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>> VIAGRAN: THE TIME IS NOW 10:00 A.M. ON MAY 4TH, 2026, AND THE MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, CAN CREW CALL THE ROLL?
>> CLERK: ALLOWING THE MEMBER SPEAKERS TWO ROUNDS OF COMMENTS PER ITEM WITH THREE MINUTES IN FIRST ROUND AND THREE MINTS THE SECOND ROUND.
IF Y'ALL WANT TO TAKE YOUR SIX MINUTES JUST STRAIGHT BECAUSE YOU HAVE ONLY THAT MANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN. IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE OTHER MEMBERS, WE CAN DO THAT, TOO. ITEM NUMBER ONE, FIRST ITEM ON THE A AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? CAN I GET A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. (AYES.)
>> VIAGRAN: ALL OPPOSED, SAY NO. MOTION CARRIES.
MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK?
>> CLERK: NO, CHAIR. >> VIAGRAN: ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 2. ITEM 2 IS THE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANTS TO THE READY TO WORK ADVISORY BOARD. CAN WE GET A STAFF
PRESENTATION. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M JAMIE NIETO, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK.
THE READY TO WORK ADVISORY BOARD ADVISES THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ON AN IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS, TRAINING AND LOCAL EMPLOYER NEEDS.
ALLOTMENT OF WORKFORCE PROGRAMS FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND CLIENT SUPPORT.
THE BOARD IS COMPOSED OF 13 MEMBERS REPRESENTING LOCAL EMPLOYERS, CITY WORKFORCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, TRADE LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, TRAINING PROVIDERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.
AND TWO LIAISONS APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR. EACH MEMBER SERVES A FOUR-YEAR TERM. ON DECEMBER 11TH, 2025, CITY COUNCIL APPROVED AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NEW BOARD SEAT DESIGNATED TO REPRESENT AN ORGANIZATION SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS.
THE OFFICE OF CITY CLERK OPENED APPLICATIONS FOR THE LABOR TRADE SEAT ON MARCH 21ST, 2025, WHICH WAS 90 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIR RAITIONZ OF THE CURRENT TERM. THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK OPENED APPLICATIONS ON DECEMBER 12TH, 2025 FOR AN ORGANIZATION SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS. THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT RELEASED A WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING ON JULY 29TH AND SEPTEMBER 16TH FOR THE TRADE AND LABOR SEAT, AND ON FEBRUARY 24TH FOR THE ORGANIZATION SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIER SEAT.
BY CLOSING DATE OF APRIL 2ND, 2026, WE HAVE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 15 APPLICATIONS. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE VETTED 15 APPLICATIONS AND 12 WERE ELIGIBLE. AN AD HOC COMMITTEE WAS FORMED BY THE CHAIR, AND THAT INCLUDED DISTRICT FIVE AND DISTRICT EIGHT COUNCILMEMBERS. THE AD HOC COMMITTEE REVIEWED ALL 12 APPLICATIONS AND SHORT-LISTED TO SIX APPLICATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL INTERVIEW THOSE APPLICANTS TODAY.
AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.
CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON THE FULL BOARD APPOINTMENTS DURING AN A SESSION. AFTER THE VOTE, THE CITY CLERK WILL NOTIFY THE APPOINTED INDIVIDUALS AND ASK THEM TO COMPLETE THE PROPER FORMS. ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE AND INVITING THEM TO COMPLETE THE MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE TRAINING. ONCE THESE STEPS ARE COMPLETED, THEY CAN BE SEATED ON THE BOARD. ON THIS SLIDE, YOU WILL FIND THE LIST OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE SHORT LIST FOR THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE INFORMATION LISTED ON THE SLIDE.
MARTY GARZA IS NOT HERE TODAY AND DID NOT PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT.
MAYA LEVY WITHDREW HER APPLICATION. THE PROCESS TODAY WILL BEGIN WITH EACH APPLICANT PROVIDING A TWO-MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT.
ALL CANDIDATES WILL BE SEQUESTERED DURING THE INTERVIEWS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO EACH OTHER'S ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS.
THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE WILL INTERVIEW ALL APPLICANTS, THEN MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DELIBERATE. NO FORMAL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. AFTERWARD THE COMMITTEE WILL RECONVENE AND A COMMITTEE MEMBER WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR RECOMMENDATION TO FORWARD TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL FOR APPOINTMENT THIS
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CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. OKAY.
WELL, WITH THAT, I GUESS WE WILL START WITH THE INTERVIEWS AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE APPLICANTS FOR YOUR INTEREST ON WANTING TO SERVE ON THE READY TO WORK ADVISORY BOARD. EACH APPLICANT WILL HAVE A TWO MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT AND THE COMMITTEE WILL ASK QUESTIONS. I'M ASKING ALL EXCEPT THE FIRST APPLICANT TO LEAVE THE ROOM AND THAT FIRST APPLICANT WOULD BE MIKE PEÑA, IF YOU COULD STAY.
AND THEN COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I REMIND YOU THAT IF YOU ASK THE QUESTION, TRY AND ASK IT OF ALL THOSE THAT WE'RE INTERVIEWING FOR THIS SPECIFIC CATEGORY. ALL RIGHT. HAVE WE REMOVED ALL THE OTHER APPLICANTS? ALL RIGHT. MR. MIKE PEÑA, THE FLOOR
IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL PEÑA, AND I'M A 16-YEAR MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE BER NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 60 HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, MY HOMETOWN. NOW, IT'S CUSTOMARY FOR OUR MEMBERS TO INCLUDE THEIR UNION CARD NUMBER UPON INTRODUCING THEMSELVES TO EACH OTHER AND WHEN ADDRESSING THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF OUR MEETINGS. MY TICKET NUMBER IS 006787.
I CURRENTLY SERVE ON NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE ON TWO SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND I'M THE CURRENT -- WITH THE SOUTH TEXAS JOINT APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING COMMITTEE WHERE I'M NOW CURRENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PERFORMING INTERVIEWS FOR POTENTIAL CANDIDATES. THAT SPAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO CALIFORNIA. I'VE STOOD ON THE P LINES AND MARCHED WITH MEMBERS OF UNITE HERE LOCAL TWO DURING THE MARRIOTT STRIKES.
I'VE ATTENDED SEVERAL IBW CONFERENCES FOR EDUCATION AND NETWORKING PURPOSES.
I'M SEEKING A POSITION ON THE READY TO WORK ADVISORY BOARD BECAUSE I HAVE A COMMITMENT TO LABOR BEING ORGANIZED OR NOT ORGANIZING, THROUGHOUT MY TRAVELS FROM COAST TO COAST, I'VE HAD CONVERSATION WITH MEMBERS FROM EVERY INDUSTRY AND, YOU KNOW, THE DESPERATE NEED TO EXPAND THE WORKFORCE ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES, HIGHER WAGES AND STABILITY SEEMS TO BE THE SAME, REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU WIND UP AT. I WAS A MEMBER AND CHAPTER PERIOD OF EWC, EVEN THOUGH OUR STATED GOALS ARE MANY, I PLAN TO TAKE THAT ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES, NOT JUST IBW AND ELECTRICAL.
I TAKE THAT GOAL TO HEART, AND THAT SAID, I BELIEVE MY LIVED EXPERIENCES BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GIVE ME AN INSIGHT INTO EXACTLY WHAT THE READY TO WORK PROGRAM IS ATTEMPTING TO ACHIEVE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
YOUR LINE OF QUESTIONS. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL LET COMMITTEE MEMBERS SPEARS AND GALVAN START WITH QUESTIONS, JUST BECAUSE COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ AND COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO SAT ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE. COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BEGIN
WITH THE QUESTIONING. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTRODUCTION TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. FIRST AND FOREMOST, BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT WORKFORCE NEEDS OR SKILL GAPS ARE MOST PRESSING
FOR THE WORKERS YOU REPRESENT. >> I'M SORRY, ONE MORE
TIME. >> GALVAN: BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT WORKFORCE NEEDS OR SKILL GAPS ARE PRESENT FOR THE WORKERS THAT YOU
REPRESENT? >> IS FOR ME I WOULD BASED ON TRYING TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. WHAT WE'VE NOTICED IS A GLARING LACK OF ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
YOU KNOW, I HAPPEN TO WORK AT THE -- EVERYBODY AND SO LIKE I SAID, THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE BEEN HAVING ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AND UNIVERSAL, MOVING FORWARD WITH THE WORK OUTLOOK FOR
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE ARE WILDLY UNDERSTAFFED. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS?
>> SPEARS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. HOW DOES YOUR OCCUPATION ALIGN WITH THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS BOARD?
>> I WOULD SAY THAT, AGAIN, IT'S ALL GOING TO FALL BACK ON BEING A UNION MEMBER. BEING THAT I'VE BEEN IN THE ELECTRICAL ENTRY FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS, I'VE DONE EVERYTHING FROM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY SPENDING THE FIVE YEARS IN MY APPRENTICESHIP, ONE YEAR AS ALMOST LIKE HAN INTERN, I GUESS, BECAUSE WE WERE -- I WAS UNINDENNURED, AND THEN THE NEXT, WHAT IS THAT, FIVE OR 10 YEARS AS EVERYTHING FROM A JOURNEYMAN IN THE FIELD, BOTH HERE IN TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS A FOREMAN AND A GENERAL FOR MAN. FOREMAN.
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SO I'VE SEEN THE NEEDS BASICALLY ACROSS THE BOARD FOR JUST ABOUTEVERYTHING. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO?
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU, MICHAEL FOR YOUR INTEREST IN SERVING THE CIT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I HAVE ONE, RIGHT, ATTENDANCE IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF INSURING THAT LABOR'S VOICE IS PRESENT IN THE READY TO WORK CONVERSATION. FIRST QUESTION, DO YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ATTEND THE SET READY TO WORK MEETINGS TO PARTICIPATE, ENGAGE AND REPRESENT LABOR, AND ALSO MY SECOND QUESTION IS WHAT DAYS DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU COULD FORWARD STRONGER RELATIONSHIP BEYOND ABW TO ENSURE THEY'RE IN THE CONVERSATION. .
>> ABSOLUTELY. WHAT IS IT, EVERY THIRD THURSDAY BETWEEN 1:00 AND 3:00. THE CURRENT POSITION I HOLD AFFORDS ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF TAKE TIME ASIDE FOR OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS.
THAT'S WHY I'M ABLE TO MAKE MY EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS EVERY OTHER MONDAY AND OF COURSE, MY UNION MEETINGS, WHAT IS IT, SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, SO IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. IN TERMS OF TRYING TO EXPAND BEYOND JUST THE IBW ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY, I'VE PARTICIPATED IN KIND OF A CONGLOMERATE, TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER IDEAS FOR CLIMATE CARE ACROSS NOT JUST UNION INDUSTRIES BUT ALL INDUSTRIES, THE CARPENTERS WERE THERE, THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL UNIONS AND SO I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT MY TRAVELS, THROUGHOUT MY TIME HERE IN SAN ANTONIO ON VARIOUS GROUPS AND BOARDS AND WHATNOT, THAT I'VE KIND OF SPREAD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AROUND AND CONTINUE TO PLAN ON WORKING ON THAT.
THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN MEZA
GONZALEZ? >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING AND BEING HERE TODAY. IN-DEMAND CAREERS ARE CONSTANTLY SHIFTING.
WHAT EXPERIENCES WILL KEEP YOU ABREAST OF THOSE CHANGING DYNAMICS?
>> SO ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE CONFERENCES THAT I'VE BEEN TO, MOST RECENT ONE, OF COURSE, IS TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGING INDUSTRY, OBVIOUSLY IN PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, WITH THE IBW, BUT OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO KEEP ABREAST OF ALL THAT WHEN IT COMES TO JUST ABOUT EVERY INDUSTRY, YOU KNOW, THINGS ARE CHANGING WITH THE IMPACT OF AI AND WHATNOT, WHICH I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT JUST YET, BUT, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING'S CONSTANTLY CHANGING IN TERMS OF EDUCATION, APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRYING TO REFOCUS OUR CURRICULUM IN ORDER TO KEEP US RELATIVE IS ALWAYS VERY IMPORTANT TO US, AND SO I PLAN TO TRY AND, YOU KNOW, PROMOTE THAT THROUGHOUT ALL INDUSTRIES.
>> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MIKE.
I JUST -- I THINK ALL MY QUESTIONS WERE ASKED BY MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND ESPECIALLY THE ONE ON THE ATTENDANCE, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS.
I THINK WE'LL HAVE YOU STEP OUT AND WE'LL BRING IN THE NEXT PERSON.
SO THANK YOU. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THANK YOU. SWRIEGZ ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP WE ARE MOVING TO THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVING PERSONS TO HIGH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT.
WE HAVE ONE SEAT AVAILABLE AND THE FIRST MEMBER IS BARBARA JEAN ACOSTA. BARBARA JEAN, THEY'LL HELP YOU LOWER IT, AND YOU'LL HAVE --
AND ASK YOU QUESTIONS. >> OKAY. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS BARBARA ACOSTA AND I'M WITH [INDISCERNIBLE] STREET MENTORING WHERE WE WORK FRONT LINES WITH YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IMPACTED DIRECTLY WITH INCARCERATION. OUR MISSION IS TO GUIDE, MENTOR AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO OFTEN FEEL OVERLOOKED.
HELPING THEM WITH PURPOSE AND A POSITIVE DIRECTION IN LIFE.
THROUGH THIS WORK, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD REAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES AND I'VE SEEN THE STRUGGLE WITH MANY FAMILIES FACING LACK OF ACCESS TO STRUGGLES -- I'M SORRY, I'VE SEEN MANY STRUGGLES WITH FAMILIES THAT FACE LACK OF ACCESS TO RESOURCES, LIMITED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND CYCLES THAT ARE HARD TO BREAK.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'VE SEEN THE RESILIENCE, THE TALENT AND THE POTENTIAL THAT EXISTS WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT AND SOMEONE WHO GENUINELY BELIEVES IN THEM. MY BACKGROUND ALSO INCLUDES BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, WHICH HAS GIVEN ME THE PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING WORKING FAMILIES AND ENTREPRENEURS. I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD SOMETHING FROM THE
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GROUND UP, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE IMPORTANCE FROM -- OF CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOW OUR COMMUNITY TO GROW AND THRIVE.I AM SEEKING APPOINTMENT WITH YOU ALL HERE AT THE CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE I WANT TO BUILD THE BRIDGES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND HERE.
TOO OFTEN THERE'S A DISCONNECT BETWEEN DECISION-MAKERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THESE DECISIONS, AND I WANT TO BRING REAL VOICES TO THE TABLE, VOICES ROOTED IN LIFE EXPERIENCE AND ADVOCATE FOR SOLUTIONS THAT FOCUS ON PREVENTION, ACCESS AND LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES.
MY PRIORITIES INCLUDE STRENGTHENING THE YOUTH PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING REENTRY INITIATIVES, PROMOTING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND BUILDING A
SAFER, MORE UNIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD. >> VIAGRAN: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, BARBARA. WE'LL HAVE THE MEMBERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS ASK QUESTIONS. WE'LL START WITH COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS?
>> SPEARS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR COMING AND FOR BEING HERE. HOW DOES YOUR OCCUPATION ALIGN WITH THE GOALS -- I'M SORRY, WRONG ONE. I'M SORRY. IN THIS POSITION, HOW WILL YOU APPLY YOUR EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS? >> WELL, WE'RE ABLE TO RELATE TO THEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF MENTORS ON -- IN OUR ORGANIZATION THAT ARE ABLE TO RELATE TO THEM THROUGH LIVED EXPERIENCES, SO WE'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH AND BE ABLE TO PUT THAT
OUT -- YOU KNOW, HOWEVER WE'RE ABLE TO HELP THEM. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN GALVAN? >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTRODUCTION TODAY, THANK YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE READY TO WORK BOARD. HOW DO YOU SEE READY TO WORK ADDRESSING SUCH BARRIERS THAT YOU SEE IN YOUR WORK FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH BARRIERS, AND THEN WHAT EXTERNAL NEEDS ARE THERE THAT THE CITY CAN WORK ON OR OTHER BRAMES THAT CURRENTLY WORK ON -- PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY WORK ON, WHAT NEEDS ARE THERE TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THOSE SAME
NEEDS? >> I THINK BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE INCENTIVES FOR THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE REALLY SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES, BECAUSE A LOT OF EMPLOYERS SAY SECOND CHANCE, BUT THEY STILL HAVE THAT BARRIERS AND IT GIVES PEOPLE WHO ARE FORMERLY INCARCERATED THAT DISCOURAGEMENT, AND THEN THEY GO BACK TO MAYBE THEIR OLD WAYS OR WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO DO TO SURVIVE IN HERE, SO BEING ABLE TO HAVE MORE
EMPLOYERS GIVE PEOPLE THE REAL SECOND CHANCES. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> VIAGRAN: ALL RIGHT. COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ? NO QUESTIONS? COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO?
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR, THANK YOU, BARBARA, AND
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW BABY. >> THANK YOU.
>> CASTILLO: MY QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS TWO-PART. ONE, ATTENDANCE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TOEN SHER THAT THE HIGH BARRIER POPULATION IS REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEE. SO, ONE, WOULD YOU HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO ATTEND THE ASSIGNED MEETINGS, AND AS WELL, WHAT CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT AS SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS FACED BY THE POPULATIONS YOU SERVE?
>> YES, I CAN DEFINITELY ATTEND. THANK YOU.
AND SO I WOULD SAY THE SECOND QUESTION -- CAN YOU REPEAT IT AGAIN?
SORRY. >> CASTILLO: WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS FACED BY THE POPULATIONS YOU SERVE?
>> BEING ABLE TO FIND THE -- BEING ABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM.
SO WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME OUT OF PRISON OR JUVENILES AND THEY ASK FOR RESOURCES. SO, OF COURSE, WE GIVE THEM THAT RESOURCE, BUT NOT -- THEY DON'T GET THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE BACKGROUNDS OR, YOU KNOW -- THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.
SO JUST BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT OR HELP HOWEVER WE CAN, EVEN IF IT'S US GOING -- OR ME PERSONALLY GOING TO THE EMPLOYERS TO SPEAK TO THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THAT UNDERSTANDING SO
THAT THEY DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, BARBARA.
I THINK YOU ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS. AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
JUST TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE WITH US TODAY. >> YES.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> VIAGRAN: THANKS.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP IS PATRICIA CANTU. >> PATRICIA, YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR INTRODUCTION, AND THEN THE MEMBERS WILL ASK
QUESTIONS. >> SOUNDS GREAT. >> VIAGRAN: THE FLOOR IS
YOURS. >> OKAY. WELL, GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW.
AS YOU KNOW, MY NAME IS PATRICIA CANTU. I HAVE OVER 20 YEARS OF
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EXPERIENCE IN TALENT ACQUISITION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING LEADING RECRUITING INITIATIVES ACROSS CORPORATE AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. I FOUNDED GREAT OPPORTUNITIES BACK IN 2009, AND I WAS A CONTRACTOR WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTED AND REHAB SERVICES. OUR ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON HELPING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OBTAIN SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT IN OUR WONDERFUL SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, I RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN THE UTSA-PACED HRCI CERTIFICATION COURSE TO FURTHER MY STRENGTH, MY KNOWLEDGE OF HR PRACTICES AND EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS.I'M A PARTICIPANT IN THE SAN ANTONIO READY TO WORK PROGRAM, WHICH GAVE ME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON BOTH THE STRENGTHS OF THE PROGRAM AND THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE ITS IMPACT. I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW THE READY TO WORK CREATES AN ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND CAREER PATHWAYS.
BUT I'VE ALSO IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE TRAINING AND THE EMPLOYER HIRING NEEDS.
DEFINITELY IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE NAVIGATION TO ENSURE STRONG OUTCOMES AND PLACEMENT IN WAGE PROGRESSION. I'M SEEKING AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE I BRING THE COMBINATION OF THE EMPLOYER INSIGHT, THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE, AND LIVED THE PARTICIPATION PERSPECTIVE.
IT ALLITIT WILL ALLOW ME TO CONTRIBUTE IN A WAY THAT SUPPORTS
ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL START WITH QUESTIONS.
WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMAN GALVAN? >> GALVAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PATRICIA, FOR APPLYING TODAY AND FOR BEING HERE.
TWO-PARTED QUESTION, HOW DO YOU SEE READY TO WORK CAN BETTER ADDRESS THE NEEDS FOR PERSONS WITH HIGH BARRIERS AND WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OR SERVICES ARE NEEDED BEYOND READY TO WORK TO ADDRESS THOSE SAME GROUP
OF PEOPLE WITH HIGH BARRIERS? >> I THINK REALLY WHEN WE'RE ASSIGNED A COACH, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL TO CONNECT WITH THE PERSON THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH.
I DON'T THINK AN E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE IS THE WAY TO GET THROUGH IN MAKING THAT INTERPERSONAL CONNECTION. IN'S NO INTERPERSONAL CONNECTION WHEN YOU'RE ONLY COMMUNICATING BY E-MAIL.
I THINK AT THE BEGINNING WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM, I THINK AT THE END, WE DID AN INFORMATION SESSION, I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING AN ORIENTATION AT THE BEGINNING.
THERE WAS A LOT OF SERVICES THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT YOU PROVIDE, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IF WE HAD AN ORIENTATION AND OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT, ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PERSON THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH DURING THIS PROCESS, BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATE, THEY'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT OTHER AREAS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO NEED. THEY'RE GOING TO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH DAY CARE, DO THEY HAVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, WHAT ARE THE OTHER AVENUES DO I NEED TO HELP THIS INDIVIDUAL IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
BUT IF YOU'RE ONLY COMMUNICATING BY E-MAIL AND IT'S ONLY GIVING YOU INSTRUCTIONS, THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM? >> GALVAN: THANK YOU.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS? >> SPEARS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
IN THIS POSITION, HOW WILL YOU APPLY YOUR EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS?
>> WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FOR 20 YEARS, THAT GAVE ME A HUGE INSIGHT. WE DID INTAKE SESSIONS, WE LOOKED AT ALL THE ASPECTS OF WHAT ARE THE PREVENT THIS INDIVIDUAL FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL.
AS I MENTIONED, DAY CARE, FINANCIAL STRESS, DO THEY HAVE THE PROPER CLOTHES FOR AN INTERVIEW? YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE MY CANDIDATE SHOWING UP IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROPER INTERVIEW CLOTHES.
SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO HELP THAT INDIVIDUAL BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT IF WE'RE NOT AWARE AND WE'RE NOT SITTING DOWN TO DO AN INTAKE WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL, THEN HOW ARE WE GOING TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL? IT'S GREAT WE'RE GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILL, BUT THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN BY JUST ENHANCING YOUR SKILL. YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED
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FOR THE WORKFORCE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THOSE OTHER BARRIERS, THEY CAN OVERCOME. WE CAN PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MEANS TO HELPTHEM BE SUCCESSFUL. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO?
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR, THANK YOU, PATRICIA FOR YOUR INTEREST IN SERVING ON THIS COMMITTEE. FIRST QUESTION, WOULD YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ATTEND THE ASSIGNED MEETINGS? AND SECONDLY, CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS FACED BY THE POPULATION YOU SERVE?
>> MY MOST CHALLENGING POPULATION WAS MY CLIENTS WHO ARE DEAF.
EMPLOYERS CAN'T SEE PAST THE DEAFNESS. THEY HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE, AND I'VE HAD TO EDUCATE THEM.
THERE'S TEXTING, THERE'S E-MAIL, THERE'S PEN AND PAPER, BUT THEY ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING POPULATION THAT EMPLOYERS CANNOT SEE PAST AS FAR AS HIRING. THEY'RE THINKING OF SAFETY, WHAT IF THEY GET HURT? I CAN GET SUED. I HAVE TO EDUCATE THEM.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY DRIVE, AND THEY ARE THE MOST OBSERVANT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO USE THEIR EYES AS THEIR EARS.
BUT, YEAH, IT IS VERY CHALLENGING -- IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING.
BUT THEN WHEN I DID HAVE SOME EMPLOYERS, THEY WERE JUST LIKE, OH, MY GOD, THEY'RE LIKE THE BEST WORKER. WHERE CAN I HIRE MORE
PEOPLE THAT ARE DEAF? >> VIAGRAN: COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THINK THE ONE THING THE ATTENDANCE QUESTION, JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN
ISSUE FOR YOU GOING TO THE MEETING, IS IT? >> OH, NO.
I'M SO SORRY. NO. >> VIAGRAN: ALL RIGHT.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. WE CREATED THESE SEATS AND WE WANT THE
PARTICIPATION. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
CANDIDATE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> VIAGRAN: ANGELIQUE DE OLIVIERA, CAN YOU BRING HER IN?
>> OKAY. WE'VE GOT -- YOU'VE GOT TWO MINTS FOR AN INTRO, AND THEN THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ASK REQUEST ES.
SO THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANG LEAGUE DEOLIVIERA AND I'M HONORED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SAN ANTONIO READY TO WORK ADVISORY COMMITTEE. [INDISCERNIBLE] MY PROFESSIONAL MISSION HAS BEEN HELPING PARTICIPANTS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ASH COMEEF ECONOMIC MOBILITY. TODAY I SERVE AT [INDISCERNIBLE] AT GOODWILL INDUSTRY OF SAN ANTONIO WHERE I LEAD A TEAM OF 90 PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO OVER 3,000 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR.
I AM IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO SUPPORT THIS COMMITTEE BY BRINGING BOTH AN EMPLOYER AND A PROVIDER PERSPECTIVE. FROM THE PROVIDER SIDE, I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE BARRIERS THAT OUR RESIDENTS FACE TO COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT AND -- THEY CAN COMPLETE TRAINING TO GET TO WORK. FROM AN EMPLOYER SIDE, GOODWILL IS A LARGE NONPROFIT SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOCUSING ON INCREASING HIRING STRATEGY THAT EMPLOY OVER 1,800 TEAM MEMBER.
AS A SENIOR LEADER IN MY ORGANIZATION, I KNOW WHAT EMPLOYERS EXPERIENCE WHEN TRYING TO ATTRACT, RETAIN AND ADVANCE TALENTS. I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS READY TO WORK BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN ITS ABILITY TO TRANSFORM LIVES. I'M AN IMMIGRANT TO THIS COUNTRY, I'M ALSO A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATE THAT WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A MASTER'S DEGREE. IF IT WAS NOT FOR PROGRAM LIKE READY TO WORK, I WOULD NOT BE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY, SO THIS WORK IS PERSONAL TO TO WORK REMAINS AN INITIATIVE THAT SERVE ALL THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO
AND SUPPORT THEIR SUCCESS IN THEIR CAREER JOURNEY. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH QUESTIONS. COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS?
>> SPEARS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. IN THIS POSITION, HOW WILL YOU APPLY YOUR EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS? >> SO I WOULD USE MY
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EXPERIENCE BY BRINGING -- BY BRINGING PERSPECTIVE THAT WILL HELP BUILD A PROGRAM THAT DRIVES OUTCOME. WE KNOW THAT PARTICIPANTS FACE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, PRIMARILY SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT ARE PROVEN TO NOT SUCCEEDING ARE TRANSPORTATION.SOME OF THE BARRIERS ARE EMPLOYERS BEING WILLING TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND DISABILITIES.
THOSE ARE REAL BARRIERS THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE FACING, SO I'M EXCITED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM AND BRING ADVOCACIES TO SUPPORT AND CRITICAL THINKING TO SERVE ON THOSE ISSUES. I THINK THE PROGRAM HAS DONE VERY WELL AND CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING TO ADDRESS THE LIMITATION THAT WE SAW ALONG THE WAY WHERE PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL.
BUT THIS IS HARD WORK AND THE BRAM HAS TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE, AND I EXPERIENCE MY EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND SERVING PARTICIPANTS EVERY DAY AS WELL AS BEING AN EMPLOYER OF SECOND CHANCE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY WOULD BRING EXPERTISE THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PROGRAM CONTINUING TO
EVOLVE AND BEING SUCCESSFUL. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
COUNCILMAN GALVAN? >> GALVAN: THANK YOU FOR APPLYING TODAY AND FOR BEING HERE. HOW DO YOU SEE READY TO WORK CAN BETTER ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH HIGH BARRIERS, AND WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OR SERVICES ARE NEEDED BEYOND READY TO WORK TO ADDRESS THOSE SAME NEEDS
FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH BARRIERS? >> YES.
SO I THINK FIRST OF ALL, I THINK FOR THE READY TO WORK TO BE AN INITIATIVE THAT IS GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE OUR PURSUIT FOR HIGH OUTCOMES WITH BEING ABLE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. BY VIRTUE OF HAVING DISABILITY, HAVING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, THOSE POPULATIONS ARE HARDER TO SERVE. AND MAY LEAD TO IN SOME INSPHANSES A LOWER SUCCESS RATE IN GAINING EMPLOYMENT, SO WE HAVE, AS A COMMITTEE AND AS INITIATIVE BALANCE OF PPURSUIT OF HIGHER OUTCOME WITH NOT LEAVING BEHIND THIS COMMUNITY, I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL. TO CONTINUE TO BETTER SERVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH BARRIERS, I THINK SOMETHING THAT IS CRITICAL IS CONTINUE TO ENGAGE EMPLOYER AND TO PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORTS SO THAT THOSE EMPLOYERS, ADDING A POSITION TO PROVIDE
OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE PARTICIPANTS. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO? >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST ON SERVING ON THE READY TO WORK BOARD. TWO QUESTIONS. ONE, ATTENDANCE AND INSURING THAT THE HIGH BARRIER POPULATION VOICE IS REPRESENTED ON THIS COMMITTEE IS IMPORTANT. SO ONE, DO YOU HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO ATTEND THE ASSIGNED MEETINGS. AND SECONDLY WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT -- WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS THAT THE POPULATIONS YOU SERVE HAVE, AND YOU TOUCHED ON IT WITHIN YOUR COMMENT, BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADD
ANYTHING, PLEASE DO. >> YES. SO, YES, I'M FULLY COMMITTED AND ABLE TO ATTEND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THAT I CAN BRING THE VALUE THAT THIS COMMITTEE DESERVE.
AND SO I BELIEVE A COUPLE OF BARRIERS THAT OUR POPULATION IS FACING THAT READY TO WORK IS AFFECTING AND ADDRESSING SO WHEN WE TALK TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, THAT WE ARE SERVING, THERE IS A CLEAR EDUCATION AND TRAINING GAP, SO BEING ABLE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PARTICIPANTS HAVE TRAINED WITH THE SKILLS THAT OUR EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO HIRE IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY. AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A WHOLE LIST OF LIFE NEEDS, AS WE'VE BEEN REINTEGRATING FROM OUR COMMUNITY FROM INCARCERATION, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, RECONNECTING TO YOUR FAMILY. SO HAVING THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES IS CRITICAL.
ONE BARRIER THAT WE HAVE SEEN MORE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTING OUR PARTICIPANTS IS TRANSPORTATION. I'M SPEAKING, FOR EXAMPLE, PARTICULARLY IN WAREHOUSING, MANUFACTURING, THOSE ARE BACKGROUND-FRIENDLY INDUSTRY, THEY TEND TO HAVE THE WORK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF OUR CITY AND ARE HARD TO ACCESS. MANY OF OUR PARTICIPANTS RELY ON TRANSPORTATION, AND UNFORTUNATELY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAR, YOU ARE DEPRIVES OF MY OPPORTUNITY. SO FINDING WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT COULD BE MEANINGFUL TO INCREASE THE SUCCESS OF OUR
PARTICIPANTS. >> VIAGRAN: NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING FORWARD, SO AT THIS TIME, THE TIME IS NOW 10:35 A.M. AND THE ECONOMIC ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONCERNING ATTORNEY/CLIENT MATTERS UNDER CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
[00:35:12]
>> VIAGRAN: OKAY. THE TIME IS NOW 10:55 A.M. AND THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. AS CHAIR OF ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO APPLIED TO SERVE. YOUR WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR TIME AND EXPERTISE DEMONSTRATES TRUE COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND TO THE FUTURE OF OUR GROWTH. WHILE NOT ALL CAN BE APPOINTED, YOUR INTEREST IS DEEPLY VALUED AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND OUR COMMITTEE, AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR VARIOUS COMMITTEES IN AN UPCOMING BONDS COMMITTEES THAT WE WILL NEED HELP WITH, TOO, SO PLEASE STAY ENGAGED.
CAN I GET A MOTION AND A SECOND TO RECOMMEND APPOINTMENTS?
>> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU CHAIR I MOVE THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENT TO FULL CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE ON THE READY TO WORK BOARD THROUGH MAY 31ST, 2029.
MICHAEL PEÑA FOR THE TRADE AND LABOR CATEGORY AND BARBARA ACOSTA FOR THE ORGANIZATION SERVING PERSONS WITH HIGH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT
CATEGORY. >> VIAGRAN: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. (AYES.) (ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEM 3. IT IS -- CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. I KNOW SOME OF Y'ALL NEED TO GET BACK, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH ALL OF YOU WHO APPLIED.
THANK YOU. ITEM 3 IS A BRIEFING ON THE SUPPLY SA SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT INITIATIVE. CAN WE GET A STAFF
PRESENTATION? >> HICKS-SORENSON: GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, GOOD MORNING, COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON SUPPLY SA.
AND OUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM, THE PROCUREMENT TEAM AND ALSO READY TO WORK FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP. TODAY I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THE CURRENT PROCUREMENT LANDSCAPE IS, WHAT THE ROLE OF SUPPLIES AND WHAT WE ARE DOING, AND WHERE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIE TO FURTHER ALIGN WITH THE CITY'S PRIORITIES AND STRENGTHEN OUTCOMES. TODAY I WANT TO COVER THE SUPPLY SA PURPOSE AND STRATEGIC CONTEXT, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCUREMENT LANDSCAPE WITH SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AND GAPS ARE, OUR APPROACH AND THE MEASURABLE IMPACT THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU LATER, AND THEN SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO CONTINUE TO ALIGN AND PARTNER. I WANT TO START WITH SUPPLY SA'S GOAL, OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD LOCAL PROCUREMENT PARTNERSHIP THAT STRENGTHEN REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR SMALL, LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES. SUPPLY SA OPERATES CURRENTLY AS A FULL SERVICE PROCURE M READINESS PARTNER -- OF THE OTHER CITIES IN AMERICA IS THAT WE HAVE COUPLED PROCUREMENT NAVIGATION WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OUR CERTIFICATION PROCESSING AND WE ARE ALSO AN AGENCY COLLABORATION INTO A SINGLE COORDINATED APPROACH. THIS IS UNIQUE AND AN INNOVATIVE MODEL AND OUR WORK IS GROUNDED IN THREE FOCUSED AREAS. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE FIRST ONE IS ACCESS. WE REALLY WANT TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES CAN OBTAIN CERTIFICATION AND THAT THEY CAN EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES. SECOND, CAPACITY BUILDING. WE PROVIDE CENTRALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESSES AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES WITH THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.
AND THIRDLY, AGENCY ALIGNMENT. WE WANT TO WORK WITH AND WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENCIES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR PROCESSES AND FIND OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPROVEMENT AND PROVIDE MORE AND A LARGER VENDOR POOL IN OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THE AGENCIES: SUPPLY SA OPERATES AS A REGIONAL MODEL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HIGHLY ALIGHTED 14 PUBLIC AGENCIES, SUPPLY SA IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD COMPRISED OF THE CEOS OF
[00:40:02]
THOSE 14 PUBLIC AGENCIES. THE CURRENT BOARD CHAIR IS LEO GOMEZ, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BROOKS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT LAST YEAR, THE BOARD CHAIR WAS ERIK WALSH, CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THIS LEVEL OF EXECUTIVE ENGAGEMENT REFLECTS SENIOR COMMITMENT AND ENABLES COORDINATED REGIONAL ALIGNMENT. SUPPLY SA IS REALLY A WIN FOR THE AGENCIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES. OVER THE PAST 17 MONTHS, WE HAVE FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE FOUNDATION, AND WE CONSIDER THAT 1.0.
THIS INCLUDES IMPROVING CERTIFICATION TIMELINES, WE ESTABLISHED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, AND WE DEVELOPED DATA TRACKING AND REPORTING CAPABILITIES WITHIN SUPPLY SA AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE AGENCIES TO DO THAT ACROSS OUR REGION.
THIS WORK POSITION'S PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENCIES AND SMALL LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES FOR REALLY STRONG OUTCOMES.
ONE OF THE MANY RESULTS THAT WE WILL SEE IS THAT WE WILL EXPAND OUR LOCAL VENDOR POOL THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE OTHER AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE AS WE ARE GOING FORWARD AND ALL OF THE GREAT NEW PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE UPCOMING IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR REGION.
AND THIS WILL BE -- WE WILL INSURE THAT WE MEASURE THIS IMPACT THROUGH THE DATA AND REPORTING EFFORT. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE SHIFT OUR FOCUS ON DEEPENING IMPACT. AS YOU LOOK AT THE 2.0 GROWTH PHASE, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING INTO INSURING THAT WE SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WITH RESOURCES THAT ARE AROUND CAPITAL, AROUND DIFFERENT ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS, BUT ALSO FOR THE AGENCIES WE'RE LOOKING TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S INCREASED CAPACITY, THAT THERE'S SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE, THAT WE, AS AGENCIES, YOU RECEIVE BETTER QUALITY OF BIDS, AND ALL OF THAT WHEN WE DO IT CORRECTLY AND WE MOVE FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO -- IT'S GOING TO RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR OUR REGION AND OUR SMALL, LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES. I WANT TO SHARE SOME OF THE WINS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR LAST YEAR THROUGH THIS YEAR. OPERATIONALLY, WE R WERE ABLE TO ISSUE IN RESULTING MORE THAN 4,000 CERTIFICATIONS THAT WE APPROVED LAST YEAR. THAT'S AROUND 1600 APPLICATIONS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROCESS. WE SUPPORTED ABOUT 1300 SMALL AND LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH CERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE AND PROCUREMENT NAVIGATION. AND WE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED OUR BACKLOG FOR CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS LAST YEAR IN DECEMBER, RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WHICH IS THE VERY FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE AGENCY'S HISTORY. WE ALSO HAVE IMPROVED OUR CERTIFICATION PROCESSING TIME WHERE RIGHT NOW OUR CERTIFICATION CYCLE TIME IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 14 AND 33 DAYS. AND WE DELIVERED MULTIPLE TRAININGS LAST YEAR, AND WE PARTICIPATED IN ABOUT 50 COMMUNITY PROCUREMENT EVENTS ACROSS THE REGION WITH OUR PARTNERS. AS IT RELATES TO VETERAN SMALL BUSINESSES, WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO HOLD A SEMINAR LAST YEAR AND TRAINING FOR ABOUT OVER 100 VETERANS DURING SAN ANTONIO STARTUP WEEK, WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE THEM ON HOW SUPPLY SA CAN HELP THEM RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD, MILITARY CITY USA, IN THE PROCUREMENT OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SPACE. AS WE STARTED 2026, THOSE 10 TRAININGS WERE ALREADY DOUBLED. WE WERE ALREADY ENGAGING MUCH MORE, WE'RE PROVIDING MORE DEEPER SERVICES IN TERMS OF PROCUREMENT NAVIGATION, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO SO AND CONTINUE TO BUILD THE ORGANIZATION IN HOW WE SUPPORT IN OUR CITY. AS FAR AS RETURN ON INVESTMENT, WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO SEE THAT OUR SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR THESE SMALL AND LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE RESULTED IN CONTRACT AWARDS. WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT ABOUT $5 MILLION IN LOCAL CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED LAST YEAR TO SOME SMALL BUSINESSES WERE ABLE TO SHARE THOSE SUCCESSES WITH US.
WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO CONNECT SMALL, LOCAL BUSINESSES WITH RESOURCES SUCH AS INSURANCE, LEGAL SERVICES AND OTHER SERVICES WHERE THEY HAD
[00:45:05]
PREVIOUSLY ENCOUNTERED BARRIERS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO. WE'RE CURRENTLY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OF WHICH WE CALL OUR NAVIGATION SERVICES, TO OVER 20 SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND WE HAVE MANY MORE IN THE PIPELINE. WE'VE ALSO ENGAGED, AS I MENTIONED, OVER 100 VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, REINFORCING SAN ANTONIO'S LEADERSHIP AS MILITARY CITY USA. AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, WE ARE REALLY LOOKING TO BECOME THE MILITARY PROCUREMENT CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES AS MILITARY CITY USA. WHEN LOCAL BUSINESSES GROW, THEY CREATE LOCAL JOBS, DIRECTLY SUPPORTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.AND WE DO BELIEVE THAT AS THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO GROW INTO MEDIUM AND THEN LARGER BUSINESSES, THERE WILL BE A DEMAND FOR LABOR IN OUR BACKYARD. I WANTED TO SHARE ONE OF THE TESTIMONIES.
WE DO HAVE ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIES AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE -- WE HAVE VARIOUS GOOGLE REVIEWS, AND MY TEAM AND I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME HOW THEY ARE REALLY UTILIZING OUR SERVICES, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAD NOT HAD PRIOR TO SUPPLY SA, HOW THEY KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT TO US, AND IN THEIR PROCUREMENT JOURNEY, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THEY NEED, WE CAN NAVIGATE THEM, WE CAN EITHER PROVIDE THE RESOURCES OR MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE PROPER CONNECTION TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO CONTINUE IN THEIR LOCAL PROCUREMENT JOURNEY. THE FUTURE: MY ASK TODAY OR MY THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO GROW SUPPLY SA. WE CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S VENDOR BASE BY INCREASING PROCUREMENT READY SMALL, LOCAL AND VETERAN-SMALL BUSINESSES. AS WE ALIGN ON IMPROVING OUR PROCESS AND IMPROVING OUR PROCESSES, WE REDUCE BARRIERS FOR OUR SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO OR OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES.
AS WE DEEPEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS, AS WE SHARE DATA AND INSIGHTS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE WHAT SOME OF THE MAIN BARRIERS AND HURDLES ARE, AND ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE TO GROW OUR SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.
THE RESULT IS STRONGER COMPETITION, INCREASED PARTICIPATION, AND ALSO GREATER REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING SMALL, LOCAL AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES,
AND I WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MELODY. WE'LL GO AROUND THE ROOM, IF COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SOME QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME COMMENTS, WE'LL START
WITH COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO? >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIRKS AND THANK YOU, MELANIE FOR THE PRESENTATION AND ALL THAT YOU DO IN CONNECTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN SAN ANTONIO TO OPPORTUNITIES. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THE 5 MILLION OF LOCAL CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED, DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT MAKEUP LOOKS LIKE? IS IT BEXAR COUNTY, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WHO DO WE SEE THERE?
>> YEAH. IT'S THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S TWO CONTRACTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SPACE FOR LOCAL AND SMALL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, AND THEN IT'S THREE CONTRACTS, BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE OVER 5 MILLION. AND IT'S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FIRM THAT
RECEIVED A CONTRACT WITH UTSA. >> CASTILLO: WOW.
WONDERFUL. AND THEN ON SLIDE 6, MANY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WITH THE MOMENTUM THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH, CAN YOU SHARE ANY POTENTIAL CHANGES THAT YOU MAY HAVE MADE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION TO SEE
THIS MOMENTUM AND THIS SUCCESS? >> SO WE'RE BUILDING -- SO MOST OF THE SUPPORT WE'VE DONE EARLY ON WAS IN PERSON.
WE'RE SHIFTING TO DIFFERENT MODALITIES BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COME SEE US IN PERSON, SO WE'RE DOING -- WE'RE SUPPORTING ALSO VIRTUALLY, AND WE'RE ALSO PUTTING TOGETHER A CURRICULUM THAT CAN BE ACCESSED VIRTUALLY, SO ON-DEMAND TRAINING AND SUPPORT.
SO IF SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER CHOOSES NOT TOEN GA TO ENGAGE WITH US DIRECTLY BECAUSE IT MAY NOT OUTSIDE BUSINESS HOURS THAT
CAN SUPPORT THEIR JOURNEY. >> CASTILLO: LASTLY, CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT HOW MANY
BUSINESSES ARE REGISTERED WITH YOU ALL? >> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 2700 BUSINESSES REGISTERED. THAT'S BEEN A SLIGHT DECLINE FROM LAST YEAR.
AND SOME OF THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE CHANGES IN DIFFERENT SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS AND
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EDUCATION THAT SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT.WE'RE ACTIVELY OUT HERE MESSAGING THAT IT IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT TO BE SMALL-BUSINESS CERTIFIED TO DO BUSINESS WITH THESE 14 LOCAL AGENCIES.
>> CASTILLO: GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MELANIE. REALLY APPRECIATE THE TRACKING IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL CONTRACTS. THAT'S VERY IMPACTFUL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. I THINK THE NUMBERS REALLY DO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND JUST GLAD TO SEE ALL THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING HERE. I KNOW THAT INSURANCE AND BONDING TENDS TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST BARRIERS. FIRST, WHAT RESOURCES DO WE HAVE NOW THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS? AND WHAT IDEAS ARE WE THINKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BONDING AND INSURANCE?
>> YES. SO ON THE INSURANCE SIDE, WE RECENTLY HELD TWO SESSIONS WITH A LOCAL INSURANCE PROVIDER THAT PROVIDED EDUCATION FIRST.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO START WITH EDUCATION TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS UNDERSTAND WHAT INSURANCE THEY TRULY NEED AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO JUST GET BLANKET INSURANCE. SO WE HAD TWO HOUR SESSIONS THAT WAS DISCUSSED.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LOCAL PROVIDERS THAT CAN MEET WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AFTER THE FACT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PARTICULAR NEED. OUR NAVIGATION IS ALL ABOUT IDENTIFYING THE PARTICULAR NEED OF THAT SMALL BUSINESS THAT IS COMING TO US FOR HELP. ON THE BONDING SIDE, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OPPORTUNITIES MAYBE IN YEAR THREE TO SEE IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BONDING PROGRAM. THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON THE ROADMAP SO WE'RE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT THAT WOULD REQUIRE, WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO US, WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING, AND WE'RE EXPLORING AN OPPORTUNITY IN
YEAR THREE BONDING WILL BE ON THE HORIZON. >> GONZALEZ: THOSE ARE ALL
MY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: ANYONE ELSE?
COUNCILMAN GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THANK YOU, MELANIE FOR THE PRESENTATION AND ALL THE WORK YOU DO EVERY DAY.
THE FUTURE GOALS LOOK REALLY, REALLY GOOD. I REALLY APPRECIATE SLIDE 5 AND THE FUTURE GOALS AND TYING THOSE TOGETHER ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO. MOST OF MY QUESTIONS ARE RELATED TO SLIDE 4 AND THE PARTICIPATING PUBLIC AGENCIES. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE AGENCIES AND THE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES?
ARE THERE ANY BIG DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM? >> THERE'S A LOT OF FRAGMENTATION FROM AGENCY TO AGENCY. EVERYBODY DOES DIFFERENTLY AND THEIR PROCUREMENT PROCESSES ARE DIFFERENT AS WELL.
AND SO THAT WAS ONE THING IS IDENTIFIED AS TRYING TO ADDRESS FRAGMENTATION.
THE VENDOR PORTAL IS NUMBER ONE. TRYING TO FIND THE OPPORTUNITIES. WHERE DO I GO TO FIND AN OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE AGENCY. WHEN YOU GO ON SUPPLY SA'S WEBSITE, WITH ONE CLICK YOU CAN BE AT THAT RIGHT PORTAL FOR THAT PARTICULAR AGENCY. BUT WE WANT TO PEEL THE ONION BACK A LITTLE BIT MORE. INSTEAD OF DOING BUSINESS WITH ALL 14 AGENCIES OR TRYING TO DO BUSINESS WITH ALL 14 AT ONCE AS A SMALL BUSINESS, WE WANT TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY WHO THEIR SMEAR IS.
WE NEED TO IDENTIFY WHAT AGENCY REALLY DOES OPPORTUNITIES ARE AND NAVIGATE THEM TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO FIND THOSE.
>> GALVAN: GOT IT. ARE THERE THINGS THAT CERTAIN ENTITIES ARE DOING THAT ARE SEEING MORE SMALL BUSINESSES OR NEW SMALL BUSINESSES DO WORK WITH THEM COMPARED TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO? OR ARE WE SEEING -- IS THERE ANY BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBERS THEY'RE TAKING IN ON THEIR OWN SIDES?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INSIGHT. WHAT I CAN SHARE IS FROM AN OUTWARD PERSPECTIVE AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE INVOLVED.
PARTNERED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM QUITE OFTEN AND IT'S A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. BUT THEY HAVE REALLY STEPPED UP ON HOW OFTEN, HOW MUCH, AND WHERE THEY REACH OUT. SO THERE'S NOT JUST COMMUNICATION AND E-MAILS BUT THERE'S ALSO IN-PERSON THINGS THAT THEY DO, WE PARTNER TOGETHER WHERE WE ARE SEEING GREAT TURNOUT. I BELIEVE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS GETTING MORE INTEREST BECAUSE OF THAT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE.
>> GALVAN: THANK YOU. ONE LAST THING, COULD YOU REMIND ME ABOUT THE PLATFORM YOU USED -- ARE THEY ALL SEPARATE AND IF SO, IS IT MORE I.T. THAT'S A BARRIER
[00:55:05]
OR IS IT DIFFERENT PROCUREMENT PROCESSES THAT THERE ARE, TO TRY TO MAKE IT STREAMLINED INTO ONE APPLICATION FOR WORK, ET CETERA.IS THAT THE GOAL? >> I WOULD HAVE TO ASK MY BOARD IF THAT'S THE GOAL.
I WOULD LOVE ONE PLATFORM AND I WOULD LOVE TO BUILD THAT.
THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE HORIZON. I THINK THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT P PLATFORMS, AS YOU SAID, AND THAT CAN BE A STRENGTH FOR VENDORS HOW TO
NAVIGATE THOSE PLATFORMS. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> VIAGRAN: COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS. >> SPEARS: I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS. THEY'RE A WONDERFUL GROUP IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS OUR SUPPORT. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
YOU BROUGHT THAT UP SEVERAL TIMES IN YOUR PRESENTATION. I THINK THIS REALLY DOES ALIGN WITH OUR BROADER GOALS FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH. HOW WOULD YOU SAY YOUR MODEL IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CITY PARTNER PROGRAMS? WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT? I CAN SORT OF SEE THINGS I
SEE, BUT WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? >> I THINK THE MODEL IS NOT ONLY UNIQUE BECAUSE WE FOCUS ON LOCAL PROCUREMENT, WHICH A LOT OF OUR OTHER PARTNER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS OR CHAMBERS DO NOT NECESSARILY FOCUS ON THAT. BUT ALSO HOW WE INTERACT WITH THEM.
SO WE DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, WE FOCUS ON PROCUREMENT BUT WE PARTNER IN SERVICES THAT THEY NEED ALONG THE JOURNEY.
SO WE REALLY WANT TO GET THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHERE THEY START WITH US AND CARRY THEM ALONG THE PROCESS. WE'RE NOT HANDING THEM OFF AND SAYING COME BACK LATER TO US. WE'RE SAYING, OKAY. HERE'S A RESOURCE AND WE'LL CHECK IN WITH YOU. AND THEN HERE'S A RESOURCE, COME BACK TO US.
SO WE'RE REALLY WALKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEM UNTIL THEY'RE CONTRACT READY.
THE OTHER UNIQUENESS IS WORKING WITH CITY PARTNER OR THE AGENCIES IN THE PROCUREMENT SPACE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BECAUSE THOSE ARE USUALLY THE ORGANIZATIONS WHERE SMALL BUSINESS CAN'T SEE IN. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND AND THEY DON'T HAVE INSIGHT. WE'RE ABLE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN INSIGHT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BUT ALSO FOR THE AGENCIES TO UNDERSTAND THE HURDLES OF
SMALL BUSINESS. >> SPEARS: THAT'S GOOD. ON SLIDE 5, LOOKING AT THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, IS THERE A WAY THAT YOU SEE THIS BECOMING MORE SELF-SUSTAINING OR DO YOU THINK THIS WILL ALWAYS REQUIRE CITY FUNDING?
>> I DO HOPE IT BECOMES MORE SELF-SUSTAINING IN THE FUTURE.
WE ARE LOOKING, NOT JUST AT PUBLIC PARTNERS BUT I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH CORPORATE PARTNERS. AND POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT LEGISLATION FOR FUNDING AND SUPPORT. WHEN WE WERE AT S.A. TO D.C., WE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS AND ONE PARTICULAR WAS WITH THE COMMITTEE CHAIR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS HOUSE COMMITTEE, ROGER WILLIAMS WAS VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IN SAN ANTONIO . HE'S OUT OF FORT WORTH IN THAT AREA, GOING DOWN TO AUSTIN. AND HE WAS VERY INTERESTED AND INTRIGUED BY SMALL AND LOCAL AND SUPPORTING THROUGH LOCAL PROCUREMENT.
HE'S A CHAMPION OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT AND WHEN WE HAD A CONVERSATION, HE'S INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING MORE AND POSSIBLY SPONSORING A PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
SO I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
>> SPEARS: THAT'S GOOD. CAN YOU JUST EXPAND REAL BRIEFLY ON THE CURRENT CERTIFICATION TIMELINE AND IF THERE'S OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THIS
PROCESS MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES? >> THE REASON WHY I GAVE THE 14 TO 30 DAYS AS A CYCLE TIME, IT DEPENDS ON US RECEIVING THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WE NEED. HOW WE -- WE HAVE RECEIVED -- THERE'S APPLICATIONS WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE NEED.
HOW WE BRIDGE THAT GAP NOW IS WE ASK SMALL BUSINESSES TO MEET WITH US BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION SO WE CAN ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY NEED. THAT CUTS DOWN ON PROCESSING TIME AND CUTS DOWN ON SMALL BUSINESSES HAVING TO REPETITIVELY SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION WHERE THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE. WE'RE ASKING A LOT MORE ON THE FRONT END, JUST MEET WITH US SO WE CAN HELP YOU AND BEING MORE HANDS ON WITH
OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE ALL YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MELANIE. I THINK -- I MEAN, YOU HAVE HEARD WE WANT TO SEE IT CONTINUE. WE WANT TO SEE IT EXPAND AS A COMMITTEE.
[01:00:02]
THE ONE THING, IN TERMS OF SLIDE NO. 4, WHO ARE THE PARTICIPATING PUBLIC AGENCIES, I'D LIKE TO GET AN UPDATE -- AND THIS COULD BE THROUGH JUST AN E-MAIL OR MAYBE HAVE A SECOND PRESENTATION OF WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE.BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AND THE OTHER IS IF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AREN'T GOING TO HELP, WE DO HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT ARE TAKING PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE STATE THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THIS PARTICIPATION ALSO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO SEE HOW THEY CAN GET PLUGGED INTO THIS PROGRAM.
THE OTHER IS IN TERMS OF -- I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GET INTO DISTRICTS BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD GET IT KIND OF BROKEN INTO REGIONS.
NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST IN TERMS OF WHERE THESE CERTIFICATIONS ARE COMING FROM AND WHAT THE STAGES ARE OF THESE GROUPS. IF THEY ARE STUCK IN THAT MIDDLE STAGE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET THE INSURANCE THEY NEED, THEY CANNOT APPLY FOR SOME OF OUR BIG PROJECTS. AND THE OTHER IS WHAT WE HAVE A LOT OF HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IS WE HAVE ON-CALL. AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND HOW DO THEY INCORPORATE THAT INTO THAT WITH THE CERTIFICATIONS.
AND THE OTHER IS CATEGORIES. I THINK WE -- IN TERMS OF IN THE SUPPLY SA AND SOME OF THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE, MAKING SURE WE HAVE THAT DIVERSITY SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING -- AND I'M THINKING WHO IS NOT UP THERE BUT THEY'RE STILL RAISING MONEY -- IS THE ARBORETUM. WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS THE ARBORETUM GOING TO NEED WHERE WE CAN SUPPLY SA HERE. DO WE HAVE THOSE BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR WHATEVER AN ARBORETUM IS GOING TO NEED? BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF LAWN SERVICE. A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT. SO WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO NEED? ARE THEY GOING TO DO CONTRACTS? HOW DO THEY DO IT UP IN D.C. AND IN HOUSTON AND KIND OF FORECAST ARE WE DEVELOPING THOSE BUSINESSES? WITH READY TO WORK WE LOOK AT ENTREPRENEURS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THAT REGIONALLY. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I THINK LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, AS WE LOOK AT THIS ECONOMY AND WHAT WE DO AND INDUSTRY STARTS TO COME TO SAN ANTONIO, IS HOW WE JUST MOVE WITH THE FLOW OF HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS MOVING. UNDERSTANDING THAT EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT HAVE ARMY NORTH AND SOUTH HEADQUARTERED HERE, WE ARE AN ATTRACTIVE SPACE WHERE VETERANS RETIRE TO AND THEY HAVE A SKILL SET AND HOW DO WE PLUG THAT IN. I APPRECIATE THAT. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM WAS A BRIEFING ONLY, SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AGAIN OR GETTING THAT UPDATE ABOUT IF YOU COULD JUST LET US KNOW IN TERMS OF REGIONS SO WE CAN GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, IF THEY'RE IN OUR AREA AND THEY AREN'T PARTICIPATING.
>> CHAIRWOMAN, I'M WORKING ON IT BY DISTRICT. COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ HAD ASKED ME FOR THAT. I'M JUST VETTING IT WITH THE CITY NOW SO YOU WILL RECEIVE IT BY DISTRICTS. WE ONLY HAVE 24 SMALL BUSINESSES GETTING CERTIFIED
AND WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT. OKAY. SO WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 4. ITEM 4 IS ALSO A BRIEFING ON THE SECOND CHANCE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE . CAN WE GET THE STAFF PRESENTATION?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR VIAGRAN. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO SUBMITTED A COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST ON OCTOBER 2 OF LAST YEAR FOR SECOND CHANCE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM . THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO UTILIZE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY TO ESTABLISH THE PROGRAM. AND THE STRATEGY TO MITIGATE BARRIERS INDIVIDUALS FACE IN OBTAINING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AFTER INCARCERATION. THE CCR HAS SEVERAL ELEMENTS, INCLUDING COORDINATING WITH CHRYSALIS MINISTRIES AND BEXAR COUNTY.
EXPLORE FEDERAL GRANTS TO EXPAND PROVEN MODELS OUTLINED IN THE SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE CASE STUDY RESEARCH BEST PRACTICES THAT UTILIZE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FAMILIAL CRIMINAL HISTORY TO NOT IMPEDE HIRING OPPORTUNITIES.
REVIEW OPTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION REGARDING EMPLOYERS THAT RECEIVE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO INCENTIVES AND CITY CONTRACTS. RESEARCH BEST PRACTICES AND
[01:05:01]
ORDINANCES THAT PROMOTE INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT IN HIRING FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED APPLICANTS. AND EMPHASIS RECEIVING TAX INCENTIVES. EXPLORING INCENTIVES TO DEVELOP APPRENTICESHIP AND BOOT CAMP PROGRAMS PRODUCING CERTIFICATIONS FOR JUST-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS.DEVELOP INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS WHO SUPPORT REHABILITATION.
ENSURE THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SUPPORTS STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDS FAIR STATE, AND FEDERAL INCENTIVES ON HOW EMPLOYERS ARE RETAINING AND SUPPORTING SECOND CHANCE EMPLOYEES. THIS ITEM WAS BEFORE THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 11, 2025 AND ASSIGNED TO THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. THEY REQUESTED THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE BEST PRACTICES. STAFF TO ENGAGE WITH BEXAR COUNTY STAFF TO DETERMINE THEIR INTEREST IN DEVELOPING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH A JOINT SECOND CHANCE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS. SO COSA ENGAGEMENT. SO COLLABORATION INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING INTERNAL PARTNERS. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, HR, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND PROCUREMENT DIVISION, AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. STAFF HAS ESTABLISHED COMMUNICATION WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY REENTRY CENTER . THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. SO FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE GUIDANCE WAS THAT TARGETED CONTRACT INCENTIVES AND STRUCTURED VENDOR REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCRETIONARY CONTRACTS COULD BE VIABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE WORKFORCE INCLUSION OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS. STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS MAY LIMIT APPLICABILITY.
AND CAREFUL POLICY DESIGN AND OVERSIGHT IS NECESSARY FOR RISK MANAGEMENT.
READY TO WORK IS OF COURSE SERVING JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS SELF-IDENTIFIED.
ABOUT 787 HAVE COMPLETED TRAINING THROUGH READY TO WORK AND 459 HAVE FOUND APPROVED JOBS. THEIR TRAINING RATES AND JOB PLACEMENT RATES ARE A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW WHAT WE TYPICALLY SEE AND THE AVERAGE SALARY IS $44,000 BUT IT'S A 483% INCREASE WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE PROGRAM.
I'M SORRY. OF THIS GROUP, 145 OF OUR PARTICIPANTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A WRAPAROUND SUPPORT THROUGH READY TO WORK TO HAVE THEIR RECORDS EXPUNGED.
THAT'S A VALUABLE BENEFIT TO MAKE THIS GROUP MORE EMPLOYABLE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO GET ITEMS OFF THEIR RECORD TO MAKE THOSE EMPLOYERS MORE LIKELY TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY. THE COSA AND BEXAR COUNTY COLLABORATION.
THE REENTRY COALITION INITIATED MEETINGS. WE PARTICIPATED WITH COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO IN A REENTRY LUNCH AND LEARN. BEXAR COUNTY HOSTED THIS EVENT ON FEBRUARY 25. IT WAS VERY EMPLOYER FOCUSED.
53 EMPLOYERS ATTENDED. SINCE THAT TIME, WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE SECOND-CHANCE HIRING FAIR WITH BEXAR COUNTY WHERE 58 EMPLOYERS AND 717 JOB SEEKERS ATTENDED. TODAY WITH US WE HAVE AIDAN REPRESENTING WITH COUNTY.
AND DEBORAH IS HERE ALSO REPRESENTING THE READY TO WORK INITIATIVE.
TO SHOW THEIR COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING THAT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT FOCUSES ON MARKETING THE BENEFITS OF HIRING THESE INDIVIDUALS. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYERS ARE AWARE AND ARE TAKING US UP ON OUR PROPOSAL TO HIRE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED THROUGH EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
FURTHER MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE AS WE LOOK TO CREATE ALIGNMENT WITH FUNDING AND OUTCOMES ACROSS ALL PARTNERS. SO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THERE'S A SURVEY THAT THEY WILL BE DEVELOPING OF COURSE TO BE REVIEWED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO BE SENT OUT TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
THAT WILL INCLUDE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING SECOND CHANCE HIRING, UPDATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK IN THE FALL OF 2026 WILL GUIDE THOSE RECOMMENDATION AND THEN OUR CITY HR DEPARTMENT.
COSA'S FAIR CHANCE HIRING INCLUDES CASE-BY-CASE REVIEWS OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND RECRUITMENT. THE CITY IMPLEMENTED BAN THE BOX IN 2016 WHERE THEY REMOVED CRIMINAL HISTORY DISCLOSURE ON ALL
[01:10:03]
APPLICATIONS. INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS, THE LEVEL OF OFFENSE ARE ALL FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS ARE MADE.INTENTIONAL OUTREACH TO THE BEXAR COUNTY SECOND CHANCE JOB FAIRS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, AS WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HR DEPARTMENT. NATALIE BULLOCK IS HERE AS WELL AS SHARON FRAY. THE COSA PROCUREMENT DIVISION MAY ONLY BE APPLICABLE AS ALLOWED PER STATE STATUTE FOR SOLICITATIONS SUCH AS LOW BID AND REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSALS.
BY LAW THE CITY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REQUIRE PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS ON HIRING SECOND CHANCE POPULATION. REQUIRES ADDITIONAL CONTRACT TO INCLUDE A REVIEW OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FROM VENDORS.
AND REQUIREMENTS MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RESPONSES TO CITY SOLICITATIONS.
THAT WAS THE FEEDBACK. ANGELICA IS HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE PROCUREMENT COMMISSION. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL COORDINATE WITH GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TO INCLUDE SECOND CHANCE LEGISLATION AND FUNDING IN THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.
SUPPORT WOULD INCLUDE THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FEDERAL SECOND CHANCE ACT OF 2018 AND CONTINUE FUNDING FOR ITS PROGRAMS AND EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE STATE TO EXPAND ON PREVIOUSLY FOR PAST OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
SALLY BASURTO IS HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS IN THIS SPACE. SO ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE FOUND VARIOUS PROGRAMS BEING IMPLEMENTED. OF COURSE, THEIR FAIR CHANCE HIRING ORDINANCE REQUIRES PRIVATE EMPLOYERS TO IMPLEMENT BAN THE BOX.
DUE TO TEXAS LEGISLATION, PARTS OF THAT ORDINANCE IS NO LONGER ENFORCEABLE.
RESEARCH DID NOT INDICATE ANY TEXAS CITY IMPLEMENTING THOSE SO WE WOULD BE A TRAILBLAZER IN THAT REGARD. SOME NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. FAIR CHANCE HIRING CAMPAIGN. WE INCLUDED THESE SO THAT YOU ALL CAN GET SOME IDEAS OF WHAT CAN BE GLEANED UPON WITHIN POLICY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. NOT ALL OF IT WOULD APPLY BECAUSE OF THE STATE PREEMPTIVE LAW. BUT VIA CITY CONTRACTING AGREEMENTS, APPLIES ON SOLICITATIONS OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. 10% OF WORK HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED BY FORMERLY-INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.
SIGN A FAIR CHANCE HIRING PLEDGE. M ACCESS TO EMPLOYER SUPPORT SUCH AS FEDERAL BONDING AND THE WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDITS .
SO PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, THE FAIR CRIMINAL RECORD SCREENING STANDARDS ORDINANCE REQUIRES ALL EMPLOYERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, INCLUDING CITY CONTRACTORS, TO DELAY ANY BACKGROUND CHECK UNTIL A CANDIDATE HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE POSITION AND RECEIVED A CONDITIONAL OFFER FOR EMPLOYMENT.
THIS IS BAN THE BOX. EMPLOYERS MUST NOW PROVIDE A WRITTEN PRE-ADVERSE ACTION NOTICE, INCLUDING SPECIFIC CONVICTIONS CONSIDERED. A COPY OF THE BACKGROUND REPORT, A SUMMARY OF THE APPLICANT'S RIGHTS, AND TEN BUSINESS DAYS FOR APPLICANTS TO DISPUTE. AND APPLIES TO SOLICITATIONS OF THE CITY AT ALL VALUES.
SO OUR NEXT STEPS, WE'RE HERE TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON THIS BUT TO CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE READY TO WORK AND SERVE THE SECOND CHANCE POPULATION. CONTINUE COORDINATION WITH BEXAR COUNTY REENTRY COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO ENHANCE THE PARTNERSHIP AND TO INCREASE MARKETING TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS OF THE BENEFITS OF HIRING FROM THIS SUBGROUP. FINALIZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN IN THE FALL OF 2026 FOR POTENTIAL INCLUSION OF SECOND-CHANCE HIRING INCENTIVES. AND HR WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES SUCH AS THE BAN THE BOX AND INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS FOR CITY APPLICANTS AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WILL PRIORITIZE SECOND CHANCE LEGISLATION.
THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION. I'M HAPPY TO ASSIST IN
ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MIKE. WE WILL START WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS' COMMENTS.
COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THANK YOU, MIKE FOR THE PRESENTATION AND TO YOUR TEAM FOR THE IN-DEPTH RESEARCH THAT YOU ALL DID IN TERMS OF THE TRENDS AND WHAT'S BEING DONE.
WE'RE MINDFUL OF STATE PREEMPTION BUT I DID WANT TO COMMEND THE INDIVIDUALS ALREADY DOING THIS WORK. IDA WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY REENTRY CENTER AND HER TEAM.
LESLIE CANTU , HER WORK HAS SERVED AS A MODEL AS TO HOW WE SAW OPPORTUNITY AND TO
[01:15:06]
SCALE UP THAT GREAT WORK YOU'RE DOING. AS WELL AS TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HELPED DRAFT THIS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION REQUEST.THERE WAS NINO, BARBARA, AND TOMMY WHO HELPED GO OVER THE DRAFT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE COVERING THE EXPERIENCE OF IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS AND THE BARRIERS THAT THEY SAW SO THAT WAY WE COULD GET TO THE MEAT OF HOW WE CAN CONNECT MORE INDIVIDUALS TO MORE OPPORTUNITY. I DID WANT TO -- IF YOU CAN SHARE -- YOU DID HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR PRESENTATION -- TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK THAT READY TO WORK CURRENTLY DOES. LIKE, YOU HIT ON EXPUNGEMENTS, THE AMOUNT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE APPLIED AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT. I THINK THOSE NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT FOR A WIDE RANGE OF REASONS. AND I THINK OF A CONSTITUENT THAT WE CONNECTED TO READY TO WORK. I SHARED HER STORY IN WHICH SHE TEXTED A PICTURE OF HER IN FRONT OF THE ST. PHILIPS COLLEGE SIGN JUST EAGER AND EXCITED.
SINCE HER TRANSCRIPTS WERE IN PAPER FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THERE WERE ISSUES IN TERMS OF HOW THOSE CAN GET CONNECTED TO ST. PHILIPS COLLEGE. GOING BACK TO HAVING THAT LIVED EXPERIENCE AT THE TABLE TO SHARE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT WORKING.
BUT CAN YOU TALK ABOUT LIKE ONE, JUST R REITERATING THAT THIS IS TYPICALLY SELF-IDENTIFIED SO THERE MAY BE OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT AREN'T CHECKING THE BOX.
CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT THAT? >> ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE SELF-IDENTIFIED, MEANING THAT IS VOLUNTARY. SOME OF THEM WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH SHARING THAT INFORMATION, OTHERS WILL NOT. IF THEY DO SHARE, THERE IS MORE ACCESS TO SUPPORT AND RESOURCES BECAUSE THEN WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO AGENCIES SUCH AS EASY EXPUNCTIONS TO GET THINGS OFF OF THEIR RECORDS.
BUT ALSO CONNECT WITH A NETWORK OF EMPLOYERS THAT ARE JUSTICE-INVOLVED HIRING FRIENDLY. LIKE LESLIE CANTU. THEY DO AN AMAZING JOB.
AND THERE'S A GROUP OF EMPLOYERS THAT ARE MORE FRIENDLY TOWARDS HIRING AND WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT GROUP. I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME IF WE HAVE MORE EMPLOYERS LIKE LESLIE THAT SEE THE VALUE OF THIS HIDDEN TALENT
POOL, THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITY. >> CASTILLO: IN TERMS OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND ALSO WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM ENVISION THAT PATH FORWARD LOOKING LIKE?
>> JOE MORGAN HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THAT WORK. HE SPOKE ON A PANEL WITH YOU WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY REENTRY PROGRAM. IT'S IN THE EARLY STAGES BUT WILLINGNESS IS THERE FOR AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY.
THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN FROM THE COUNTY WITH PART OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU TALK ABOUT HAVING A JOINT PLAN FOR INCENTIVIZING EMPLOYERS TO HIRE FROM THIS GROUP. ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THEY FACE IS GETTING MORE EMPLOYERS TO THE TABLE TO WANT TO HIRE FROM THIS GROUP. WE PLAN TO WORK WITH THEM AND BRINGING MORE EMPLOYERS TOGETHER. WE HAVE CONVENED EMPLOYERS IN READY TO WORK AND WE WANT TO ADD THOSE TO THE REENTRY CENTER'S EMPLOYEE BASE. I THINK A LOT OF THE WORK THAT LESLIE HAS DONE WITH THE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE CREATED A BLUEPRINT AND MANUFACTURING IS ONE OF THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT'S VERY FRIENDLY TO HIRING PEOPLE WITH BACKGROUNDS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING THAT SAME EXAMPLE ACROSS OTHER INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYERS ACROSS SAN ANTONIO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THAT. I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, GOING BACK TO STATE PREEMPTION, ARE THERE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE PAST THAT YOU CAN SHARE BUT OFFLINE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THOSE BILLS LOOK LIKE AND WHETHER IT'S WITHIN THE IGR COMMITTEE OR FULL COUNCIL B SESSION THAT WE KNOW WHO ARE THE SPONSORS AND HOW CAN WE HAVE FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATIONS IF THEY INTEND TO REFILE AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT AS A CITY
WITH THOSE INITIATIVES. >> WE'LL CONTINUE TO MEET FOR THAT.
>> CASTILLO: IN TERMS OF BAN THE BOX INITIATIVE, I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HR DATA, AN INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING IN TERMS OF HOW MANY FOLKS ARE WE INTERVIEWING AND THEN WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE. WHAT I HEAR FROM COMMUNITY -- THIS ISN'T LIMITED TO CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOLKS APPLYING FOR CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOBS BUT THEY HAVE SHARED THAT, OKAY, WHILE THEY'RE NOT CHECKING A BOX, ONCE THEY GET TO THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, THEY'RE NOT SELECTED TO GO ON TO THE NEXT STEPS. IT'S JUST DELAYED REJECTION. I'M CURIOUS WHAT THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE FOR US SO THAT WAY WE CAN DO A LITTLE INTERNAL REFLECTION AND SEE WHERE THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO RECALIBRATE, IF NECESSARY.
AND FINALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE FEDERAL TAX CREDITS OR OTHER RESOURCES
[01:20:01]
ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS, HOW DO YOU THINK -- HOW HAS YOUR TEAM IDENTIFIED HOW WE CAN BETTER PACKAGE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WITH THOSE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES LOOK LIKE FOR EMPLOYERS.>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I'LL ASK JOEL TO COME UP AND ADDRESS THAT ONE FOR US.
>> GOOD MORNING. GREAT QUESTION. A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TACTICS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, OBVIOUSLY TO MAKE THE EMPLOYERS AWARE OF WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. AND THEN ALSO LOOKING AT THE LANDSCAPE LOCALLY ON SOME DIFFERENT INCENTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAYBE WE COULD PACKAGE TO MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE. HAVING SOMEONE LIKE LESLIE, WHO IS A CHAMPION. THERE'S ANOTHER SUPPLIER WHO HAS BEEN FANTASTIC AND USING THEM TO CONNECT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY IS ANOTHER PART OF THOSE TACTICS.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THAT. CHAIR, IF I MAY, IF IDA OR LESLIE OR DEBORAH HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, HIGHLIGHT IN TERMS OF THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING WITH THIS INITIATIVE, I WOULD WELCOME
Y'ALL TO SHARE ANY INSIGHT Y'ALL MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US AND FOR THIS INITIATIVE. SO DEBORAH CARTER, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY. I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT ALSO TEXAS FAST TRACK WHERE 23% OF OUR ALUMNI HAVE JUSTICE-INVOLVED BACKGROUNDS. WE INTENTIONALLY RECRUIT FROM VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND WITH GREAT EMPLOYERS LIKE TOYOTA WE HAVE AN 86% PLACEMENT RATE.
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN JULY WE'RE OPENING OUR SECOND LOCATION ON THE WEST SIDE AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLACE. JUDGE SAKAI HAS COMMITTED TO A THIRD LOCATION ON THE EAST SIDE. WE INTEND TO EXPAND THIS PROGRAM AND INTENTIONALLY RECRUIT JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I AM THE BEXAR COUNTY REENTRY CITY MANAGER AND I'M SO THANKFUL Y'ALL ARE BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT, ESPECIALLY COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. I STARTED IN THE JAIL BACK IN THE 1993S AND I TELL YOU NOBODY WANTED TO HIRE OUR GUYS AND OUR WOMEN. AND NOW THAT THIS MOMENTUM HAS, YOU KNOW, COME TO WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW, I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL THAT THIS IS COMING TO LIGHT. AND WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ONE IN THREE AMERICANS HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND.
ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS WHERE THEIR SENTENCE IS DONE WHEN THEY LEAVE THEIR FACILITY AND STARTING NEW IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BEFORE I RETIRE.
AND SO I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE AND I'M SO GRATEFUL AND I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OF Y'ALL BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE GIVING PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE. Y'ALL ARE OPENING THE MINDS OF OTHERS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN PASS THAT ON TO THE EMPLOYERS BECAUSE OUR EMPLOYERS ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED AND THE STIGMA NEEDS TO GO AWAY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
I'M LESLIE CANTU. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION AND THANK YOU FOR MIKE AND JOEL FOR INVITING ME TO BE HERE TODAY. I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE WORK THAT TOYOTA IS DOING. WE STARTED BACK IN 2018 AND HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS ALONG THAT PATH. WE PARTNERED CLOSELY WITH THE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE TO HAVE A BROADER IMPACT. WE HAVE HELPED THEM WITH THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO TRY TO RECRUIT MORE EMPLOYERS. LOCALLY WE HAVE HAD TWO STORIES ON KSAT, ONE IN 2022 AND ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR. FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF ONE OF OUR VERY FIRST HIRES. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THE PARTICIPANTS OR THE JOB SEEKER STORY OUT THERE SO THOSE EMPLOYERS CAN SEE THE GREAT WORKERS THAT ARE OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT HAVE MISSED OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN APPREHENSIVE. PLEASE KNOW, AS CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES ON YOUR JOURNEY TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN BEST SUPPORT JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS, WE HOPE THAT YOU SEE TOYOTA AS A RESOURCE.
WE WANT TO BE AN ADVOCATE, A VOICE TO OTHER EMPLOYERS. OFTEN EMPLOYERS LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHER EMPLOYERS. I THINK IT'S KEY THAT WE ARE GETTING TO THOSE DECISION MAKERS AT THE EMPLOYERS. OFTENTIMES WE HAVE ACTIVITIES AND WE HAVE THOSE THAT ARE MAYBE MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT BELIEVE IN THE WORK.
THEY SEE THE VALUE BUT THEY'RE HAVING SOME CHALLENGES WITH THOSE DECISION-MAKING SURE LEVELS, GETTING THEM ENGAGED. ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO OR MY
[01:25:02]
COMPANY CAN DO TO BE A RESOURCE AND HELP MOVE THIS WORK FORWARD, PLEASE DON'THESITATE TO ASK US FOR HELP. >> CASTILLO: WONDERFUL. IN CLOSING, JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE FOLKS AT THE COUNTY THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK, MAKING THE IMPACT. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR NEXT
STEPS. THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE FOREFRONT. EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE AND TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AND TURN THINGS AROUND, WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AND CREATE A PIPELINE FOR THAT. ALSO, HI, DEBORAH.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT, KIND OF EXPAND ON MAYBE ON SLIDE 7 IT'S SAYING CAREFUL POLICY DESIGN AND OVERSIGHT IS NECESSARY FOR RISK MANAGEMENT. IF YOU CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND THAT MORE CLEARLY, WHAT THEY'RE WANTING, SPECIFICALLY, SO THAT WE CAN DESIGN AROUND
THAT. >> COUNCILWOMAN, THANK YOU. SO WHEN STAFF HAS DEVELOPED A POLICY, IT DOESN'T MATTER IN WHAT REGARD, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WAY THAT IT'S IMPLEMENTED IS STRATEGIC. SO IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONTRACT, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR AN INCENTIVE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REQUIREMENT IN THE INCENTIVE IS WORDED IN A WAY THAT WE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE STAYING WITHIN THOSE BOUNDS. THAT'S THE KIND OF RISK THAT WE WOULD TRY TO MITIGATE IN THAT SITUATION. BUT FOR EVERY PROGRAM THE CITY MIGHT IMPLEMENT, THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STRATEGY THAT WE WOULD
RECOMMEND. >> SPEARS: THAT'S HELPFUL. AND THEN ALSO GIVEN HOW MANY CITY DEPARTMENTS AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ARE INVOLVED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN ALIGNMENT AND BUILDING ON THE CURRENT EFFORTS THAT WE'RE DOING AND NOT CREATING MORE WORK. JUST USE WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING AND AVOIDING OVERLAP OF DUTIES AND LET THE BEST ONE AT THAT SKILL DO IT IS REALLY WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. IF THE COUNTY IS BETTER AT SOMETHING, LET THEM DO.
IF WE'RE BETTER, WE DO IT. WE CAN'T DUPLICATE EFFORTS AND BUILD BUREAUCRACY IN THE PROCESS. I WANT TO SEE THIS SUCCESSFUL AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, GREAT PATH FORWARD. I TOO AM INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THE ILA LOOKS LIKE AND I THINK THIS WILL CREATE A CLEAR PATH FORWARD FOR A VULNERABLE BUT HOPEFUL POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, AGAIN FOR
BRINGING THIS FORWARD, COUNCILWOMAN. >> VIAGRAN: COUNCILMAN
GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, CHAIR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR PUSHING THIS FORWARD.
THERE'S A CRITICAL NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD ON BREAKING GENERATION CYCLES OF POVERTY AND MAKING SURE THE FOLKS WHO ARE CAUGHT IN A SYSTEM, TO BREAK THAT CYCLE. I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH MORE TO ADD.
I AM SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES HAVE SHARED.
MY ONE QUESTION WAS AROUND SLIDE 8 ON THE READY TO WORK COMPONENT.
IT PROBABLY IS BETTER TO FOLLOW UP WITH A MEMO BUT -- EXCUSE ME.
ASKING ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE -- I'M SORRY.
THE EMPLOYERS WHO ARE HIRING OUR READY TO WORK PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE JUSTICE INVOLVED. DO WE HAVE ANY DETAILS ON THE TYPE OF INDUSTRY, THE PERCENT OF EMPLOYERS OUT OF THE TOTAL EMPLOYERS HERE LOCALLY, THE KIND OF PAY SCALES, AND THE BENEFITS AVAILABILITY? JUST MORE DETAILS ON THOSE
EMPLOYERS. >> I CAN FOLLOW UP ON THAT. ABSOLUTELY.
>> GALVAN: I APPRECIATE THAT. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO SEE WHAT THAT ECOSYSTEM LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE. THE OTHER THING I WAS GOING TO ASK IS I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE PHILADELPHIA CASE THERE AND THE WORK THEY DO. DO WE KNOW -- MAYBE IT'S WITH COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO'S HR EVALUATION. DO WE KNOW IF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO USES BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE PRESCREENING OF APPLICANTS OR DO WE KNOW IF THAT'S BEEN LOOKED AT ALREADY OR SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE?
>> SHARON OR NATALIE, Y'ALL WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE? THANK YOU, SHARON.
>> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. SHARON FRY.
I'M THE RECRUITMENT AND STAFFING ADMINISTRATOR. WE DO CONDUCT CRIMINAL
[01:30:01]
BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ALL CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR HIRE BUT ONLY AFTER THATCONDITIONAL OFFER HAS BEEN MADE. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND TO COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO ON PUSHING THIS FORWARD. I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THE -- SLIDES 10 AND 14. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE EMPLOYERS THAT WERE GATHERED AND THE COMMITTEES THAT WE FORMED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS INVOLVED IN SOME CAPACITY, WHETHER IT'S WITH THE CHAMBERS. I WAS LOOKING UP THE TEXAS SECOND CHANCE EMPLOYERS COALITION THROUGH TAB. HOW ARE WE REALLY INVOLVING OUR CHAMBERS? THIS IS REALLY ABOUT EXPANDING OUR POOL OF EMPLOYERS.
AND THE NEED IS THERE TO HIRE FOLKS. AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INCORPORATE THAT TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET CHAMPIONS TO SUPPORT THESE INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON AND THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S JUST A RANT OR JUST HOW DO WE --
>> NO, THAT'S A GREAT POINT. WE WILL DEFINITELY MAKE SURE WE INCLUDE OUR CHAMBERS AS A PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE WORKING WITH THEIR MEMBERSHIP. AND WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SENDS
THAT SURVEY OUT, I'LL MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVE IT. >> GONZALEZ: YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE, JUST LOOKING THIS UP -- MAYBE WE CAN GET MORE BACKGROUND ON WHAT TAB IS DOING IN THIS SPACE. THAT COULD IMPACT THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE. AND LEARNING WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING AROUND THIS BECAUSE IF THERE IS A ROLE THAT THE CHAMBER PLAYS IN OTHER CITIES IN PROMOTING THESE EFFORTS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, IF IT'S WORKING THAT WE DO THE SAME THING.
>> I AGREE. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
WE ARE IN AN ERA WHERE WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER. SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, WHO HAS BEEN A CONSTANT CHAMPION AND BROUGHT THIS CCR FORWARD.
SO GLAD SHE'S ON THIS COMMITTEE WITH ME. WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB RESILIENCY. WE NEED TO CONSIDER OUR ENTIRE POPULATION AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE, WITH YOUR STATS, JUSTICE INVOLVED, AND HOW DO WE ELIMINATE THAT STIGMA. THERE ARE GOING TO BE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOBS BECAUSE OF FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS -- YOU CANNOT ACCESS SOME OF THE INFORMATION FROM PD. BUT THERE ARE OTHER CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOBS WHERE YOU CAN. AND YOU CAN WORK FOR US AND YOU CAN DO THIS JOB AND HOW ARE WE LEADING BY EXAMPLE. AND SO I REALLY AM VERY HAPPY -- WHENEVER WE CAN WORK WITH BEXAR COUNTY AND BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP AND MOVE FORWARD ON THE SAME PAGE. I THINK IT MOVES US, AS A CITY HERE IN TEXAS, FORWARD.
WHAT I'M ASKING AS WE HAVE -- AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL YOUR EFFORTS -- IS IN TERMS OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, WHEN WE PRIORITIZE THE SECOND CHANCE LEGISLATION -- BECAUSE NOT ALL OF US ARE ON IGR COMMITTEE. IF SALLY AND YOUR TEAM CAN WORK TOGETHER AND WORK WITH THE COMMITTEES THAT IVALIS MENTIONED, THEY CAN HEAD UP TO AUSTIN AND ALSO CAN HEAD UP TO D.C., WHEN NECESSARY, AND SEE WHERE THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD THERE. WE NEED TO GET OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND BACK TO WORK.
I THINK WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB RECOGNIZING WE ARE WORKING EVERY DAY AND TO ELIMINATE THAT STIGMA. I THINK AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT, IT NO LONGER BECOMES ONE OF THE QUESTIONS OF WE KNOW IT'S COMPETITIVE. WE KNOW IT'S COMPETITIVE FOR OUR HIRING AND OUR RECRUITMENT. AND IF THEY'RE LOOKING FOR DISCERNMENT, WE DO NOT WANT IT TO BE, OH, THEY WERE JUSTICE INVOLVED SO LET'S TAKE THEM OFF THE PILE. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT. WE WANTED TO GO BACK TO SKILL. CAN THEY GET THE JOB DONE? DO THEY SHOW UP ON TIME? DO THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ALIGN WITH? I THINK THIS IS HOW WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS CITY SUCCEED.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING A BRIEFING FROM SALLY ON WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW TO HEAD UP TO AUSTIN. I AM JUST ONE PERSON. I WILL DEFINITELY GO.
I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO WOULD, BUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IF YOU ARE HEADING UP, WE'LL GET YOU THAT ONE PAGER TOO SO WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU'RE READY TO GO ALSO.
THAT WAS OUR FINAL ITEM. THIS WAS FOR BRIEFING ONLY. THE TIME IS NOW 11:55 A.M.
[01:35:02]
AND THIS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED. OH.YEAH, WE DIDN'T --
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.