[00:01:18] >> MAYOR JONES: GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING. COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE'LL GET STARTED. OKAY. WE'VE GOT SIX. THE TIME IS NOW 9:06 A.M. ON MAY 21ST, AND THE MEETING OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL. QUORUM. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. TODAY'S INVOCATEUR IS MONSIGNOR ROB ROB WHO COMES FROM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE ANTIPOLO WHICH IS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES. HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST IN 1992, HIS ANNIVERSARY IS COMING UP AND RECEIVED HIS DEGREE IN SACRED THEOLOGY AFTER STUDYING IN ROOM FOR TWO YEARS. MONSIGNOR RIGOBERTO S. DE GUZMAN SERVED AS A PROFESSOR FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE MOVING TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ANTIPOLO. HE WAS THERE FOR 19 YEARS SERVING AROUND THE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS PAST FOUR BISHOPS. IN THE FALL OF 2021, MONSIGNOR WAS ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE MINISTRY TO MINISTER'S PROGRAM IN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY. NEGOTIATIONS WERE DONE BETWEEN HIS ARCHDIOCESE AND THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN ANTONIO TO SERVE AS A FORMATTER AT AASSUMPTION SEMINARY IN SAN ANTONIO. HE STARTED IN THE FALL OF 2023 AND WAS RECENTLY NAMED VICE-RECTOR AND DEAN OF MEN. MONSIGNOR, WE ARE HONORED BY YOUR PRESENCE. OVER TO YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. I COME FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE. AND IN RESPONSE THE YOUTH OF OUR COUNTRY, LIKE THE SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARE PRAYING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE. AS THE COMMON FILIPINO FACES MUCH SUFFERING AND HARDSHIP NOWADAYS. SO MAY THEIR PRAYERS COMBINED WITH OURS BLESS ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SO WE SETTLE DOWN AND MAKE OURSELVES AWARE OF GOD'S PRESENCE AND GOD'S GRACE. HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU LED YOUR PEOPLE OF EGYPT OUT OF EGYPT TO SEARCH FOR FREEDOM. IN JESUS YOUR SON YOU LED US FROM DEATH TO LIFE BY HIS PASSION, DEATH, RESURRECTION AND SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE YOU. STRETCH FORTH YOUR MIGHTY HAND AND LEAD US IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. LET THE LIGHT OF TRUTH SHINE LIKE A PILLAR OF CLOUD BY DAY AND A PILLAR OF FIRE BY [00:05:02] NIGHT TO GUIDE US ALONG THE PATH THAT LEADS TO UNITY AND PEACE. MAKE JUSTICE GUSH FORTH LIKE WATER FROM THE ROCK, QUENCHING THE 30S, ESPECIALLY OF THE -- THE 31ST ITS AND MARGINALLIZED SOCIETY, CLEANSING WOUNDS AND OPENING THE WAY TO HEALING AND RECONCILIATION. AS YOU FED PEOPLE WITH MANNA IN THE DESERT, SATISFY OUR HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT WE MAY NOT CRAVE FOR POWER AND WEALTH FOR SELFISH GAIN. SOFTEN HAZARD HARDENED BY PHARAOHS AND OPEN EYES BLINDED BY GREED THAT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CITY MAY TRIUMPH OVER ALL POLITICAL LOYALTIES AND PERSONAL INTERESTS. HELP US TO LEARN TO SEE EACH OTHER, NOT AS ALLIES OR ENEMIES, BUT AS WE TRULY ARE, BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALL CALLED TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. YOU INSPIRE US TO JOURNEY TOGETHER AS ONE PEOPLE. AS WE APPROACH THE GREAT FEAST OF PENTECOST, LET OUR PASSOVER BE FROM COWARDICE TO COURAGE, FROM DIVISION, UNITY. FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE. FROM SELFISHNESS TO LOVE. MAY THIS CITY CITY COUNCIL DISCOVER OUR GREATNESS AS A CITY OR NATION AND OUR DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY AS A PEOPLE DEAR TO OUR HEART. YOU WHO LIVE WITH LOVE AND WHO LEADS US FROM DEATH TO NEW LIFE NOW AND FOREVER. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AND JOIN ME FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. MEETINGS OF MAY 6TH AND 67TH, 2026. ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS OR EDITS TO THE MINUTES? ASK THERE A FREE TUITION THE MINUTES? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AAPPROVE THE MINUTES. PLEASE VOTE. KAUR JUST ARRIVED. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY. WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE YMCA HERE, SO PLEASE JOIN AT THE PODIUM WHILE I READ THIS PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RECOGNIZES JUNE 2026 AS YMCA UNITING GENERATIONS MONTH AND WILL HOST UNITING GENERATIONS DAY ON JUNE 6 IN CELEBRATION OF THE YMCA'S 150 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1876. AND WHEREAS THE YMCA OF GREATER SAN ANTONIO IS THE OLDEST SOCIAL SERVICES NON-PROFIT IN SAN ANTONIO SUPPORTING GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, CHILDCARE, SENIOR SERVICES AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. AND WHEREAS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS THE ORGANIZATION HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED OVER 3.3 MILLION INDIVIDUALS THROUGH LIFE-ENRICHING PROGRAMS, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SPONSORED MEMBERSHIPS THAT HELP ALL RESIDENTS THRIVE REGARDLESS OF PRUNED OR INCOME. AND WHEREAS THROUGH ITS FACILITIES PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS, THE YMCA OF GREATER SAN ANTONIO CONTINUES TO HELP WITH QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES TO LEARN, GROW AND CONNECT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS THE YMCA ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO WEAR RED ON JUNE 6 IN RECOGNITION OF THE YMCA'S ENDURING LEGACY AND IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ONGOING ACCESSIBLE [00:10:04] PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. NOW THEREFORE I, GINA ORTIZ JONES, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, IN RECOGNITION THEREOF, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2026, TO BE YMCA UNITING GENERATIONS MONTH IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. MR. LUIS LOPEZ, CEO, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF AND GUESTS. ON BEHALF OF THE YMCA OF GREATER SAN ANTONIO, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE EACH YEAR, THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR AND FOR RECOGNIZING 150 YEARS OF YMCA IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY. SINCE 1876 THE YMCA HAS STOOD ALONGSIDE THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO THROUGH GENERATIONS OF CHANGE, GROWTH, CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY. FOR A CENTURY AND A HALF THE YMCA HAS BEEN MORE THAN A BUILDING. IT HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN DISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL, WHERE FAMILIES FIND SUPPORT, WHERE SENIORS BUILD CONNECTIONS AND WHERE COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER WITH PURPOSE AND WITH HOPE. AS WE CELEBRATE 150 -- OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY UNDER THE THEME UNITING GENERATIONS, WE ARE REMINDED THAT THE YMCA'S GREATEST STRENGTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE. NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS, MENTORS GUIDING YOUTH, FAMILIES GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER AND COMMUNITIES PARTNERING COLLECTIVELY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTSS. THAT SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP IS ESPECIALLY WHY WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S LONG-STANDING SUPPORT AND CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN ORGANIZATIONS THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES EVERYDAY. PROGRAMS SUPPORTED THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE TODAY'S CONSOLIDATED FUNDING HELP TO PROVIDE STABILITY, WELLNESS, OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE FOR CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILIES ACROSS SAN ANTONIO. AT THE YMCA WE SEE FIRSTHAND HOW ACCESS TO SAFE SPACES, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, DROWNING PREVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, CHILDCARE, AFTER SCHOOL CARE AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES CAN CHANGE LIVES AND IMPROVE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES FOR FAMILIES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. THESE INVESTMENTS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN PROGRAMS, THEY ARE ABOUT CREATING OPPORTUNITY, STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOODS AND ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON HAS A CHANCE TO THRIVE. AS WE LOOK TOWARDS OUR FUTURE, INCLUDING THE OPENING OF OUR NEW GOLDEN HEARTMAN YMCA IN 2027, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO BUILDING A HEALTHIER, CONNECTED AND MORE INCLUSIVE SAN ANTONIO FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY'S LEADERSHIP, VISION AND CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP IN SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT MAKE A MEANING OF THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION, FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND FOR BELIEVING IN THE MISSION OF THE YMCA. WE ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT 150 YEARS. WE HAVE ALSO PUT MEDALS TO HONOR OUR 150 YEARS, ALTHOUGH FIESTA MIGHT BE OVER, WE STILL CELEBRATE, SO PLEASE ENJOY THE 150TH MEDAL. IN RECOGNIZE OF BASKETBALL BEING CREATED AT THE YMCA, GO SPURS GO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, MR. LOPEZ. ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I'M SO HONORED TO HAVE THE TRI POINT YMCA IN DISTRICT 1, IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT 1. AND BEING A PART OF IT I GOT TO SEE SUCH AMAZING COMMUNITY. WE LOVED IT WHEN IT WAS ON ST. MARY'S STREET, BUT IT WAS REALLY FUN TO SEE IT BACK ON BROADWAY. YOU GUYS JUST DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF SHOWING THE EXCITEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR HEALTHY LIVES. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND CAN'T WAIT TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH YOU ALL TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. I CAN'T HAVE YOU MENTION THE GORDON HARTMAN YMCA WITHOUT MENTIONING THE YMCA THAT SITS ON THE SOUTHSIDE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU'RE DOING. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PITCH THAT'S GOING TO BE BUILT THERE. IT HAS BECAUSE I WAS THERE AT THE OPENING AND ABLE TO SIGN UP. SO JUST REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 150 YEARS AND SEEING THIS COMMUNITY AND KNOWING THAT THERE'S YOUTH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT 50 YEARS FROM NOW WILL HOPEFULLY BE SITTING ON THE DAIS CELEBRATING ANOTHER BIRTHDAY WITH THE Y. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING ALL YEAR LONG. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: CONGRATULATIONS ON 150 YEARS. HOW MANY ORGANIZATIONS CAN SAY THAT. WHILE WE DON'T HAVE A YMCA IN DISTRICT 4 YET, I'M CONFIDENT WE WILL SOME DAY. IT'S JUST FANTASTIC THE WAY YOU ALL ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY [00:15:01] AND JUST HAVE ACTIVITIES THERE. SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF, RAÚL, ACTUALLY USED TO WORK AT THE YMCA AND HE STILL REMEMBERS IT FONDLY ORGANIZING GAMES FOR KIDS. SO THAT'S ONE OF MS. FAVORITE JOBS OTHER THAN WORKING FOR ME, OF COURSE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND ALL YOU DO IN SERVING SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS OF ALL AIMS. I'M ALWAYS EAGER WHEN YOU HAVE AN EVENT AT THE WESTSIDE Y AND THE COMMUNITY BUILDING YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED N THIS ROLE AS A COUNCILMEMBER WITHIN YOUR WESTSIDE Y I'VE BEEN ABLE TO RECONNECT WITH THE PARENTS OF CLASSMATES AND RECONNECT WITH CLASSMATES WHO HAVE BROUGHT THEIR CHILDREN IN FOR THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING OVER AT THE Y. JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL WORK THAT YOU DO AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND HEALTHY. I WANTED TO SHARE A QUICK ANECDOTE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I JOINED A SERVICE FOR ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. AND HIS SERVICE HIS WIFE HAD PHOTOS OF HIM PLAYING BASKETBALL, JUST -- HE WAS RIGGED OUT IN SPURS GEAR, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO GEAR BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE HIS KIDS WENT, BUT THE BACKGROUND WAS THE WESTSIDE Y. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING SENIORS A PLACE TO RECONNECT, BE ENGAGED AND BE HEALTHY. I KNOW THAT WAS A HUGE PART IN COACH'S STORY WAS THAT Y. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZÁLEZ. >> GONZÁLEZ: THANK YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. WE CELEBRATED 40TH ANNIVERSARIES FOR A COUPLE OF OTHER NON-PROFITS BUT THIS IS A BIG ONE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. WE DO NOT HAVE A YMCA IN DISTRICT 8. WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO HAVE ONE. WE WOULD LOVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH YOU SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' SENTIMENTS, AMAZING WORK THAT Y'ALL DO. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ANNIVERSARY. KEEP IT UP. SAN ANTONIO NEEDS YOU, SAN ANTONIO YOUTH REALLY NEEDS YOU. SO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I TOO WILL BE CELEBRATING MY 150TH BIRTHDAY. [LAUGHTER]. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I'M THINKING ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE THE YMCA IS ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES WHERE FAMILIES HAVE AFFORDABLE ACTIVITIES TO GO DO. SO I APPRECIATE THAT YOU PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SPORTS, FUN AND FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES BECAUSE, AGAIN, THAT'S SUCH A BIG REQUEST OF MY DISTRICT. THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND HERE'S TO 150,500 MORE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU AGAIN. YOUR WORK IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT. NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE A LONG LEGACY OF SERVICE, BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT'S COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, CUTS TO MEDICAID, MEDICARE, SNAP, YOUR WORK IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. THANK YOU. OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO IS RECOGNIZED FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. TODAY DURING THE 66TH NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS IN OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHO KEEP OUR CITY FUNCTIONING EVERYDAY. [APPLAUSE] PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES ARE OFTEN THE UNSEEN WORKFORCE BEHIND ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHERE RESIDENTS RELY ON THE MOST. THEY MAINTAIN OUR STREETS, DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, TRAFFIC OPERATIONS, PUBLIC FAMES AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORT THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SAN ANTONIO. WHETHER THEY ARE RESPONDING DURING A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT, REPAIRING INFRASTRUCTURE, MANAGING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS OR ENSURING RELIABLE DAY-TO-DAY PUBLIC SERVICES, THESE TEAMS WORK TIRELESSLY ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT WE DEPEND ON EVERYDAY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS AT EVERY LEVEL. TODAY WE PAY TRIBUTE TO THINK SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND ADVANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR SAN ANTONIANS. WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE I HAD A REALLY GREAT AND IMPACT OF THE MEETING WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM. I WAS LIKE THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROTECTING LIVES AND PROPERTY. AND I LOOKED UP WHEN IS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. AND WHEN I LOOKED IT UP THERE WAS A BIG PHOTO OF SAN ANTONIO'S PUBLIC WORKS TEAM FOR THE WORK AND LEADERSHIP THAT YOU ALL HAVE ESTABLISHED. I WANTED TO HAND IT OVER TO YOUR TEAM TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS. EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF YOU ALL EACH AND EVERYDAY. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AND COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR HIGHLIGHTING US. NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO [00:20:01] RECOGNIZE THE PEOPLE WHO PLAN, BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEEP THE CITY MOVING. PUBLIC WORKS IS ONE OF THE FEW SERVICES THAT TOUCHES EVERY RESIDENT EVERYDAY, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH OUR STREETS, OUR DRAINAGE AND TRAFFIC SYSTEMS OR THE FOLKS ANSWERING AND DISPATCHING CALLS OR MANAGING OUR RIGHTS OF WAY. MUCH OF THIS HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. PUBLIC WORKS AS YOU MENTIONED, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK. HIGHLIGHT IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THAT YOU ALL FUND AND WE IMPLEMENT, IT'S MORE THAN JUST CONCRETE AND ASPHALT. IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT -- THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE VIOLENTLY IMPORTANT TO IMPROVING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND QUALITY OF LIFE, ECONOMIC VITALITY, ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AND GROWTH. SO LASTLY, JUST THANK YOU AGAIN FOR RECOGNIZING THE TEAM BEHIND ME. THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THE GROUP. WE'RE 700 STRONG MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE EVERYDAY MAKING SAN ANTONIO BETTER. SO THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. I CAN'T NAME YOU ALL, BUT I REALLY WANTED TO THANK JAMES HALL FOR HIS WORK AND LEADERSHIP IN OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU, JAMES. [APPLAUSE]. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILWOMAN KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR BRINGING THIS UP TODAY. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I THINK PUBLIC WORKS ARE TRULY THE ROCK STARS IN THE CITY. I WAS READING A BOOK THIS WEEKEND AND THEY SAID IN AUDIO] AND EDUCATION, TRAFFIC IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS' LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT ART JUST SAID. I'M SUPER EXCITED FOR THE WORK THAT'S AHEAD AND CANNOT WAIT TO CONTINUE TO FIX ALL OF THE SIDEWALKS IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AS WE HIT THE LOTTERY FOR SIDEWALKS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. OF COURSE SOME OF YOU KNOW MY DAD WORKED FOR PUBLIC WORKS WHEN IT WAS NAMED ALL SORTS OF THINGS WHEN HE WAS ON CITY STAFF FOR 30 YEARS. THEY STARTED THE LIBRARY OVER AT ROOSEVELT, THEN THE TRAFFIC BUILDING OVER -- BECAUSE HE WORKED WITH THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS OVER ON CHERRY STREET. AND I ALWAYS GET EXCITED WHEN THEY KIND OF HIGHLIGHT YOU GUYS BECAUSE I THINK ABOUT MY DAD AND THE EFFORT AND THE COORDINATION. I THINK IT'S THE ONLY DEPARTMENT WHERE YOU GUYS ARE DOING TRAFFIC, YOU HAVE ENGINEERS, YOU HAVE CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE ALL TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER AND GET THESE PROJECTS DONE. AND SO MANY MOVING PARTS. IT WAS SO FUNNY BECAUSE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SPORTS ANALOGIES WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? IS THIS A BASKETBALL GAME, A FOOTBALL GAME? IT'S A HOCKEY GAME BECAUSE YOU NEVER GET A BREAK. AND THAT TRULY IS PUBLIC WORKS. THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR RECOGNIZING ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND EFFORTS. WE LOOK TO YOU JUST CONTINUING TO IMPROVE AND DO A BETTER JOB. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: PUBLIC WORKS, I'M SO GLAD YOU GUYS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED TODAY. I'VE WORKED WITH SO MANY OF YOU FOR SO MANY YEARS. I WAS JOKING WITH Y'ALL EARLIER AND SAYING I'M USED TO SEEING YOU ON THE STREET TALKING ABOUT SIDEWALK ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE MANY TIMES. CARLO, ANTHONY, Y'ALL HAVE BEEN -- IN D4 YOU'VE BEEN SWEATING OUT ON THE STREET WITH ME TALKING ABOUT SIDEWALKS, NEGOTIATING WITH YOU TO GET A RETAINING WALL OR GETTING AN EXTRA DRIVEWAY APPROACH. Y'ALL ARE JUST FANTASTIC. AND JESSICA WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. OF COURSE MARCOS AND GENEVIEVE. OUR OFFICE RUNS Y'ALL PRETTY HARD. EVERYDAY THERE'S A PUBLIC WORKS ISSUE IN D4 AND Y'ALL ALWAYS RESPOND AND YOU'RE VERY KIND TO OUR RESIDENTS. THE BEST PART IS WHEN I TAKE YOU OUT THERE AND THE GUY WHO IS COMPLAINING WAS A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE. AND HE SAYS YOU CAN'T TELL ME YOU CAN'T DO THIS. OR IT'S THIS ASPHALT, NOT THAT ASPHALT. EVERY TIME I ASK YOU TO COME OUT TO A SITE VISIT, YOU GUYS SHOW UP. I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK Y'ALL. LOVE YOU BUNCHES. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO FOR INITIATING THIS. I'M JUST GOING TO QUICKLY ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' COMMENTS. Y'ALL ARE AMAZING. WE RUN Y'ALL HARD TOO. THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WITH US. THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WITH OUR RESIDENTS. AND -- BUT I WILL SAY THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF THE JOB WHEN WE'RE ABLE TO DELIVER TO RESIDENTS SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE BEEN ASKING FOR. I MEAN, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT SIDEWALKS AND THE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING, THEY FEEL, AND IT'S PROBABLY TRUE, THAT THEY'VE BEEN ASKING FOR IT TO 50 YEARS. SO IT'S AWESOME WHEN WE'RE THEM. THANKS. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, ART, AS WELL. WE KNOW YOU'RE RELATIVELY NEW, COMING TO THE CITY, BUT I HAVE SEEN JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOUR WORK IS IN PARTICULAR, ONE, WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGET SESSIONS IN [00:25:04] THE DISTRICTS. AND YOU DO A GREAT JOB, SIR, OF EXPLAINING TO FOLKS KIND OF WHY THINGS ARE THE WAY THAT THEY ARE, WHEN THEY CAN EXPECT TO SEE A CHANGE. WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET PRETTY BUSY HERE NOT ONLY WITH THE BUDGET, BUT WOOLS THE BOND, AS WELL AS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE PROJECTS THAT MAY NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. [APPLAUSE] ERIK, OVER TO YOU FOR A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. OUR CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE THIS MORNING IS A SPOTLIGHT ON ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT, OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND HIGHLIGHTS TWO EMPLOYEES THAT REALLY WORK AS PART OF A LARGER TEAM TO MAINTAIN OUR PARKS WITH OVER 250 CITY-OWNED PARKS, MAINTAINING AND CLEANING AND ENSURING THAT THOSE AREAS ARE SAFE, IT IS A HUGE TEAM EFFORT AND I KNOW ALL OF YOU ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF THE WORK THIS TEAM DOES BOTH THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN THIS VIDEO. LET'S ROLL THE VIDEO. >> MY ROLE HERE IS MAINTENANCE WORKER. I GO TO MY PARKS, MAINTAIN THE PARKS FOR THE COMMUNITY, KEEPING IT A SAFE ZONE FOR FAMILIES TO COME OUT AND ENJOY AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> MY ROLE AS A CAREER IS TO PROVIDE DAILY SUPPORT TO THE CREWS. WE CREATE SCHEDULES FOR THE CREWS BASED ON THE DAILY USE FOR PARKS. I PERSONALLY DO WALK-THROUGHS AT THE PARKS AND MAKE SURE OUR PARKS ARE UP TO STANDARDS. >> THIS WEEKEND IS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR US, WHICH IS THE HARDEST WEEKEND. WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAVELERS, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME OUT TO THE PARKS TO RESERVE. >> FAMILIES COME TOGETHER, BARBECUING, CASCARONE HUNTING AND CAMPING OWEN JOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS THAT SAN ANTONIO PROVIDES. >> WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEE IS WHAT TAKES PLACE AFTER THE CELEBRATION. WE HAVE CREWS PICKING UP ALL THE TRASH THAT IS BEING LEFT BEHIND, JUST PUTTING OUR PARK BACK TO STANDARDS. WITHIN ONE DAY PRETTY MUCH SO THAT THE FAMILIES CAN KEEP ON ENJOYING IT FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKS TO COME. >> THE MOST GRATIFYING ASPECT OF MY JOB IS KEEPING OUR PARKS CLEAN, MAKING IT A SAFE ZONE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY, AND KNOWING THAT MY JOB IS WORTH DOING. MY DEPARTMENT EXEMPLIFIES TEAMWORK BY GETTING TOGETHER, GET THE JOB DONE AND MAKING THE PARKS CLEAN FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY. >> I BELIEVE OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PRIDES ITSELF IN INTEGRITY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH OUR PATRONS DON'T SEE HOW MUCH WORK IT TAKES ON A DAILY BASIS TO KEEP OUR PARKS CLEAN, OUR TEAMS ARE HERE DAILY. WHAT I ENJOY BEST ABOUT WORKING FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PARKS AND RECREATION IS CREATING MEMORIES FOR FAMILIES, PARENTS BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN, GRANDPARENTS NOW BRINGING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, WHICH IS A GENERATIONAL MEMORY THAT WE'RE A PART OF. [APPLAUSE] >> THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, ERIK. THERE ARE NO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY, ITEMS 5 THROUGH 18 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. I UNDERSTAND COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA IS GOING TO -- HAS REQUESTED A SEPARATE VOTE ON ITEM 18, SO HE WE MAY REREDUCE HIMSELF FROM VOTING ON FUNDS FOR GUARDIAN HOUSE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ROBS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY? OKAY. HEARING NONE. WE HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, MINUS NUMBER 18. THE FIRST PERSON IS ELLEN CLARK. ELLEN CLARK, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. ELLEN CLARK? OKAY. JAMES MCKNIGHT? OKAY. NO LONGER NEEDED. OKAY. THOSE ARE THE ONLY INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY HIGHLIGHTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA FROM ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS? [00:30:01] OTHER THAN COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO -- COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED. >> CASTILLO: THIS HORNING I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT AN ITEM ON BEHALF OF COUNCILMEMBER RICK GALVAN, THE APPOINTMENT OF SANDRA TYSON TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMISSION. CASSANDRA TYSON IS A PROUD AIR FORCE BRAT. WHEN ASKED WHERE SHE IS FROM OUR DEFINITIVE ANSWER IS SHE MAKES ARTISAN JULIE AND A LINE OF BODY BUTTER. COUNCILMAN GALLON SAN SAYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STEPPING UP AND BEING HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 5, WHICH IS APPROVING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS ALONG CULEBRA ROAD FROM BANDERA AND GENERAL MCMULLEN. IT WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON SAFETY AND WALKABILITY ALONG ONE OF SAN ANTONIO'S BUSIEST CORRIDORS. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY NEIGHBORS IN THE CULEBRA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS ON THIS CORRIDOR COME TO LIFE. ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S VISION ZERO REPORT, CULEBRA IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ROADS IN SAN ANTONIO. NOT ONLY ARE THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO A LONG RANGE INVESTMENT ON OUR WESTSIDE, BUT THEY ARE ALSO A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT AND TO CONTINUE PRIORITIZING THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ITEM 18. PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES, THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 18 AS IT WAS PULLED FOR RECUSEAL BY COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION. >> ITEM AN 18 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $19,274,266 IN CONSOLIDATING FUNDING AWARDS WITH HUMAN SERVICES AND HOMELESS SERVICES AND STRATEGY DELEGATE AGENCIES FOR A 16-MONTH CONTRACT TERM FROM JUNE 1, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, WITH AN OPTION TO RENEW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2028, CONTINGENT ON CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE TO SPEAK. I'LL CALL THE INDIVIDUALS UP IN ORDER THAT THEY SIGNED UP. THE FIRST PERSON IS KAYLA CARTER. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES AND GROUPS OF THREE OR MORE WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF NINE MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS KAYLA CARTER, I'M THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF FOR HER, A COMMUNITY OF WOMEN AND ALLIES DELIVERING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE THROUGH SHARED KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES SINCE 2013. FOR OVER 13 YEARS FOR HER HAS PROVIDED INFORMED HEALTH CARE AND WELLNESS SERVICES, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN ACROSS EVERY ZIP CODE AND EVERY DISTRICT AND EVERY INCOME BRACKET IN SAN ANTONIO. WE SPECIFICALLY SERVE SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE AND WITH SAN ANTONIO HOLDING THE HIGHEST RATES OF RAPE AND MURDER AMONG ALL MAJOR TEXAS CITIES, THESE WOMEN DESERVE STABLE, RELIABLE SUPPORT. OUR APPROACH DOESN'T JUST ADDRESS SYMPTOMS, WE ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES TO WOMEN MOVE BEYOND NEEDING OUR SERVICES. THAT MEANS FEWER EMERGENCY CALLS ON ALREADY STRETCHED POLICE FORCES AND LOWER LONG-TERM COST TO THE CITY. THE UPSTREAM COST EFFECTIVE WORK, WE ARE A VITAL PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM OF SUPPORT, RECEIVING REFERRALS FROM OTHER DELEGATE AGENCIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY FUNDED. I WANT TO SHARE ONE VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY, CARRIE, 32, WHO IS FROM SAN ANTONIO, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY BUT SHE HAD SIGNED UP TO SPEAK LAST WEEK. IN FACT, WE HAD 10 COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK LAST WEEK ON OUR BEHALF. I STARTED RECEIVING SERVICES AT FOR HER IN MAY OF 2025. I BEGAN ATTENDING THEIR TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA, WHICH COMBINED WITH MY RECOVERY MEETINGS, HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ME HEAL FROM AN ABUSIVE SITUATION THAT I LEFT. BEFORE YOGA I HAD NIGHTMARES, NAUSEA AND I HEALTH HOPELESS. I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE FREE RESOURCES FOR HER HAS PROVIDED ME. COMBINED WITH THERAPY I AM DOING BETTER ONE DAY AT A TIME. THANK YOU FOR HER. THAT IS WHAT THIS INVESTMENT PRODUCES. AS DHS HAS NOTED IN THEIR OWN REPORT LAST MONTH FOR OUR SERVICES, FOR HER IS CHANGING LIVES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP WOMEN HEAL AND TRANSFORM. OUR PERFORMANCE REVIEW HAD NOTHING BUT POSITIVE [00:35:01] FEEDBACK. OUR TRACK RECORD -- WE ARE ON TRACK TO HIT OR EXCEED OUR PERFORMANCE TARGETS FOR THIS LAST CONTRACT. OUR OUTCOMES ARE MEASURABLE. 91% OF THOSE IN OUR SUPPORT GROUPS REPORT IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH. 34% REPORT IMPROVED ECONOMIC STATUS INSIDE OF A YEAR OF SERVICE. AND WHEN WE ADD ON CHILDCARE FOR MOTHERS, PARTICIPATION HAS JUMPED UP 58%. OUR CLIENTS SHOW UP WHEN WE REMOVE THE BARRIERS. OUR COMPETITIVE SCORE OUTCOMES SPEAK FOR ITSELF. WE RECEIVED A '90 .6 OUT OF 100, RANKING 16TH OUT OF THE 125 PROPOSED PROJECTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TO DHS CONSOLIDATED FUNDING CATEGORY CITYWIDE. THIS WORK IS PERSONAL, WE HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. TO UPHOLD WOMEN THAT WE ARE SERVING AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO GAPS IN SERVICES. SO I JUST ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO INVEST AND BELIEVE IN THE RESILIENCE OF WOMEN THAT WE SERVE. INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT TURN IT SURVIVING INTO THRIVING AND VOTE YES ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 18. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. BETHANY ANDERSON. >> GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR. MY NAME IS BETHANY ANDERSON. TODAY I'M HERE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBER MAY. SHE'S A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, PROUD DISTRICT 2 RESIDENT AND MEMBER OF [INDISCERNIBLE]. THIS IS THE TESTIMONY SHE HAS PREPARED FOR YOU TODAY AS A PLEA FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN FUNDING FOR HER. QUOTE, I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY AND SECURITY I HAVE CREATED FOR MYSELF THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF FOR HER. AND BECAUSE I WANT MY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PUT A FACE TO WHO IS ACTUALLY AT STAKE IN THIS FUNDING DECISION. WHEN I WAS FIRST CONNECTED WITH FOR HER, I WAS NOT IN THE POSITION I AM IN TODAY. FOR HER OFFERED ME A PATH FORWARD I COULDN'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE, A PATH THAT SURVEYS AND OUTCOME METRICS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO MEASURE. ARRIVING IN SAN ANTONIO IN 2021 AS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, I ATTENDED FOR HER SINGLE MOMS GROUP TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY IN A NEW CITY. EXPERIENCING JOB INSTABILITY THROUGHOUT 2022 ALONG WITH THE RIGOROUS REQUIREMENTS ACCOMPANYING MANY SOCIAL SERVICE APPLICATIONS, I USED FOR HER'S COMMUNITY CO-WORKING SPACE TO FILL OUT MOUNTAINS OF PAPERWORK. AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT I WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE OVER A YEAR OF NO-COST THERAPY TO AID IN MY HEALING. THIS YEAR AFTER A YEAR, RELIABILITY IS EXACTLY WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR WOMEN LIKE ME. I AM UNSURE WHAT CHART CAN ACCURATELY DEMONSTRATE WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THIS COMMUNITY MEMBER TO. SHE CAN CONFIDENTLY ADVOCATE FOR HERSELF AND OTHERS, BUT I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAPPENS AND IS INVALUABLE. FOR HER HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD. THE CITY'S OWN EVALUATION REFLECTS THAT. THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS NOW ON RECORD. I'M ASKING EACH OF YOU TO AFFIRM IT. FUNDING FOR HER IS NOT A LEAP OF FAITH, IT'S AN INVESTMENT AND SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY WORKING. IF THIS CITY IS SERIOUS ABOUT PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, THEN THE RECOVERY PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS THEM REBUILD THEIR LIVES HAS TO BE A PART OF THAT COMMITMENT. YOU CANNOT ASK FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FOR HER TO DO MORE WITH LESS YEAR AFTER YEAR WHEN THE PROOF THEY ARE DELIVERING STANDS BEFORE YOU. I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE IN MY HOME AND CITY WITHOUT A FIRST HAND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES OUR CITY FACES AND THAT'S WHAT IS WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR THE WOMEN HERE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES TODAY. IF YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. JOHN BUSTEMAN. >> CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JOHN BUSTEMONTE. TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU RETAIN FUNDING FOR FOR HER AT THE 50,000-DOLLAR ANNUAL LEVEL THAT IS CURRENTLY BEFORE YOU IN ITEM 18. FOR HER IS AN IMPACTFUL LOCAL PROGRAM COMBATING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ECONOMIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SAN ANTONIO. I AM A PROUD SAN ANTONIAN, A PROUD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 5, AND THE PROUD FATHER TO TWO DAUGHTERS. I AM NOT PROUD, HOWEVER, OF THE HISTORY AND PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THIS CITY. I KNOW THAT EACH OF YOU ARE DETERMINED THAT WE AS A CITY ADDRESS THIS VIOLENCE AND ITS EFFECTS AND ITS SOURCE. FOR HER PROVIDES STRATEGIC SERVICES TO SURVIVORS FOR THE LONG-TERM. THIS LONG-TERM CARE IS CRITICAL TO ENSURE THAT THE SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE DON'T MERELY GET BY, BUT THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AS YOU HEARD FROM MS. CARTER AND FROM THE STORY TOLD ON BEHALF OF MY FRIEND MAY, FOR HER HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD PROVIDING LONG-TERM COUNSELING SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE CITY. THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE CITY'S FINAL SCORING MATRIX. [00:40:04] FOR HER SCORED REMARKABLY WELL. IT WAS ONE OF THE TOP SIX IN ITS CATEGORY FOR THIS RFP. WITHIN THREE POINTS OF THE NEXT FIVE APPLICANTS. WITHIN .6 POINTS OF THE TWO NEAREST APPLICANTS. AND .2 POINTS FROM THE CLOSEST APPLICANT, OUT OF 100 TOTAL POINTS. FOR HER IS A PROGRAM THAT WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING TO THE COUNTY OR THE CHURCH FOR THESE SERVICES. FOR HER IS A PROGRAM WORTH SUPPORTING AND IF YOU WANT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS CITY IS SERIOUS ABOUT ADDRESSING DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, THIS COUNCIL SHOULD SUPPORT IT. PLEASE ENSURE THAT THIS WORTHWHILE PROGRAM KEEPS THE FUNDING THAT IS OFFERED TO THEM. I OF COURSE HOPE THAT MY DAUGHTERS WILL NEVER NEED THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY FOR HER, BUT IF THEY DO, I'M THANKFUL THAT FOR HER IS HERE IN OUR CITY AREN'T R AND I'M ASKING YOU TO FUND IT FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ALL THE DAUGHTERS OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. STEPHANIE CORTEZ. FOLLOWED BY FATIMA AND THEN JESSICA. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, MAYOR JONES, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY STAFF, FOR OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY AND FOR YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GIRL SCOUTS. I AM STEPHANIE CORTEZ, THE CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS. WE HAVE LOCATIONS IN DISTRICT 9 AND DISTRICT 5 AND WE HAVE THEM IN ALL 10 CITY COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICTS. I WOULD LIKE TO CEDE THE REST OF MY TIME TO ONE OF OUR GIRL SCOUT ALUMS, RACHEL. >> GOOD MORNING. I WAS A GIRL SCOUT FOR 12 YEARS AND I JUST FINISHED MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. THE MISSION OF GIRL SCOUTS IS TO BUILD GIRLS IN COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER SOMEPLACE N MY EXPERIENCE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. FIRST IS COURAGE. GIRL SCOUTS GAVE ME A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT TO TRY NEW THINGS, TAKE RISKS AND EXPLORE MY INTERESTS WITHOUT FEAR OF FAILURE WHETHER IT WAS THROUGH GROUP ACTIVITIES, SUMMER CAMP, I WAS CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGED OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE. THIS SENSE OF COURAGE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE MY INTERESTS ULTIMATELY LED ME TO PURSUE MY GIRL SCOUT TO THE HIGHEST AWARD IN GIRL SCOUTS. I FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMB CLIMATE CHANGE: I HAVE A GOAL OF BECOMING AN AISLE LAWYER. SECOND IS CONFIDENCE. GIRL SCOUTS GIVE ME CONFIDENCE TO LEAD WHETHER IN MY TROOP OR THE COMMUNITY. GIRL SCOUTS GAVE ME COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO BE AROUND STRONG FEMALE LEADERS. THEY WERE EXAMPLES OF WHAT LEADERSHIP COULD LOOK LIKE IN MY OWN LIFE AND HELPED ME ENVISION MYSELF AS A COMMUNITY LEADER. THIRD, CHARACTER, GIRL SCOUTS TAUGHT ME ABOUT GIVING BACK AND CARING FOR OTHERS IN A VERY INTENTIONAL WAY. AT THE SCORE OF SCOUTS GOUTS IS THE GIRL SCOUTS PROMISE OF LAW, MAKING ETHICAL DECISIONS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THOSE AREN'T JUST WORDS THAT GIRL SCOUTS LEARN, THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOW UP FOR AND CARRY INTO COMMUNITIES AND NOW I CARRY THEM INTO ADULTHOOD. ACCESS TO THIS CHANGES OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE. THEY STAY ENGAGED IN SCHOOL, DEVELOP THEIR STRENGTHS AND BEGIN TO ENVISION FUTURES THAT AND CAREERS. THEY BECOME LEADERS WHO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THE PROPOSED FUNDING ALLOCATIONS. I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN PROGRAMS LIKE GIRL SCOUTS BECAUSE AN INVESTMENT IN YOUNG PEOPLE IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. FATIMA ESPINOZA. FOLLOWED BY JESSICA SMITH PERRY AND THEN GABRIEL GUZMAN. >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING MAYOR JONES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE REPRESENTING ADVANCES SAN ANTONIO. MY NAME IS FATIMA ESPINOZA AND I SERVE AS A PARENT-CHILD EDUCATION MANAGER FOR ADVANCES SAN ANTONIO. OUR MISSION IS TO WALK ALONGSIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL JUSTICE. ADVANCES WAS FOUNDED 53 YEARS AGO HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. AND SINCE THEN THE GROUP HAS BEEN IMPRESSED. CURRENTLY WE ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MODEL FOR THE MODEL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD [00:45:03] AND PLANNING ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE PROUD OF THIS LEGACY THAT BELONGS TO SAN ANTONIO. AND WE CONTINUE SERVING THE FAMILIES IN SAN ANTONIO ALL AROUND THE CITY. AT THE HEART OF THE WORK IS THE PARENT-CHILD EDUCATION PROGRAM OR PCEP. A TWO-GENERATION APPROACH THAT SUPPORTS BOTH PARENT AND CHILDREN TOGETHER THROUGH EDUCATION, EARLY LEARNING ACTIVITIES, HOME VISITS, TOY-MAKING CLASSES AND CONNECTIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AROUND THE CITY THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THE PARENTS AND THEY GAIN THAT CONFIDENCE AND RECEIVE THE TOOLS TO BECOME THE CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER AND THE STRONGEST ADVOCATE FOR THEM. THE OUTCOMES ARE CLEAR. 97% OF THE FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, THEY EXPRESS THEY ARE HIGHLY SATISFIED WITH OUR PROGRAM AND THAT THEY WILL BE REFERRING THE PROGRAM TO OTHER FAMILIES. CHILDREN ALSO THRIVE. THEY GAIN 93% THEY MEET OR EXCEED THE [INDISCERNIBLE], TALKING ABOUT COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, LANGUAGE AND ALL THOSE AREAS THAT COMPONENTS OF A WHOLE CHILD. IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS OVER 700 FAMILIES BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN WILL BE CROSSING THE STAGE GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM. THIS MILESTONE IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF COLLABORATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF LEADERS LIKE YOU WHO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING FAMILIES EARLY. WE ALSO ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS LIKE SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HARLANDALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THIS HELPS BRING SERVICES DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMUNITIES WHEN THE FAMILIES NEED IT THE MOST. AND THE JOURNEY CONTINUES WITH. >> HI, GOOD MORNING. AS OUR FAMILIES CONTINUE TO PROGRESS AND GROW, OUR SUPPORT CONTINUES WITH THEM. SO ONE PROGRAM IS WHERE THEY CAN HAVE ACCESS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, CAREER EXPLORATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP THEM GAIN LONG-TERM MOBILITY --D OPPORTUNITIES. >> MAYOR JONES: MA'AM, ARE YOU JESSICA SMITH PERRY? YOU ARE NOT? OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: JESSICA SMITH PERRY. FOLLOWED BY GABRIELLE GUZMAN AND THEN DIANA FLORES. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR JONES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. EXCUSE ME. MY NAME IS JESSICA SMITH PERRY AND I THINK MAYBE A FEW OF US ARE HAVING TROUBLE TALKING TODAY BECAUSE OF ALL THE SCREAMING WITH THE SPURS GAMES. I SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE TEAMS FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN ANTONIO. I'M HERE WITH DEEP GRATITUDE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING, CONTINUING TO FUND OUR CITY'S VITAL YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS. SAN ANTONIO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CITY THAT BELIEVES IN FAMILY, OPPORTUNITY AND COMMUNITY. NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIPS, THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE ARE ESSENTIAL TO SAN ANTONIO'S PRESENT AND FUTURE. EVERYDAY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SAFE PLACES, CARING ADULTS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, FUN, MEALS AND MORE. ULTIMATELY THE AUDIO]. DURING THE HOURS AFTER SCHOOL AND DURING BREAKS WHEN MANY PARENTS ARE STILL WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK, THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE SAFETY, COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION FOR CHILDREN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT. I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF THESE CHILDREN. WHEN CONNOR CAME TO US IN SECOND GRADE, HE COULD BARELY READ. THROUGH THE CONSISTENT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF STAFF, HE FOUND THE CLAP. HE WORKED HARD. AND BY THIRD GRADE HIS TEACHER TOLD US THAT HE HAD BECOME THE LEADING READER IN HIS CLASS. HIS PARENTS CREDIT THE CLUB WITH HELPING OPEN DOORS FOR HIS FUTURE. THAT TRANSFORMATION IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST LITERACY. >> ABOUT CONFIDENCE, BELONGING. A CHILD LEARNING TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS CAPABLE OF MORE. ONE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO I'LL CALL WHITNEY TRIED TO END HER LIFE RECENTLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, STILL WITH THOUGHTS OF ENDING HER LIFE, SHE TOLD HER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB COUNSELOR, THE ONLY PERSON SHE FELT SAFE TELLING. THAT COUNSELOR AND THE TEAM RALLIED AROUND HER AND HER FAMILY, EXCUSE ME, GOT HER INTO TREATMENT AND IS CONTINUING TO SUPPORT HER AND HER SIBLINGS WHO ALL COME TO THE CLUB. THESE ARE NOT EXTRAS OR UNNECESSARY SERVICES, THEY ARE PREVENTATIVE INVESTMENTS THAT WE NEED TODAY AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE. EVERYDAY DOLLAR INVESTED IN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS RETURNS [00:50:02] MORE THAN $12 IN ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THAT IS THE POWER OF INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH EARLY. THE KIDS WE INVEST IN TODAY WILL BECOME THE WORKFORCE, THE LEADERS AND OUR NEIGHBORS WHO SHAPE SAN ANTONIO'S TOMORROW. I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE FULL CONSOLIDATED FUNDING RECOMMENDATION FOR OUR YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN ANTONIO AND ALL OF MY PEER ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] GABRIELLE GUZMAN, DIANA FLORES, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY BEHIND THE SPEAKER. AND THEN JEREMY MAGINAL WILL BE THE NEXT SPEAKER. THREE MINUTES, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING MAYOR JONES AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN ANTONIO. YOUR INVESTMENT HELPS PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SAFE SPACES, SPOKE MENTORS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, MEALS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR CITY. MY NAME IS GABRIELLE AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT ONLY AS A STAFF MEMBER OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, BUT AS SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE WAS PERSONALLY CHANGED BECAUSE OF THIS ORGANIZATIONMENT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER THE CLUB WAS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS. IT WAS OUR SAFE PLACE, A PLACE WHERE WE COULD SIMPLY BE KIDS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING OUTSIDE THOSE DOORS. IT WAS WHERE WE RECEIVED HOT MEALS, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT AND STABILITY DURING SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT YEARS OF OUR LIVES. THE CLUB GAVE US OPPORTUNITIES MANY FAMILIES CANNOT ALWAYS ACCESS ON THEIR OWN. THROUGH TUTORING, MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS WE LEARNED CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY AND HOW TO BELIEVE IN OUR POTENTIAL. THE CLUB DID NOT JUST KEEP US SAFE AFTER SCHOOL, IT HELPED PREPARE US FOR OUR FUTURE. AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THE PERSON I AM TODAY WAS SHAPED BY THE GUIDANCE, SUPPORT THAT I RECEIVED AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. NOW AS AN ADULT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING THAT SAME IMPACT HAPPEN EVERYDAY HERE FOR YOUTH IN SAN ANTONIO. FAMILIES ACROSS OUR CITY COME THROUGH OUR DOORS LOOKING FOR THE SAME THING MY FAMILY ONCE DID, SAFETY, OPPORTUNITY AND HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN'S FUTURE. EVERY AFTERNOON PARENTS ARE ABLE TO WORK KNOWING THAT CHILDREN ARE IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. STUDENTS RECEIVE TUTORING AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT THAT STRENGTHEN BOTH THEIR EDUCATION AND CONFIDENCE. AND FOR SOME MEMBERS, THE MEALS THEY RECEIVE AT THE CLUB IS MORE THAN DINNER, IT IS CONSISTENCY, CARE AND COMFORT THEY CAN COUNT ON. THAT HAPPENS INSIDE OUR CLUBS AND REACHES FAR BEYOND SCHOOL HOURS. WE ARE HELPING SHAPE FUTURE LEADERS, TEACHERS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENGAGED MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY. THESE OUTCOMES ARE NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSES, THEY'RE INVESTMENTS IN A SAFER, HEALTHIER AND THAT IS WHY I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PROPOSED FUNDING ALLOCATED BEFORE YOU TODAY. THE FUNDING REPRESENTS A PROACTIVE INVESTMENT IN A LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF OUR YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY. TODAY I ASK YOU TO CONTINUE VIEWING NONPROFIT FUNDING AS A PARTNERSHIP IN FUELING THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY. THE DECISIONS HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF A CHILD'S LIFE. WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN CONTINUE ENSURING THAT NO CHILD IS LEFT WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO GO AFTER SCHOOL. A CARING MENTOR WHO BELIEVES IN THEM OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM BEYOND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF SAN ANTONIO. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. DIANA FLORES. DIANA FLORES. DIANA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO -- >> JACK FINGER. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE TO SAY THAT A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO COME IN AND SPEAK ON A LOT OF STUFF THAT'S BEEN DONE TO THEM WRONGFULLY. AND ALL THIS CONGESTION AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES AROUND THE CITY, DEVELOPING. TAXES GOING UP AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THESE HOMELESS, THEY CAN'T, YOU KNOW, DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS SO THEY WIND UP LOSING THEIR JOBS. HOMELESS. I THINK A LOT OF THIS IS BECAUSE Y'ALL DON'T PUT INTO IT ENOUGH. INSTEAD, Y'ALL TAKE OUT. [00:55:08] THEY WOULD LIVE HAPPIER IF THEY WOULD BE GIVEN, YOU KNOW, STABILITY, YOU KNOW. HELPING THEM OUT. YES, THEIR AFRAID. I HAVE A NOTE I WANT TO READ TO YOU. I'M GLAD THAT Y'ALL ARE FUNDING THIS HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS, YOU KNOW, BUT IT NEEDS MORE MONEY. Y'ALL GIVE OUT MORE FOR THE DEVELOPERS, GIVE THEM TAX BREAKS. BUT PUT IT INTO THE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS. FOR THE HOLY TRINITY -- I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE EVER HEARD THIS PRAYER, FOR THE HOLY TRINITY IS GOD AND JESUS TOGETHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WRAPPED UP IN ONE. FATHER, SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU ARE PROTECTED. YOU ARE PERFECT LOVE. YOU DRAW ME INTO YOUR LIFE, MAKING ME A GIFT OF YOUR MUTUAL LOVE. THANK YOU FOR THIS IMMENSE GIFT. MAY YOUR SPIRIT DRAW WITHIN ME AND EVERYONE ALL AROUND WHO HEARS THIS PRAYER SO THAT YOUR DIVINE SELF GIVEN MAY BE GLORIOUS IN ABUNDANCE. GOD BLESS Y'ALL. HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, JEREMY MADGENELL, FOLLOWED BY THE FINAL SPEAKER, JACK FINGER. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND STAFF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY AND FOR YOUR DECISION TO DEDICATE FUNDING TO DELEGATE AGENCIES DOING CRITICAL WORK ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. MY NAME IS JEREMY AND I AM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SA YOUTH. I KNOW THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT EASY. BUDGETS ARE TIGHT EVERYWHERE RIGHT NOW. AT SA YOUTH WE UNDERSTAND THAT FIRSTHAND . EVERY ORGANIZATION, EVERY DEPARTMENT, AND EVERY FAMILY IS BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS. SO I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS INVESTMENT DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. SINCE 1984, SA YOUTH HAS SERVED YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS SAN ANTONIO. WE ARE NOT A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, WE ARE A LOCAL, GRASSROOTS, NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON MEETING THE CITY AND THE YOUTH IN THIS CITY WHERE IT'S AT. AND WE DO THIS IN THE HEART OF THE 7827 ON THE HISTORIC WEST SIDE. AS A RESULT OF OUR PROGRAM, WE HAVE BUILT A MODEL THAT REENGAGES MORE THAN 100 OPPORTUNITY YOUTH EVERY YEAR IN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PREPARATION, COMBINED WITH ROBUST CASE MANAGEMENT AND BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY. ALL AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE. AND WE DO THIS WITH GOODWILL, YWCA, CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES, HEALTHY FUTURES OF TEXAS AND JUVENILE PROBATION. THEY COME FROM 55 ZIP CODES REPRESENTING EVERY SINGLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT . MANY OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THINGS: INSTABILITY, HARDSHIP, TRAUMA, HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, OR SIMPLY FEELING LIKE THE SYSTEM GAVE UP ON THEM. BUT THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON THEMSELVES. AND HONESTLY SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS ONE PERSON, ONE PROGRAM, OR ONE SECOND CHANCE FOR A YOUNG PERSON TO COMPLETELY CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIFE. OPPORTUNITY YOUTH NEED US BUT THE TRUTH IS WE NEED THEM DO. THESE YOUNG ADULTS ARE PART OF SAN ANTONIO'S FUTURE WORKFORCE, FUTURE PARENTS, FUTURE LEADERS, AND FUTURE TAXPAYERS. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE H HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT COST THE ECONOMY APPROXIMATELY $272,000 OVER THEIR LIFETIME THROUGH LOWER TAX CONTRIBUTIONS, HIGHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE USAGE, AND INCREASED INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT A DIPLOMA IS NEARLY DOUBLE THAT OF GRADUATES. WHEN WE INVEST IN PROGRAMS LIKE SOAR AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SA YOUTH , WE ARE NOT JUST FUNDING PROGRAMS, WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO. WE ARE REDUCING FUTURE BURDENS ON TAXPAYERS. WE ARE CREATING OPPORTUNITY, STABILITY, AND HOPE. AND WE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. NOT FORGOTTEN AND NOT [01:00:02] ABANDONED. THAT THEY MATTER. THAT THEY ARE WORTH INVESTING IN AND IN SAN ANTONIO WE BELIEVE IN SECOND CHANCES. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALL HAVE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO MAKE REGARDING WHERE THESE FUNDS GO AND HOW THEY CAN BEST SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. SO WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE EFFORT THAT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO MAKING THESE DECISIONS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE, AND YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR YOUTH. AND FINALLY, GO SPURS GO! >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. OUR FINAL SPEAKER, JACK FINGER. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 18, SAVE AND EXCEPT FOR FUNDING HOUSE. >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE . >> MAYOR JONES: KAUR SECONDED. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I'M IN SUPPORT OF APPROVING THESE ITEMS TODAY BUT I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CONTINUING THE STATUS QUO MOVING FORWARD. I RESPECT THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS AND THE HARD WORK THAT EVERYONE ON THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE HAS PUT INTO THIS BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER AN OVERHAUL TO THIS PROCESS. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE CITY IS INVESTING IN DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING THAT WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE ON ISSUES. RIGHT NOW TODAY WE'RE GIVING $50,000 CONTRACTS TO NEARLY A THIRD OF THE PROGRAMS AND THEY ALSO NEEDS TO BE HAD ABOUT CONSOLIDATING EFFORTS OR SHARED SERVICES MODELED FOR OUR NONPROFITS. I DO THINK WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE FINANCIAL STABILITY, THE LONGEVITY, AND THE GOVERNANCE WHEN MAKING THESE DECISIONS ON OUR DELEGATE AGENCIES . I AM COMFORTABLE WITH FUNDING THESE CONTRACTS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2027 WITH THE CAVEAT THAT CITY COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF STRATEGIZE AN OVERHAUL TO THIS PROCESS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THESE CONTRACTS. WITH THAT, I MOVE TO AMEND THE DELEGATE AGENCY CONTRACTS TO REMOVE THE OPTION TO EXTEND THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2028. I'M OFFERING THIS AMENDMENT SO THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2027 COUNCIL WILL HOLD A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS HOW TO BEST ALLOCATE DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2028. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ENGAGEMENT WITH MAJOR PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS. PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE FUNDING LEVELS NOT GUARANTEED BEYOND FISCAL YEAR 2027 . COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ AND I HAVE AGREED TO TAKE THE LEAD ON ORGANIZING THIS SESSION. >> MAYOR JONES: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO AMEND ITEM 18. CLERK, PLEASE SUMMARIZE THE AMENDMENT AND THE IMPACT. >> CLERK: THE AMENDMENT IS TO REMOVE THE OPTION TO EXTEND THE CONTRACTS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR '28. >> MAYOR JONES: THESE WOULD ONLY APPLY TO FISCAL YEAR '27. OKAY. >> WALSH: MA'AM, I'M SORRY TO JUMP IN BUT IS IT FISCAL YEAR '27 OR '28, DEBBIE? >> MAYOR JONES: YOU SAID '28, CLERK. >> GAVITO: THEY WOULD BE FUNDED -- 16 MONTHS TOTAL. THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FOR ALL OF 2027. >> MAYOR JONES: CORRECT. YOUR AMENDMENT DOES? >> GAVITO: MY AMENDMENT IS SAYING BEFORE WE PUT A PENNY TOWARDS FISCAL YEAR 2028, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT STRATEGY SESSION. >> WALSH: JUST TO CLARIFY THAT THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS FUNDING FOR THE AGENCIES THROUGH THE REST OF THIS YEAR, FISCAL YEAR '26, FISCAL YEAR '27, AND AN OPTION TO EXTEND TO FISCAL YEAR '28. THAT'S THE CURRENT ITEM RIGHT NOW. YOUR AMENDMENT IS TO REMOVE THAT 2028 -- FISCAL YEAR 2028 YEAR. >> GAVITO: AND THEN WE WOULD HOLD A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS THAT GOING FORWARD. >> MAYOR, IF I MIGHT -- >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD, LIZ, PLEASE. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS APPLIES TO THE ENTIRETY OF ALL DELEGATE AGENCIES AND WE HAVE THE ONE THAT'S PULLED FOR RECUSAL. WE JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT THIS IS -- ENCOMPASSES THE GUARDIAN HOUSE COMPONENT AS WELL. >> YES. >> MAYOR JONES: DOES SHE NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENT AMENDMENT TO THAT? IT WOULD APPLY TO THE GUARDIAN HOUSE ITEM. OKAY. SO WE WILL DISCUSS THE AMENDMENT. HAVE FOLKS SIGNED IN THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU. [01:05:03] I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT AND I WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ AND COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO FOR TAKING THE LEAD. I WOULD LIKE A TIMELINE BEFORE WE BREAK FOR JULY. IF Y'ALL COULD GIVE THAT TO US IN TERMS OF WHEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS MEETING, JUST SO OUR DELEGATE AGENCIES UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TIMELINE IS SO THEY CAN START PREPARING FOR THAT. IF WE COULD GET THAT BEFORE WE HEAD TO VACATION ON JULY OR SORT OF VACATION, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO DO THIS AND I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, ONLY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY, I WOULD HOPE, FOR THE NONPROFITS TO ADD THEIR INPUT ON THE PROCESS. BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT UP HERE BUT NOT NECESSARILY AS MUCH WITH THE NONPROFITS WHO APPLY FOR THIS. I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL WITH UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, AND MIDSTREAM EFFORTS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE SEPARATING THAT OUT WITHIN THE POTS. MELODY, COULD YOU COME UP HERE AND CONFIRM? WITHIN ONE OF THE BUCKETS FOR EDUCATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, YOU DON'T SEPARATE WHICH NONPROFITS ARE APPLYING FOR UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, MIDSTREAM EFFORTS? >> WOOSLEY: NO. WE COULD GO THROUGH THEIR SCOPES OF WORK AS WE'RE NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS, AND IDENTIFY THAT. BUT IT WOULD BE AFTER THE FACT. >> MUNGIA: I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT JUST BECAUSE THREE DIFFERENT ENTITIES ARE ACCEPTING MONEY OR WE'RE GIVING MONEY TO THREE SEPARATE ENTITIES WITHIN ONE BUCKET, THAT THEY'RE NOT ALL NECESSARILY DOING THE SAME THING WITH THAT MONEY. FOR PURPOSES OF OUR DISCUSSION, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT WITHIN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE APPROVING TODAY, JUST SO -- IN SOME CASES IT MAY SAY, HEY, THESE ARE VERY SIMILAR PROGRAMS BEING DONE BY THREE FOLKS. THAT'S A CONSOLIDATION-TYPE CONVERSATION. BUT IF THREE FOLKS ARE DOING DIFFERENT THINGS AND SERVING THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POPULATIONS, I THINK WE JUST NEED TO NOTE THAT AND CONTINUE TO SOLVE THOSE ISSUES. I DO THINK, HOPEFULLY WITH DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP AT THE COUNTY, HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE MORE CONSIDERATION, CROSS-COLLABORATION WITH HOW WE DO NONPROFIT FUNDING. I THINK THEIRS IS NOT AS ORGANIZED AS THIS ONE. SO I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AS WELL. >> WOOSLEY: BECAUSE AGENCIES ARE NOT AWARDED WHAT THEY ASK FOR, WE'LL BE DOING THOSE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND WE'LL PUT TOGETHER A PROFILE THAT INCLUDES ARE THEY UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS BY COUNCIL DISTRICT, AND PROVIDE THAT TO COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. >> MUNGIA: MAYBE WITH A DEEPER DIVE WOULD NECESSITATE US INVESTING MORE INTO THESE NONPROFITS WITH THE WORK THAT THEY DO. THANK YOU, MELODY. APPRECIATE IT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE NONPROFITS THAT CAME OUT TO SPEAK TODAY. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE GIVING UP TIME WITH YOUR ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO SO MUCH IMPORTANT WORK. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SO MANY OF US THAT ARE FIERCE ADVOCATES FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO BECAUSE TRULY, WITHOUT THAT, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ALL THOSE KIDS THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING, ALL OF THE WOMEN THAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING. ALL OF THE FOLKS IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT REALLY, REALLY NEED YOU. AND THE MAYOR MENTIONED IT EARLIER WITH ALL THESE FEDERAL CUTS COMING DOWN, I THINK NOW, MORE THAN EVER, RATHER THAN GETTING ON THE FEDERAL-STATE BANDWAGON OF CUTTING FUNDING FROM OUR NONPROFITS, I THINK WE NEED TO STAND FIRMER AND SAY WE ARE HERE FOR YOU ALL AND BE THAT FORCE IN THE GROUND THAT YOU CAN TAKE TO FUNDERS AND SAY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO BELIEVES IN OUR WORK. THEY ARE SUPPORTING US. AND THEN YOU'RE ABLE TO FUND RAISE AND ACTUALLY GO OUT AND RAISE ALL THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS. AS A REMINDER, WE ARE A VERY SMALL PORTION OF Y'ALL'S BUDGET BUT A MEANINGFUL PORTION OF THE BUDGET BECAUSE IT SHOWS INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT. AND SO TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THESE FOLKS. I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT SA YOUTH AND MY GOD. THE WORK THEY DO, THEY PUT A GRADUATION CAP ON KIDS AS THEY WALK IN THE DOOR BECAUSE THEY ARE SHOWING THEM YOU ARE GOING TO GRADUATE AND YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. HE SHARED WITH ME A STORY OF A KID WHO WILL COME AND SIT IN FRONT OF THE DOORS THE DAY THEY HAVE A CHALLENGING TIME AT HOME. SO THAT KIND OF SUPPORT THAT'S BEING WRAPPED AROUND OUR KIDS IS INCREDIBLE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THAT CHILD IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT PROGRAM? WHERE WOULD THEY END UP? SO I JUST THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT -- I UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATION AROUND -- THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE THERE COULD BE SHARED SERVICES MODEL. HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE A HARD TIME HIRING A CFO? IT'S HARD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE A FINANCIAL BACKGROUND AND GO OUT AND SUPPORT IN THE NONPROFIT. IT'S WANTING TO DO IT FOR A GOOD CAUSE BUT THINGS LIKE [01:10:01] THAT I THINK WE COULD GET A LITTLE MORE STRATEGIC AROUND. ONE THING IS BUS TRANSPORTATION. LIKE, THERE'S SO MANY FOLKS THAT DO GREAT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. I KNOW SOME NONPROFITS HAVE THE FUNDING AND ABILITY TO DO BUS TRANSPORTATION BUT NOT EVERYBODY DOES. SO IF YOU WANT A KID TO ACTUALLY GET INTO THAT PROGRAM, YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEM THERE. AND SO I THINK WE COULD THINK MORE STRATEGICALLY ABOUT HOW TO CREATE COLLABORATION. MAYBE WITH THE VIA PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE FOR FREE RIDES FOR KIDS, MAYBE WE COULD FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONNECT THAT TO FREE RIDES FOR KIDS TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF. THE REASON WE PULLED THIS LAST WEEK, WE WERE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER 150K FROM THE BUDGET LAST YEAR TO BE ABLE TO FUND FOR HER, URBAN CHAMPIONS ACADEMY, AND EMPOWER HOUSE . THESE ORGANIZATIONS DOING REALLY GREAT WORK. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING CREATIVE AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. BECAUSE WE KNOW THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IS IMPORTANT AND WE COULDN'T REALLY GET THE RIGHT JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY IT WASN'T BEING FUNDED. I WANT TO SHOUT OUT COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ HAD THIS IDEA EARLIER THIS YEAR TO FIGURE OUT HOW A BETTER WAY TO DO OUR FUNDING. CITY STAFF WORKS SO INCREDIBLY HARD BUT THEY'RE WORKING IN TEN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. AND THIS KIND OF GRANTMAKING IS NOT THE 100% THING THAT THE DHS DEPARTMENT DOES. AND SO IT IS -- WHEN WE'RE ASKING ALL THESE METRIC QUESTIONS, IT'S DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THOSE -- TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHY DECISIONS ARE MADE AND OFTENTIMES WE'RE RELYING ON PARTNERS FOR INFORMATION THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE SPACE. SOMETIMES WE DO GET INTO THIS -- WE ARE ALL A TEAM. YOU CAN SEE EVERYBODY'S HERE A TEAM. BUT THERE IS SOMETIMES A LITTLE BIT OF A COMPETITIVE NATURE BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH FUNDING. SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO REALLY CONTINUE TO STAY SUPPORTIVE BUT AT THE SAME TIME KNOW THAT WE'RE COMPETING FOR THE SAME FUNDS. AND SO THAT REQUIRES A SPECIAL TALENT. BUT IT ALSO MAKES IT REALLY HARD FOR STAFF BECAUSE WHEN THEY'RE HEARING SOMETHING FROM PARTNERS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE TAKING A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE WAY THAT WE ARE FUNDING AND REALLY JUSTIFYING OUR DECISIONS WITH DATA AND METRICS. I'LL SAY ONE MORE TIME THAT THE ONE THING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE FOLKS FROM OUR LEADERS FROM UP PARTNERSHIP HERE AS WELL AND THEY UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THIS FUNDING PROCESS RIGHT NOW , BUT THE WORK THEY DO AROUND DATA AND METRICS IS SUPER IMPORTANT. SO I WOULD LOVE -- COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN HAS BEEN PUTTING THIS IN THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE MEETING BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO HIGHLIGHT WHERE ARE THE STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES THAT YOU ALL ARE SERVING. WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM? HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE PUTTING INTO THE WEST SIDE, INTO DISTRICT 1, ET CETERA? AND THAT WAY WE CAN SEE WHERE OUR DOLLARS ARE GOING AND THE RESULTS WE ARE SEEING IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THAT DATA AND I KNOW WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS IT AND I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE IT, IT'S JUST ABOUT CONSOLIDATING AND MAKING THE PROCESS EASY ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS REPLICABLE AND NOT REQUIRING SO MUCH MANUAL LABOR. WE'LL KEEP WORKING THROUGH THAT. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CONVERSATION THAT WILL BE UPCOMING BECAUSE I DO THINK WE CAN GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE'RE NOT HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH ON, YOU KNOW, A PO BOX BEING A LOCAL ZIP CODE. I THINK WE CAN GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT. AGAIN, WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE THAT ARE HERE. AND THAT CAME OUT IN SUPPORT. AND THEN JUST FOR A QUICK SECOND SEND A MOMENT OF GRATITUDE. MANY OF YOU KNOW HUGH PHARR, WHO HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR YEARS, HE HAD A REALLY CHALLENGING HEART PROCEDURE THIS WEEK AND HE'S RECOVERING WELL, HE'S WALKING AND SITTING. I'M SURE HE'S WATCHING BUT THESE PEOPLE DEDICATE THEIR WHOLE LIVES TO OUR KIDDOS. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS EVENT YOU KNOW HOW THAT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF LIVES. I WANT TO SEND GRATITUDE FOR HIM HEALING UP WELL AND KNOW THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING HIS ORGANIZATION THAT HE WORKED SO HARD FOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: I WANT TO THANK ALL THE INDIVIDUALS WHO GAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. I THINK YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB ARTICULATING THE IMPACT AND VALUE THAT YOUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BRING TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. WHAT WAS EVIDENT IS THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S MISSION, WHETHER IT'S OUR ECONOMIC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, SA FORWARD, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS, THAT YOU ALL ARE HITTING ON THOSE POINTS. WHAT I REALLY VALUED WHAT YOU HIT ON TODAY IS IF WE ARE GOING TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE AFTER CARE, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE. THAT WORK IS BEING DONE BY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOU ALL. AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT -- [01:15:05] I THINK JEREMY, YOU DID A GREAT JOB TYING INTO THE IMPACT AND ROLE OF NOT JUST SA YOUTH BUT PAINTED THE PICTURE FOR THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF OUR DELEGATE AGENCIES AND THE ROLE THAT YOU ALL PLAY. AND WITHIN YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT I HEARD OUR ECONOMIC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, HOW WE'RE CONNECTING FOLKS TO WORK AND OPPORTUNITY. I HEARD THE SA FORWARD PLAN AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS ALL WITHIN YOUR COMMENT. I THINK THE VALUE OF HAVING THE CONVERSATION THAT COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO AND MEZA GONZALEZ ARE GOING TO FACILITATE IS TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT ARE THOSE INTERSECTIONS. I KNOW YOU ALL ARE DOING THAT WORK BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR EVERY DELEGATE AGENCY AND HOW CAN WE BE STRATEGIC WITH OUR LIMITED DOLLARS. BUT JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE IMPACT THAT YOU ALL ARE MAKING. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE STRATEGIC CONVERSATION. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU TO ALL THE NONPROFITS THAT ARE HERE TODAY AND THE WORK YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. PARTNERS. I'M EXCITED FOR THIS STRATEGY SESSION. I'M EXCITED TO APPROVE THE FUNDING TODAY BUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THIS STRATEGY SESSION, BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET BUT THE IMPACT IS MUCH GREATER. AND I THINK WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THESE AGENCIES BECAUSE NOT DESPITE THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE BUT REALLY IN PART BECAUSE OF THOSE CHALLENGES. WE KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND AT THE CITY IS PROBABLY PUBLIC WORKS, I WOULD SAY, BUT YOU'RE THAT FOR SO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THIS MIGHT BE THE FIRST TIME A CCR GETS DONE BEFORE WE GO THROUGH THE CCR PROCESS, SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS DURING PRE-SOLICITATION BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT THIS WORK BUT WHO BEST IN THIS COMMUNITY CAN HELP US DO IT THE RIGHT WAY AND THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY? I THINK THOSE ARE OUR PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS LIKE KRONKOWSKI AND UNITED WAY. I LOOK FORWARD AGAIN TO THIS CONVERSATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ AND COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO FOR THE AMENDMENT. IT'S MUCH NEEDED. I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THANKS TO Y'ALL'S LEADERSHIP TO GET THIS ON THE DAIS TODAY. WE DO NEED TO DIG IN HERE AND HAVE AN OVERALL STRATEGY ON WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THIS DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING. WHAT COUNCILMAN MUNGIA SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO I THINK IS SO ACCURATE. WE HAVE OVERLAP WITH SOME OF THESE GROUPS. WE NEED TO BETTER DETERMINE WHERE WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, UPSTREAM, DOWNSTREAM, AND WHICH PARTICULAR AREA. THERE'S A LOT TO DO THERE SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. BUT I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THE UNDERLYING ITEM. I JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY. FIRST AND FOREMOST, ALL OF THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DO REALLY PHENOMENAL WORK. FOR HER, WHICH IS IN MY DISTRICT, IS AN AMAZING ORGANIZATION. OF COURSE, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS, THE SCOUTS, ALL OF THE GROUPS DO SUCH IMPORTANT WORK HERE IN OUR CITY AND I COMMEND THEM AND THANK THEM FOR THAT. MY ISSUE, REALLY, IS THAT THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY AND AT A TIME WHERE OUR CITY GOVERNMENT IS HAVING TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND CUTTING BACK IN A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT AREAS, I DON'T SEE THAT WE ARE DOING THE SAME HERE WITH OUR DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING. IF WE'RE CUTTING ACROSS THE BOARD AND LOOKING AT WHAT'S CORE TO THIS CITY, THE DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS AS WELL. SO THIS IS NOT A COMMENT ON THE VALUE OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING PROVIDED BECAUSE, AGAIN, I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT IS BEING DONE. BUT I THINK WE NEED A BETTER PROCESS HERE FOR HOW WE DO THE FUNDING. AND AGAIN, IN TOUGH FISCAL TIMES, TOUGH DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE AND THAT HAS TO INCLUDE OUR DELEGATE AGENCY FUNDING AS WELL. AGAIN, I'LL BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE UNDERLYING ITEM. BUT I DO LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE CONVERSATION THAT THE COUNCILWOMEN ARE GOING TO LEAD NEXT YEAR AND LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN DO [01:20:04] THIS BETTER MOVING FORWARD. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO ON THE SECOND ROUND. FIVE MINUTES. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I ALSO -- I MISSED A COUPLE OF THINGS BECAUSE I JUMPED STRAIGHT INTO THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY. PRIOR TO ME JOINING COUNCIL, I WAS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT, SA DIGITAL CONNECTS. I KNOW Y'ALL'S WORLD. IT'S HARD. IT'S TOUGH. I GET IT AND I DO THINK, AS WAS MENTIONED BY MY COLLEAGUES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE Y'ALL'S VOICE AND Y'ALL'S IMPACT WHEN WE DO HAVE THIS STRATEGY SESSION. WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IN SAN ANTONIO AND SO WE NEED TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON ISSUES. LONGSTANDING, COMPLEX ISSUES. AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WHEN WE'RE ASKING FOR THE STRATEGY SESSION, THIS IS NOT TO DISCOUNT ANYBODY'S WORK BUT IT IS FOR US TO SAY THERE'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY, AS COUNCILMAN WHYTE JUST SAID, THERE'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY. HOW DO WE BEST BE STRATEGIC ABOUT IT SO WE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLES ON THESE LONGSTANDING, COMPLEX ISSUES. I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY. WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT SOME OF OUR OTHER PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS, WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO SAY WHO IS DOING WHAT AND LET'S WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER. THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE SESSION. I ALSO WILL SAY THAT WE ALL KNOW THAT WE'RE FACING A BUDGET DEFICIT. TOUGH TIMES CALL FOR INNOVATIVE THINKING. WE HAVE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ON HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THE MISSIONS GOING FORWARD. AS COUNCILWOMAN KAUR WAS SAYING IT'S HARD TO FIND A CFO, MARKET PERSON. SHARED SERVICES FOR NONPROFITS MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE THINK ABOUT. WE HAVE TO GET EGOS OUT OF THE WAY AND WORK SMARTER SO WE'RE FUNNELING MORE MONEY TO THE ACTUAL MISSION THAN OVERHEAD. THOSE ARE SOME OF THOSE THINGS WE NEED TO DISCUSS AND PUT FORWARD. AND THEN COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT TIMELINE, WE TOUCHED BASE WITH CITY MANAGER SO WE'RE GOING TO TARGET THE FALL FOR THIS. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE AMENDMENT? OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE THOUGHTFUL AMENDMENT. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE, FOR THOSE THAT WERE MAYBE A LITTLE BIT PERPLEXED ABOUT HOW THE AMENDMENT DIFFERS IN PRACTICE THAN THE OPTION TO EXTEND -- THEY'RE SIMILAR, IF NOT THE EXACT SAME THING. BUT I DO THINK IT IS WORTH HAVING A CONVERSATION. MELODY, YOUR TEAM WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT BECAUSE WE CAN DO A LOT OF INNOVATIVE THINGS. I THINK ONE OF THOSE IS REDUCING, FOR EXAMPLE -- OR REVIEWING, AT LEAST, SOME OF THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS THAT WE PUT ON YOU ALL. SOME PEOPLE ARE NODDING THEIR HEADS. I CAN APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK YOU DO AND MAKING SURE YOUR TIME IS WELL SPENT ON THOSE THINGS OTHER THAN SOME OF THE BUREAUCRATIC THINGS THAT MAY BE INVOLVED. SO I THINK THERE'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY, MELODY, AS WELL AS WITH CRAIG -- WELL, IT WILL BE THE I.T. FOLKS THAT HELP WITH THE REPORTING, THE METRICS DEVELOPMENT. AND UNDERSTANDING, AS WE GO THROUGH BUDGET SEASON, I KNOW YOU'LL KEEP THIS CONVERSATION IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD AS YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW TO NOT ONLY STRUCTURE THAT CONVERSATION BUT ALSO THEN THE TALENT AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'LL NEED TO ACTUALLY DO THOSE THINGS. PLEASE REMIND US OF THIS WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR BUDGET SUBMISSION, MELODY -- AND I.T. TEAM, I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING OUT THERE. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE AMENDMENT AS READ. PLEASE VOTE. OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO THE MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED. IS THERE ANY CONVERSATION ON THAT? GO AHEAD. >> IS THERE ANY ADDITIONA? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES. [01:25:06] IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR GUARDIAN HOUSE? >> >> MAYOR JONES: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? COUNCILMAN WHYTE. >> WHYTE: YEAH. I JUST BRIEFLY WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN MY VOTE'S GOING TO BE NO HERE BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT SINGLING OUT GUARDIAN HOUSE. IT'S JUST TO REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I MENTIONED EARLIER ON THE UNDERLYING MOTION. >> MAYOR JONES: ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM? OKAY. HEARING NONE -- THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO PROVE FUNDING FOR GUARDIAN HOUSE. COUNCILMAN MUNGIA IS RECUSED AND WILL NOT BE VOTING ON THE ITEM . OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. THAT IS THE BUSINESS OF TODAY. THE TIME IS NOW 10:31. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.