOUSING. >> GORZELL: COUNCILWOMAN, I DO NOT KNOW WHICH HOMELESS PROVIDERS THAT LETTER YOU MAY BE REFERRING TO. WHAT I KNOW IS THAT AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROCESS IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO DISPOSE PROPERTY, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES POSTS A SCREENING FOR HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND TO BEFORE THEY MOVE FORWARD WITH ANY DISPOSITION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS HHS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DID THAT. NO ONE RESPONDED TO THAT SO THAT'S WHY THEY MOVED INTO THE NEGOTIATED SALE PROCESS. BUT IT'S A FEDERAL PROCESS THAT THEY GO THROUGH.

>> CASTILLO: YES, I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. MY QUESTION WAS IF YOU ALL HAD THE LIST OF THE NONPROFIT PROVIDERS THAT EXPRESSED THIS WAS NOT FIT

FOR HOMELESS SERVICES AND/OR HOUSING. >> GORZELL: I DO NOT HAVE

THAT LIST, NO, MA'AM. >> SEGOVIA: IF I MAY, COUNCILWOMAN, WE CAN ASK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE LIST BECAUSE THE LIST -- THE COMMUNICATIONS WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SO WE CAN ASK THEM WHO

SUBMITTED A LETTER. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN KAUR.

>> KAUR: JUST FOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY.

MAYBE YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS. BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WAS JUST SOME CONFUSION. SO I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL TO KNOW. I THINK YOU GUYS DID A LITTLE BIT OF DILIGENCE ON THIS. I FELT LIKE I JUST HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION. WAS THE RFP SENT OUT AND NO ONE RESPONDED OR DID PEOPLE RESPOND SAYING, NO, THIS IS NOT FIT. IF YOU JUST WALK US THROUGH MAYBE THE WHOLE PROCESS FOR THE FEDERAL BUILDING AND THAT WAY WE CAN ALL BE ON

THE SAME PAGE. IS THAT OKAY, MAYOR? >> GORZELL: SURE.

I WILL WALK THROUGH AT A HIGH LEVEL. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY, THEY WILL ASK THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROPERTY MAY BE FEASIBLE FOR HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO UTILIZE.

HHS MADE A DETERMINATION THAT THE PROPERTY COULD BE SUITABLE FOR THAT.

THEY POSTED A SCREENING ASKING FOR HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND TO THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS NONE DID.

AND THEN THEY MOVED TO THE NEXT PHASE, WHICH WOULD BE THEN THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION DOING A NEGOTIATED SALE. THEY POSTED THAT LAST -- MID LAST YEAR. THAT'S WHAT THE CITY RESPONDED TO AND SAID WE'RE INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING THIS PROPERTY AS A PUBLIC ENTITY AND HAS BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH GSA ABOUT SUBMISSION OF AN OFFER TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE CULMINATION OF ALL THOSE CONVERSATIONS IS WHAT'S IN

THE OFFER, THE FOUR-YEAR CONSIDERATION TODAY. >> WALSH: ONE OTHER -- LET ME ADD ONE PIECE IN THERE. SO AS HHS WAS GOING THROUGH THAT AND FOUND THAT THE PROPERTY WAS UNSUITABLE, THERE WAS AN APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO THEY WENT THROUGH THE HHS WITH THAT DETERMINATION. WE DO NOT KNOW WHO THAT APPEAL WAS SO THEY WENT BACK THROUGH THAT PROCESS BEFORE THEY RELEASED IT TO GSA.

AND AS ANDY STATED, WE CAN ASK WHO MADE THAT APPEAL BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING THEY REGISTERED WITH HHS. AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE CONFUSION ABOUT THE LETTER THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN IS TALKING ABOUT. BECAUSE IT'S INVOLVING

[02:10:07]

>> KAUR: AND SO THEY DID THEN? >> WALSH: YES, MA'AM.

>> KAUR: THAT WAS THE PART THAT I WAS MISSING IN THE TIMELINE.

BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND THE LETTER SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT WE HAD DISCUSSED. AND THEN WE WENT BACK AND SAID PEOPLE SHOULD BE

ALLOWED TO SUBMIT RESPONSES. >> WALSH: HHS RECONSIDERED THAT, MADE THE

DETERMINATION, THEN MOVED IT BACK OVER TO GSA. >> KAUR: SO THEY CONSIDERED THAT OKAY, YES, THIS IS SUITABLE AND THEN THEY OPENED IT FOR AN RFP?

>> WALSH: SO ULTIMATELY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID ADVERTISE THROUGH HHS, THROUGH THAT OTHER PROCESS BEN DESCRIBED, AND RECEIVED NO ENTITY APPLIED FOR THE

USE OF THE PROPERTY. >> KAUR: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. I THINK THAT HELPS. DOES THAT? IN ATTEMPTS TO SUMMARIZE, INITIALLY THERE WAS NO -- THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT IT WASN'T SUITABLE SO THERE WAS NO OPEN RFP. THERE WAS AN APPEAL AND THEN THERE WAS AN RFP SENT OUT. NO ONE RESPONDED AND THAT'S WHEN WE'RE SUBMITTING OUR

OFFER. IS THAT THE RIGHT SUMMARY? >> GORZELL: YES.

>> KAUR: THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, DOES

THAT ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS? >> CASTILLO: THE POINT THAT I RAISED DURING DEBATE WAS TO BRING MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ALONG IN TERMS OF Y'ALL'S COMMITMENT TO IDENTIFYING FUNDING SOURCES TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THIS PROJECT COMES TO FRUITION THAT THERE IS AFFORDABILITY WITHIN THIS MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT.

>> MAYOR JONES: GOT IT. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO CONVEYED THAT SHE'LL WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE STAFF ON THAT CONCERN.

HAVE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE SPOKEN?

WOULD YOU LIKE -- COUNCILMAN WHYTE, GO AHEAD. >> WHYTE: POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THERE WAS NO SECOND ON THE MOTION TO CONTINUE, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> MAYOR JONES: THAT'S CORRECT. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO IS

GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE DIRECTLY WITH THE STAFF. >> WHYTE: THANKS.

>> MAYOR JONES: BEN, A COUPLE OF CLARIFYING POINTS. COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ ASKED ABOUT CONFIRMING THE ROLE THAT THIS BODY COULD PLAY IN WHATEVER THE FACILITY, AT THAT POINT OWNED BY THE SPURS BUT ON OUR LAND WOULD HAVE ON IT.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY WHAT SOME OF THOSE RIGHTS MAY BE WHEN IT COMES TO INPUT?

>> GORZELL: TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL OF THOSE YESTERDAY. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT IN PLACE IF THE PROJECT IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO NEGOTIATE THOSE. >> MAYOR JONES: SURE.

I THINK JUST TO THE POINT THAT HE RAISED, THOUGH, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET AT LEAST A FLAVOR OF SOME OF THE THINGS. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO EXPECT BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?

>> GORZELL: IN TERMS OF? >> MAYOR JONES: INPUT ON THE DEVELOPMENT ON THAT

PIECE OF LAND. >> GORZELL: I THINK AS WE TALKED ABOUT YESTERDAY, AS WE GET READY TO START TO NEGOTIATE DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS, WE WILL BRIEF YOU ALL IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO GET INPUT ON SOME OF THOSE AREAS.

CERTAINLY HEARD SOME OF YOUR FEEDBACK. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE TERM SHEET ENCAPSULATES TODAY, WHAT IT'S BASED ON IN TERMS OF MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT, THE ASSUMPTIONS IT MAKES. THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CONTINUE TO GET FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL ON AND GO AND NEGOTIATE DOCUMENTS.

>> MAYOR JONES: FINALLY, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT HAPPENS IF GSA DOESN'T ACCEPT THE

OFFER? >> GORZELL: SO IF GSA REJECTS OUR OFFER, AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THE EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT SHOULD BE RETURNED.

WE WOULD RETURN THAT BACK TO THE SPURS AND IT WILL BE UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR GSA IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY DECIDE TO DO WITH THAT PROPERTY.

>> MAYOR JONES: IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF IT THOUGH, AND BASED HERE ON THE INTEREST IN ENSURING WE PROTECT AND HAVE AS MUCH DOWNTOWN PROPERTY AS POSSIBLE, IF THAT OFFER WAS REJECTED, WOULD WE POTENTIALLY MAKE ANOTHER

OFFER? >> GORZELL: IT WOULD DEPEND ON WHERE THE GSA IS.

[02:15:02]

I CAN'T SIT HERE AND GUARANTEE YOU THAT THEY WILL ACCEPT IT BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK AND CONVERSATION TO GET TO THIS POINT. THEY ALSO WERE VERY MUCH ENCOURAGING US TO SUBMIT THE OFFER QUICKLY. INITIALLY WANTED TO DO IT IN DECEMBER. WE ASKED FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME SO WE COULD COMPLETE SOME OF OUR DUE DILIGENCE. THEY GAVE US A DATE OF JANUARY 26. THEY SEEM TO BE VERY MOTIVATED TO MOVE THIS

PROPERTY QUICKLY. >> WALSH: IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN THAT POSITION, I THINK THAT'S A BIGGER CONVERSATION THAT WE WOULD NEED TO COME BACK AND TALK

TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT. >> MAYOR JONES: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM 6.

PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION PASSES. THE NEXT ITEM IS THE CITY

[City Manager's Report  ]

MANAGER'S REPORT. ERIK, OVER TO YOU. >> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO TODAY'S VIDEO IS SPOTLIGHTING AN EMPLOYEE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW. JENNIFER FRAGA WITH THE DOWNTOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. THEY HIGHLIGHT HER WORK AROUND THE MARATHON IN DECEMBER BUT JENNIFER HAS WORKED FOR THE CITY ABOUT 15 YEARS AND HOLDS A UNIQUE POSITION WITHIN THE CITY BECAUSE SHE IS OUR OPERATIONAL TIP OF THE SPEAR FOR ALL THINGS DOWNTOWN. PARADES, MARATHONS, FESTIVALS, AND EVEN ORGANIZED PROTESTS. JENNIFER IS THE ONE THAT COORDINATES WITH ALL OF THE OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENTS. SHE DOES A FANTASTIC JOB AND WE NEED AN ARMY OF HER.

BUT LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO AND SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK SHE DID WITH THE MARATHON THIS YEAR.

ONE! >> PLANNING FOR THIS MARATHON STARTED A YEAR AGO.

CITY LEADERSHIP WANTED A MORE LOCALLY-PRODUCED MARATHON SO THE RESIDENTS CAN OWN IT AND BE PROUD OF IT. I THINK THE CORE VALUES OF CCDO WOULD BE INNOVATION. WORKING WITH SAN ANTONIO SPORTS TO ESTABLISH A 26-MILE COURSE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE CITY'S BRIGHTEST GEMS IS DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE. WE HAD TO THINK OF INNOVATIVE WAYS TO FRESHEN UP THIS COURSE TO HIGHLIGHT THE BEST OF SAN ANTONIO. IT TAKES A LOT OF CITY DEPARTMENTS, POLICE, FIRE, SOLID WASTE, PARKS AND REC. AND SO ALL OF THEM PROVIDE SOME SORT OF EXTERNAL SERVICE, WHETHER IT'S TRAFFIC CONTROL, EMS SERVICES, SOLID WASTE HELPS US CLEAN UP THE ROUTE. IT REALLY IS A TEAM EFFORT.

AS SOON AS I HAVE SOME PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, WE DISSEMINATE THAT INFORMATION SO THEY CAN START PREPARING THEIR CREWS AND THEIR TEAMS AND KIND OF WORK IN SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO DO, WORK THAT INTO THE REGULAR OPERATING SCHEDULE. IF IT DOESN'T PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEIR TEAMS TO RESPOND TO A REQUEST THEY DON'T KNOW IS COMING. I HAVE A PASSION FOR EVENTS, FOR GATHERINGS. IT WAS THE PERFECT JOB AND IT'S A VERY UNIQUE POSITION WITHIN THE CITY. IT'S PROBABLY THE ONE AND ONLY SO I THINK I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION.

>> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.

WE ALSO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY TO CELEBRATE. COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN IS TURNING 21. CONGRATS. [APPLAUSE] HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. THANK YOU.

ANDY, CONFIRMING EXECUTIVE SESSION. OKAY.

I WOULD ASK MY COMPLETION TO REMAIN SEATED UNTIL I READ THE CAVEATS.

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

[02:20:05]

>> MAYOR JONES: THE TIME IS 1:39 P.M. ON JANUARY 15, 2026.

THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL WILL NOW RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION.

NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE TIME IS NOW 1:40 AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.