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>> MAYOR JONES: GOOD MORNING, THE TIME IS NOW 9:11 A.M., ON AUGUST 20TH, 2026 AND THE MEETING IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. MADAM CLERK. PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> YOU. AND COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN IS RECOGNIZED.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP DEACON GEORGE SALAZAR TO THE FRONT.
HE WAS BISHOP AND PASTOR REVEREND FATHER. AND AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CHURCH. HE HAS TWO CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN DISTRICT 6 AND PART OF THE 1977 WHERE HE SUPPORTS THE YOUTH BY PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FIRST AND SECOND YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS HERE IN OUR CITY. OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH, DEACON SALAZAR HAS HIS OWN BUSINESS FOR THE LAST 44 YEARS AND BEEN AN INCREDIBLE MEMBER OF OUR CITY, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH THAT, DEAN SALAZAR, TAKE IT AWAY. >> IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. DEAR LORD, WE ASK YOU TO SEND YOUR BLESSING DOWN UPON THIS AUSPICIOUS COUNCIL AS THEY COME TOGETHER TO GUIDE THE CITY.
AND MAY THEY BE GIVEN THE WISDOM TO BE ABLE TO GOVERN AS THEY SHOULD.
AND TO GOVERN WITH LOVE. TO FOLLOW THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS THAT GOD GAVE US, TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AND OURSELVES BUT TO LOVE GOD BEFORE ALL OTHERS.
MAY THEY BE GIVEN THE WISDOM AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AND IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME WE PRAY.
AMEN. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, DEACON. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OF AUGUST 5TH AND 6TH, 2026.
ANY CORRECTIONS OR EDITS TO THE MINUTE? OKAY.
A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES? >> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND. PLEASE VOTE. OKAY, THE MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE SEVERAL PROCLAMATIONS AND WE'VE GOT A BIG ONE, THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO. PLEASE, IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD. THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HEREBY PRESENTS ITS OFFICIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY.
AND R RECOGNITION, THE CITY OF N ANTONIO HONORS DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO FOR ITS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING A WELCOMING SPACE FOR LGBTQIA PLUS CATHOLICS AND ALLIES SINCE 1976, AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS OFFERED SUPPORT, FELLOWSHIP AND ADVOCACY, GROUNDED IN BELIEF THAT EVERY PERSON POSSESSES INHERENT DIGNITY. AND AS THE OLDEST LGBTQIA PLUS ORGANIZATION IN SAN ANTONIO, DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN A STEADY PRESENCE THROUGH
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TRANSITION AND CHALLENGE. ITS MEMBERS HAVE CONTINUED TO GATHER, WORSHIP AND SERVE, ADAPTING THOUGHTFULLY TO PERIODS OF CHANGE WHILE PRESERVING THE MISS OF INCLUSION.OVER 5 DECADES THE ORGANIZATION HAS CONTRIBUTESSED TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOD BANKS, SCHOOL SUPPLY EFFORTS, AND ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGNS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SERVICE GROUPS AND CHURCHES. THIS ANNIVERSARY IS A MILESTONE SHAPED BY PERSEVERANCE AND VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AND A EXCITEMENT TO ENSURING THAT FAITH AND IDENTITY CAN BE INTEGRATED WITHOUT FEAR OR EXCLUSION. AND DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO'S WORK REFLECTS A WIDER EFFORT SHARED WITH DIGNITY U.S.A. TO PROMOTE RESPECT AND JUSTICE FOR LGBTQIA PLUS INDIVIDUALS IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY. THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUPLE AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOIN YOU IN CELEBRATING THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE AND EXTEND THEIR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO'S CONTINUED SERVICE.
CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND BEST WISHES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD.
HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY. PRESENTED THIS 20TH DAY OF AUGUST.
[APPLAUSE] DEB MYERS IS RECOGNIZED TO SPEAK.
OR WHOEVER. >> MY NAME IS RUTH PINKMAN AND I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO. FIRST, MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING UP AT OUR CELEBRATION. IT MEANT A LOT TO FEEL THAT SUPPORT.
WE ARE THE OLDEST ORGANIZATION IN THE CITY, AND, OF COURSE, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
BUT WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO SHOW UP, THAT THE CITY HAS A GOOD, UM, SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH THE TASK FORCE. AND WE KNOW THAT IN THE FUTURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES LIKE TO MAKE REMARKS? THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE ANOTHER BIG CELEBRATION FOR NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY.
PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT. OKAY, GREAT. SO WHEREAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PROUDLY KNOWN AS MILITARY CITY U.S.A. THRIVES ON THE WISDOM, STRENGTH AND LIFE-LONG CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS OLDER RESIDENTS AND, WHEREAS, SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE LIVED THROUGH REMARKABLE TIMES AND PROVIDE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP AND EXPERIENCE THAT CONTINUES TO SHAPE AND TO STRENGTHEN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND, WHEREAS, THESE VALUED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENRICH OUR CITY THROUGH VOLUNTEER SERVICE, MENTORSHIP AND THEIR DEEP CARE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND, WHEREAS, RAISING AWARENESS OF THE UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENTS AND NEEDS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY OLDER ADULTS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THEY REMAIN SUPPORTED, ENGAGED AND CELEBRATED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND, WHEREAS, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING HEALTHY, AGING AND EXPANDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT UPLIFT AND SUPPORT OUR OLDER NEIGHBORS.
AND NOW, THEREFORE, I GINA ORTIZ JONES, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IN RECOGNITION THEREOF DO PROCLAIM AUGUST 21ST, 2026 TO BE NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. FOR THE CONTRIBUTION THAT SENIOR CITIZENS MAKE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THIS PROCLAMATION WAS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA AND COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA IS RECOGNIZED.
>> MUNGIA: GOOD MORNING, SENIORS. HOW ARE Y'ALL? ALL RIGHT. SO WHERE IS MY ROBINETTE FOLKS? GOT TO BE LOUDER THAN THAT, GUYS, COME ON. AND WHERE ARE THE CORTEZ FOLK? OKAY, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM THEIR COFFEE YET. BUT I WANTED TO JUST TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE COMMISSION ON AFFAIRS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO OUR OFFICE AND HELPING US TO RECOGNIZE OUR SENIORS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. I WAS PARTIALLY, OF COURSE, RAISED BY MY GRANDPARENTS AND I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL CONNECTION TO THEM.
AND I MAKE IT OUT TO THE SENIOR CENTERS AS MUCH AS I CAN AND CHAT WITH EVERYBODY AND TALK.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF WISDOM THAT OUR SENIORS HAVE FOR US, AND AS WE.
PROTECTING RESOURCES THAT GO TO OUR SENIORS. OUR SENIORS HAVE WORKED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AND IT'S TIME THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND OUR RESIDENTS MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT OUR SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES.
SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR WORK WITH -- YOUR PROFESSIONAL WORK AT THE FOUNDATION AND ALL THAT YOU DO FOR SENIORS.
YOU HAVE HELPED OUT THOUSANDS OF SENIORS ACROSS THE SEA TO ACCESS RESOURCES THEY QUALIFY FOR THAT
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THEY DIDN'T KNOW. I THINK THAT MOST OF ALL YOU PROVIDE DIGNITY AND RESPECT TO SENIORS AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT, HOW SENIORS FEEL HIDDEN AND UNSEEN.I THINK THAT YOU DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ALL THAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF US WHO ARE IN GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZE THAT TOO.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. AND THANK YOU FOR MY SOWN Y MY D FROM D4 FOR VISITING ME. AND I APPRECIATE IT. AND SOME OF THE STAFF, EVERYONE WITH THE DHS TEAM, BECAUSE THESE FOLKS EVERY DAY -- [APPLAUSE] AND THEY COME EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE, HELPING OUR SENIORS. AND OUR SENIORS LOVE THEM, RIGHT? SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE STAFF AND THE TEAM THAT HELPS WITH THE SENIORS EVERY DAY. BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT.
SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: AND I KNOW THAT MY COLLEAGUES LIKE TO MAKE
REMARKS. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY. I KNOW THAT MY SENIORS ARE PROBABLY AT THEIR SENIOR CENTERS RIGHT NOW, SOUTHSIDE LIONS AND THE PRESSO AND DISTRICT 5, I SHARE THAT ONE WITH TERRY.
AND THEN HARLAN DELL. SO I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT CELEBRATING YOU GUYS TODAY AND THE WORK THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DOES. I AM A LOT OLDER THAN I LOOK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAYS THAT I CAN GO TO THE SENIOR CENTER FOR BINGO AND ART AND SENIORS IN PLAY AND TO LEARN ABOUT THE COMPUTER. SO I WANT Y'ALL TO CONTINUE TO USE YOUR VOICES, TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO COME, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, BUDGET -- YOU KNOW, OR NOT YOU GUYS ARE GETTING THE PROGRAM, AND THAT YOU'RE GETTING OUT THERE AND YOU'RE SOCIALIZING. SOME OF YOU ARE OUR GREATEST AMBASSADORS FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I WANT TO THANK FERNANDA AND THE WORK THAT THE ELDERLY AFFAIRS COMMISSION DOES AS THEY COME TOGETHER.
I SEE SOME OF OUR PROVIDERS AND I HAVE TO CALL OUT THE FOOD BANK, MARIO, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS -- WHEN THERE'S A NEED, UM, YOU GUYS PROVIDE FOR OUR SENIORS.
AND WE KNOW THAT THINGS ARE DIFFICULT, BUT YOU GUYS ALWAYS BRING -- YOU ALL BRING A SMILE TO MY FACE WHEN I GET TO VISIT THE SENIOR CENTERS AND I GET TO CALL BINGO.
AND I GET TO GO WHEN Y'ALL ARE HAVING KARAOKE OR THE D.J.S OR DANCING, SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO THE C CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU THAT DO TO ENSURE THAT SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS HAVE ACTIVITIES AND MUCH-NEEDED FOOD. IN ADDITION TO, THAT RIGHT, I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE SENIORS THAT ATTEND, NOT JUST DISTRICT 5 SENIOR CENTERS BECAUSE Y'ALL LIKE TO HOP AROUND DEPENDING ON THE EVENT AND THE PARTY AND WHAT IS SERVED AT EACH HOLIDAY EVENT. BUT THANK YOU ALL, BECAUSE YOU ALL ENSURE AS AN OFFICE THAT WE HAVE THE NEED FOR SENIORS SPECIFICALLY WHEN WE GO OUT TO PROVIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD UPDIETS, WE LEARN ABOUT THE TRENDS AND THE HARDSHIP THAT MANY OF YOU FACE. AND SO THANK YOU FOR BEING VULNERABLE AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE. BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
I BELIEVE IT WAS LAST YEAR THAT I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A DISTRICT 6 SENIOR CENTER AND THERE WERE STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE CITY TO COME TO LEARN FROM THE SAN ANTONIO SENIOR CITIZENS. THERE WAS A WOMAN FROM CHICAGO WHO WAS IN TEARS AND SHE WAS SHARING THAT SHE WISHED THAT IN CHICAGO THEY HAD SENIOR CENTERS LIKE WE DO HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS A MODEL THAT SHE HOPED TO TAKE BACK HOME TO REPLICATE.
SO WITH THAT I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY LEADERSHIP, ERIK, FOR ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE LEADING AND THE BEST SENIOR CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY.
AGAIN, THIS BROUGHT THE FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TOGETHER AND SOME TO TEARS.
SO JUST REALLY VALUE THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TEAM AND OF COURSE ALL THAT Y'ALL DO TO KEEP US ON THE POST OFF WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN.
AND TO KEEP OUR OFFICES IN THE LOOP ON THESE THINGS. AND YOU SHOW THAT WE SHOW THE COMMUNITY AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. AND MARIO AND FOR THE SUPPORT AND THE CITY SERVICES SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GIVING SENIORS THE BEST QUALITY SERVICES THAT WE CAN HERE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE SO MANY FOLKS HERE WHO ARE AGING IN PLACE AND DESERVE QUALITY SUPPORT HERE. I THINK A LOT ABOUT, MY GRANDMOTHER WHO PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR FROM DEMENTIA. AND THE IMPACT THAT THE SENIOR CITIZEN HAD ON HER LIFE WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO GO WAS INCREDIBLE. TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE HOME, TO NOT BE ISOLATED AND TO TALK TO FOLKS IN A SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS HER, TO BE VULNERABLE WITH THEM TOO.
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AND YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH THIS AND SO ARE I AND LET'S WORK ON THIS TOGETHER.AND LOVE AND GROW WITH ONE ANOTHER AND TO EXTEND THEIR LIVES.
EXTEND THEIR LIVES, NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY BUT ALSO EMOTIONALLY AND IN A BETTER QUALITY WAY TOO.
BECAUSE THERE'S A GROWING CONNECTION THERE AND THEY'RE NOT ISOLATED AT HOME ANYMORE.
AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GO AND HAVE A GOOD MEAL AND HAVE FUN AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANYMORE WHEN THEY ARE RETIRED AND AS OFTEN AS THEY ARE USED TO. THAT'S WHAT SO SPECIAL AT SENIOR CENTERS TO GIVE DIGNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS AND IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO SERVE OUR CITY AND TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE LIVELY AND MORE FUN AND TO KEEP US ON THE STRAIGHT PATH HERE.
[APPLAUSE] COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> ALDERETE GAVITO: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILMAN FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD TODAY. WE LOVE OUR SENIORS AND THEY'RE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY. I MEAN, I DO THINK -- I MEAN, I LOVE BEING AT THE SENIOR CENTER, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A CLUB AT 10:00 A.M., WE'RE ALL DANCING AND IT'S LIKE A CLUB HERE, YOU KNOW. BUT ALSO TOO JUST LEARNING PROBLEM YOUR EXPERIENCES, UM, LEARNING -- YOU KNOW, OUR SENIORS ARE SUCH TREASURES TO OUR CITY. AND SO WHEN WE TAKE THE TIME TO STOP AND TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, YOU KNOW -- I LOVE IT BECAUSE I TAKE MY TWO DAUGHTERS TO THE DORIS GRIFFIN SENIOR CENTER AND SO MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LIKE OH, MY GOSH, THIS TIME IN LIFE WHEN YOU ARE JUGGLING -- WORKING MOM MODE AND SUCH. SO IT'S NICE TO GET THOSE NUGGETS OF WISDOM FROM OUR SENIORS. BUT ALSO TOO, FERNANDA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK. I KNOW THAT WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED YOU HELPED US WITH THE SENIOR ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM WHICH HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL TO CLEAR OUT DEAD TREES AND BRUSH FROM PEOPLE'S YARDS. BUT ALSO TOO WORKING WITH THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS TO EXPAND TRANSPORTATION TO SENIOR CENTERS.
BECAUSE AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, WE ALL KNOW ALL OF THE GOODNESS THAT HAPPENS AT SENIOR CENTERS, WHETHER IT'S COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, MEALS, LEARNING NEW SKILLS, UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE JUST A HUB OF GOODNESS. SO HOWEVER WE CAN BEST GET MORE FOLKS TO THE SENIOR CENTERS, THE BETTER. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND IT'S A NICE SURPRISE. THOSE ARE ALL OF MY COMMENTS,
THANKS. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> GONZALEZ: HAPPY NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZEN DAY, IT SHOULD BE EVERY DAY.
I WANT TO THANK THE JOINT COMMISSION FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS R FOR BEING HERE AND GET A NAME CHANGE FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS, SHE'S BEEN ASKING. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND YOU'RE ALWAYS SMILING WHEN I GO INTO THE FIRST SENIOR CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND IT NEEDS SOME LOVING CARE, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT LOVING CARE TO IT SOON.
BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TO MAKE OUR CITY SO SPECIAL AND.
COUNCILMEMBER SPEARS. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU, MAYOR. BUT, YES, HAPPY NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY, AND THANK YOU COUNCILMAN FOR BRINGING THIS TO COUNCIL TODAY.
I TOO LOVE MY SENIOR CENTER. IT'S BEEN OPEN FOUR YEARS AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING BEFORE THAT AND IT'S SUPER POPULAR AND I TRY TO GO ON TUESDAYS. I HAVE MADE SOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDSHIPS AND WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHO HASN'T BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND CHECK IN AND SEE WHERE THEY'VE BEEN. AND IT'S THESE CONVERSATIONS, IT'S THE WISDOM THAT I GET AND I KNOW THAT IS SHARED WITH ME, AND THE IDEAS, THE STORIES AND IT'S THE CONVERSATIONS AND ENCOURAGEMENT. THAT'S -- WHEN I NEED A PICK-ME-UP I GO TO MY SENIOR CENTER BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL QUICK TO POUR INTO ME AND I'M JUST REALLY, REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AND THE WAY THAT -- I MEAN, YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN. AND IT IS FUN. AND, UM, WE OWE YOU A LOT OF RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE FOR OUR CITY.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MEALS ON WHEELS AND THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK.
IT'S REALLY A VITAL THING FOR OUR SENIORS. AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DANIEL MEZA AND HE REPRESENTS DISTRICT 90 THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS AND ALSO TOO MY FRIENDS.
AND A SHOUT OUT TOO BECAUSE I HAVE THE BEST SENIOR CENTER MANAGER LUPITA PÉREZ, SHE'S THE BEST. SO ALL OF YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT WALKER AND I HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE. AND, YEAH, WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF YOU AND I PROMISE TO KEEP WALKER STOCKED WITH CHOCOLATE CANDY. THANKS.
>> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER KAUR, PLEASE. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND
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THANK YOU COUNCILMAN MUNGIA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE WERE EXCITED TO DO WAS TO WORK ON REOPENING THE KENWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER IN DISTRICT 1 THAT HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN. BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE FRANK GARRETT MULTIUSE CENTER WHICH IS AN AMAZING SPACE WHERE I GET TO SEE SENIORS DO ACTIVITIES WHEN WE ARE MEETING.BUT LOVE Y'ALL'S ENERGY AND LOVE THAT YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
LIKE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID. AND I WANTED TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO DHS AND I KNOW THAT IT WAS ALREADY MENTIONED, BUT MY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CALLED OLDER ADULTS IS WHAT I'VE DONE TOLD.
SO THE COMMITTEE -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON OLDER ADULTS. AND JOANNE TOBIAS AND MARINA GOT POACHED FROM DHS SO MY APPOINTEE IS A STAFF MEMBER WITH DHS SO WE'LL FIND AN AMAZING REPLACEMENT FOR HER. BUT THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS --
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. >> WHYTE: HAPPY SENIORS DAY TODAY AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO MAKE SAN ANTONIO BETTER. TO THE FOOD BANK AS WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
AND IN A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF MY FOLKS AT THE NORTHEAST SENIOR CENTER.
THERE REALLY IS NO BETTER FEELING THAN GETTING OUT THERE AND SEEING ALL OF THE SMILING FACES. AND THERE'S ALWAYS SO MUCH ENERGY IN THE ROOM.
AND WE ALWAYS LOVE WHEN WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AT OUR SENIOR CENTERS.& SO ENJOY THE DAY, CELEBRATE IT, AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: WELL, I'M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO BE THE ONLY PERSON NOT TO SPEAK. [LAUGHTER] I DO -- I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE DIGNITY SAN ANTONIO, AND WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY. AND TYPICALLY, YOU KNOW, I'LL LET THE PERSON WHO BROUGHT FORTH THE PROCLAMATION TO DO THE SPEAKING BUT IN AN INSTANCE LIKE THIS WHERE EVERYONE IS SINGING YOUR PRAISES I WANT TO JOIN IN THE CHOIR. YOU KNOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO THANK SENIORS, YOURSELVES AND ALL OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE NATION FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CITY AND ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE, ALL THAT YOU'VE WORKED FOR AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE MADE THIS CITY. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT SENIORS DESERVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY, DESERVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE MEMORIES AND MAKE FRIENDS AND LEARN AND GROW AND HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES. AND YOU SHOULD NOT JUST BE HONORED FOR YOUR PAST.
YOU SHOULD BE CELEBRATED FOR ALL THAT YOUR FUTURE WILL BE. AND SO ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BUDGET SEASON FOR US AND SOME VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE MADE, IT IS A PRIORITY FOR ME THAT ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT OUR SENIORS RELY ON -- WHETHER IT'S THE SENIOR CITIZENS THEMSELVES OR OUR FITNESS CLASSES, THE ART CLASSES AND HOME REPAIR, ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT SERVE OUR SENIORS WELL NEED TO BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED. AND SO I WILL CERTAINLY GO TO WHATEVER LENGTHS THAT I CAN TO DO SO. AND THAT'S GOING TO BE THE ACTION THAT I TAKE OVER THE NEXT MONTH. ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE MONTH IS MY MONTHLY VISIT TO THE SENIOR CENTER AND I FEEL A BIT LIKE A BAD GRANDSON BECAUSE I'M A LITTLE OVERDUE BUT I'LL BE THERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. AND HOPEFULLY IN A FEW WEEKS WE'LL BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE FUNDING FOR A BRAND-NEW SENIOR CENTER IN DISTRICT 2, SCHEDULED TO BE CONSIDERED ON SEPTEMBER 3RD. SO I WILL INVITE CERTAINLY Y'ALL AND HAVE MORE SENIORS HERE TO SPEAK AND TO CELEBRATE. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT EACH OF YOUR SENIOR CENTERS AND AT DISTRICT 2. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.
PLEASE, GO AHEAD. >> SO, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AND TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY. AS CHAIR OF THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR OLDER ADULTS AND TO HELP TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, VALUED AND RESPECTED. OUR SENIORS ARE NOT SIMPLY A GENERATION THAT WE CARE FOR.
THEY ARE A GENERATION THAT CARED FOR US. THEY BUILD OUR FAMILIES, STRENGTHEN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, SERVE OUR COUNTRY, AND HELPED TO BUILD THE CITY THAT WE SO PROUDLY CALL HOME. TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY MORE THAN THANK YOU.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY WE SEE YOU, WE VALUE YOU, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE ALONGSIDE SO MANY DEDICATED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MEALS ON WHEELS AND THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK AND THE FOUNDATION WHO ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SAN ANTONIO A BETTER PLACE FOR OLDER ADULTS. BECAUSE THE WAY THAT WE HONOR OUR OLDER ADULTS TODAY IS THE LEGACY THAT WE LEAVE BEHIND FOR OURSELVES TOMORROW.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.
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COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR A POINT OF PRIVILEGE.>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME UNITY RECOVERY, AND CAMI AND BEN AND LISA AND AMANDA.
TOO MANY RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY LOSE THEIR LIVES TO OVERDOSE.
SO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH BEXAR COUNTY DECLARED OVERDOSE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
AND NO DOUBT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA IN TERMS OF WHERE WE SEE THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF OVERDOSES, THEY TEND TO BE CONCENTRATED WITHIN 78207 BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY FAMILIES NAVIGATE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY. AND THAT'S WHY THROUGH THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION WE HAVE PRIORITIZED SUPPORTING ONE DE-STIGMATIZING USE AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S CONNECTION AND ACCESS TO RECOVERY. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY AS I WILL RESTATE, RIGHT, TO DESTIGMATIZE. AS A LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF 78207, THAT MEANS THAT I HAVE GROWN UP TO EXPOSURE. I HAVE LOST PEOPLE THAT I HAVE LOVED THROUGH ADDICTION AND THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE PEOPLE THAT I LOVE NAVIGATING ADDICTION. AND I HAVE FOLKS IN ACTIVE RECOVERY THAT I ALSO LOVE. SO THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME CAMI TO SHARE A COUPLE OF WORDS. >> THANK YOU TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. I AM THE REENTRY SUPERVISOR AT UNITY RECOVERY AND ON OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY, WE REMEMBER THOSE THAT WE HAVE LOST AND SUPPORTS THOSE NAVIGATING RECOVERY.
AND STANDS COMMITTED TO BREAKING BARRIERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. UNITY RECOVERY SERVES AS OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO STRUGGLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND EDUCATION ELIMINATES STIGMA. ANDNALOXONE SAVES LIVES AND THAT OUR CITY HAS RISK REDUCTION TOOLS MAKES SURE THAT OUR INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE HAS A SECOND CHANCE FOR TOMORROW.
AND ON AUGUST 31ST, 2026, WE'RE GOING TO REMEMBER THOSE THAT WE HAVE LOST IN THE PAST AND DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH WHAT THE FAMILIES HAVE WENT THROUGH WHO HAVE LOST PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> ALDERETE GAVITO: I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE TRAINING ON HOW TO ISSUE NARCAN AND DEESCALATE AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO ALLOWED TEAM MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LUNCH AND LEARN. BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT'S MIH TEAM AND ENSURING TO CONNECT RESIDENTS TO RESOURCES AS WELL AND RESPONDING TO OVERDOSES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU, UNITY RECOVERY.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. COUNCILMEMBER MUNGIA IS RECOGNIZED AS WELL FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. THANK YOU.
>> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP TAYLOR AND RICK KNOLLS PLEASE.
I HAVE THE HONOR TO HIGHLIGHT A SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS THAT IS CELEBRATING A 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND THEY ARE CALLED SAN ANTONIO SHOES. IF YOU HAVEN'T, THAT'S A MISTAKE ON YOUR END. BUT THEY HAVE SPENT FIVE DECADES HANDCRAFTING FOOTWEAR HERE IN SAN ANTONIO ON THE SOUTHSIDE. THEY STARTED IN 1976 BY TERRY ARMSTRONG AND LOU HAYDEN HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. AND ORIGINALLY IN AN OLD AIRPLANE HANGAR WITH JUST 13 SHOE MAKERS. AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE REMAINING FEW MAJOR SHOE MANUFACTURERS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THEY STILL HAND STITCH AND HAND CUT SHOES HERE AND EVEN IN DEL RIO. AND TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE THEY RELEASED A STYLE, AND SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN ALL GET A PAIR HERE OURSELVES. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOSTALGIC FOR ME, RIGHT, BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS IN MY FAMILY AND A LOT OF OUR GRANDPARENTS, RIGHT, RELIED ON SAN ANTONIO SHOES FOR COMFORT AND A LOT OF THE JOBS THEY HAD TO WORK WHERE THEY WERE ON THEIR FEET FOR HOURS, RIGHT. AND SO THAT BRAND TO US, IT MEANT COMFORT.
IT WAS SOMETHING VERY NICE. IT WAS -- WOW, YOU GOT SAN ANTONIO SHOES AND YOU HAD EXTRA MONEY TO SPLURGE ON SHOES. IF NO ONE HAS BEEN TO THEIR OFFICE, THEY ALSO HAVE THIS REALLY NICE ANTIQUE PLACE IN TECHNICALLY D5 WITH SOME OLD CARS AND SOME POPCORN AND SODAS THAT I THINK THAT YOU CAN BUY FOR 10 CENTS STILL AND SOME CANDY.
SO THAT'S A REALLY FUN PLACE TO VISIT AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY DO OUT THERE.
BUT IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SOUTHSIDE. AND I WANT TO ALSO MENTION THAT IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS SAS, AND PEOPLE CALL YOU SAS ALL OF THE TIME.
BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR BEING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS LONG AND EMPLOYING OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR HELPING TO SUPPORT OUR FOLKS AS THEY WORK. SO IF YOU WANT TO SAY A COUPLE
WORDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, EDWARD, I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS AS A MOM AND POP COMPANY IS PRETTY COOL.
WHO KNOWS, MAYBE IN 50 YEARS WE WILL BE BACK HERE BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, IT WON'T BE ME, BUT
[00:30:01]
SOMEONE ELSE TO RECOGNIZE FOR 50 YEARS. BUT THANK YOU GUYS.[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR JONES: THE NEXT ITEM IS A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.
ERIK, OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
SO TWO ITEMS THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. EARLIER THIS MONTH KRYSTAL JONES WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE, WAS OUR DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OFARTS & CULTURE ANDD WITH A WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM THE SAN ANTONIO BUSINESS JOURNAL.
[APPLAUSE] AND THIS COMPETITIVE AWARD RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN LEADERS FROM ACROSS A LOT OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES WHO DEMONSTRATE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT, AND STRONG LEADERSHIP AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. AND THE RECOGNITION, NOT ONLY.
POSITIVE IMPACT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS CITY-WIDE. SO I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE KRYSTAL AND TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU ALL OF THE AWARDS. GREAT JOB, KRYSTAL.
SECONDLY, WE SENT AN E-MAIL TO YOU ALL LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU THAT WERE AWARE THAT YESTERDAY WE HOSTED U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SHAWN DUFFY WHO WAS HERE PRIMARILY TO VISIT THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER THERE AT THE AIRPORT.
AND THEN AFTERWARDS ANNOUNCED THAT THAT TOWER, WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE FAA WOULD UNDERGO A $31 MILLION WORTH OF IMPROVEMENTS TO UPDATE THE TECHNOLOGY IN THAT BUILDING.
SINCE 2019, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE AIRPORT HAVE RECEIVED ALMOST $230 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS FOR BOTH CAPITAL AND OPERATIONS. AND THESE TYPES OF IMPROVEMENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRPORT REMAINS A SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRAVEL HUB.
SO GREAT NEWS. AND THEN, LASTLY, I WANT TO JUST THANK THE COUNCILMEMBERS FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT WORK THAT OUR DHS TEAM DOES AT THE SENIOR CENTERS AND CERTAINLY WE KNOW THAT IS AN IMPORTANT TASK AND AN IMPORTANT SERVICE THIS WE PROVIDE.
AND THE DHS TEAM CERTAINLY DOES A GREAT JOB OF MANAGING THOSE CENTERS.
SO THAT'S IT, MAYOR. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, ERIK.
AND SO ANY OBJECTION IT TAKING THE COP CENT AGENDA BEFORE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SO WE MAKE CLEAR THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY. OKAY.
PRESENTATION AND PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. ITEM 12 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY STAFF. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY? OKAY.
HEARING NONE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC... LET ME MAKE SURE THAT I GET THE LIST HERE.
OKAY. JACK FINGER, WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL.
THANK YOU. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR. >> WELL, MADAM MAYOR AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER AND FIRST SAY HOW IMPRESSED I WAS WITH ONE OF THE PROCLAMATIONS FOR THE GROUP DIGNITY, THE I LOOK FORWARD TO SOME DAY A PROCLAMATION FOR THE OTHER GROUP, COURAGE --
>> MAYOR JONES: SORRY. I NEED YOU TO STAY ON THE TOPIC YOU SIGNED UP FOR.
>> RIGHT. SOME ITEMS I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA IS, WELL, ITEM NO. 8 IS ABOUT, OH, AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH PWD FEATURE FILM PARTNERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FOR SAN ANTONIO FILM INCENTIVE FOR THE INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM -- WHAT'S IT CALLED? OH, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, LET'S PUT IT UP FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE.
THE UNDERLINED AREA THERE. $250,000 FOR PEOPLE WALK DOGS LATE AT NIGHT IN THE SUBURBS . THAT'S THE WORKING TITLE OF THIS PRODUCTION.
YEAH. RETURN THE CAMERA NOW. WHY ARE WE SPENDING $250,000 FOR A MOVIE JUST TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING WITH THEIR DOGS, WALKING THEM? I TELL YOU WHAT, MADAME MAYOR, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I TELL YOU WHAT. I WILL DO THIS FOR HALF THAT PRICE WITH MY OWN LITTLE
[00:35:03]
CAMERA, MOVIE CAMERA AND SO FORTH. AND I CAN DO IT FOR HALF THAT PRICE FOR YOU AND DO JUST AS GOOD OF QUALITY. I'M SURE I COULD.ANOTHER ONE IN THE SAME VEIN IS ANOTHER MOVIE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR. WHAT DOES IT SAY, MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN? $176,000 FOR ANOTHER FILM CALLED VERONA. WORKING TITLE.
RETURN THE CAMERA. THIS MOVING -- WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, PRODUCTION.
I LOOKED AT ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTS ON THESE THINGS. NONE OF THEM.
NEITHER ONE TELLS US WHAT THE MOVIE IS ALL ABOUT. VERONA.
IS IT ABOUT THE TOWN IN ITALY OR IT COULD BE SOMETHING WORSE.
SINCE THE BACKUPS DON'T TELL US WHAT IT'S ABOUT, WHY DO WE KNOW WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR PORNOGRAPHY? HAS ANYBODY SEEN THIS FILM? HUH? YEAH. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? MAYBE YOU WOULD WANT TO PULL THIS ONE AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT. YOU THINK? ALSO, LET'S SEE. ANOTHER ONE I HAVE HERE, ITEM NO. -- THAT'S 8, 9, 10.
ALSO THE. 10 WAS ABOUT A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. OH, SO MANY SCANDALS, SO LITTLE TIME.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA EXCEPT
FOR ITEM 12 THAT WAS WITHDRAWN? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBERS, ARE THERE HIGHLIGHTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA? YOU HAVE A HIGHLIGHT?
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. COUNCILMEMBER SPEARS. >> SPEARS: YES.
I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ITEM 6, WHICH IS THE ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TERMINAL A/B RECONFIGURATION AND REHABILITATION AT THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH MANHATTAN-JOERIS JOINT VENTURE.
SAN ANTONIO IS GROWING AND SO IS OUR AIRPORT. I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.
WE ARE APPROVING A $220 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TERMINALS A AND B.
THIS IS A REVENUE BOND BACKED BY THE AIRPORT'S REVENUES AND IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPACT PROPERTY TAXES. BUT THIS IS THE EXACT KIND OF ECONOMIC DRIVER THAT WE WANT TO SEE FOR SAN ANTONIO. BECAUSE THE AIRPORT REALLY IS THE FIRST THING PEOPLE SEE. IT'S THE LAST THING PEOPLE SEE WHEN WE VISIT OUR CITY AND IT SUPPORTS JOBS. IT ENCOURAGES TOURISM. IT HELPS US ATTRACT MORE BUSINESSES TO OUR COMMUNITY AND IT AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE FOR NEW INVESTMENT. I'M THRILLED TO HEAR THAT THE SECRETARY IS READY TO INVEST IN OUR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER. BUT THIS IS THE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT. IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP OUR BUSINESSES, OUR RESIDENTS, AND OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. I'M HOPING EVERYONE IS FLYING OUT OF SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SAN ANTONIO AND I KNOW THAT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MANHATTAN-JOERIS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE GREAT PARTNERS IN THIS.
REALLY PROUD THAT THIS IS IN DISTRICT 9 AND I'M REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF OUR AIRPORT BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO STAY ON TIME, ON SCOPE, AND ON BUDGET.
SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MAYOR JONES: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, ABSENT ITEM 12 THAT WAS WITHDRAWN.
PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION FOR ITEM 5. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE RENAMING OF CESAR E. CHAVEZ BOULEVARD TO DURANGO BOULEVARD LOCATED BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 36TH STREET AND SOUTH HACKBERRY STREET.
FUNDING OF $37,470 FOR THE INSTALLATION OF UPDATED SIGNS IS FROM THE GENERAL
FUND FY2026 ADOPTED BUDGET. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS AMIN TOMAZ. THE REQUEST IS TO RENAME CESAR CHAVEZ BOULEVARD TO
[00:40:06]
DURANGO BOULEVARD . THIS STRETCH OF STREET DOES GO FROM DISTRICT 1 TO 5 AND 6. IT GOES BETWEEN SOUTHWEST 36TH STREET IN DISTRICT 6 TO SOUTH HACKBERRY STREET IN DISTRICT 2 . DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A TECHNICAL REVIEW WITH SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OR OTHER AGENCIES AS WELL SUCH AS BEXAR COUNTY, BEXAR METRO 9-1-1, CPS, SAWS, TXDOT.WE DID SEND 420 NOTICES WERE MAILED OUT TO 412 PROPERTIES THAT THEY ARE ABUTTING THE STREET . AND MULTIPLE HOAS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CHANGE WILL AFFECT 295 ADDRESSES LOCATED THERE.
THIS IS THE TIMELINE. WE STARTED MARCH 23 TO APRIL 2 E COMMUNITY.
AND WE GOT 79% OF THE SURVEYS RECOMMENDED TO GO BACK TO DURANGO WITH THE NAME CHANGE. BUT THEN IN APRIL WE CONDUCTED TWO LISTENING SESSIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THEN IN MAY WE DID THE TECHNICAL REVIEW WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT I JUST MENTIONED. IN JUNE WE WENT TO THE HISTORIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION AND PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOTH COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO GET A FINAL RECOMMENDATION FROM YOU. THE FISCAL IMPACT IS ABOUT $375,000 TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT. APPLICATION FEE IS ABOUT $1,000.
THE NOTIFICATION FEE WAS CLOSE TO $2,000. THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SIGNAGE IS ABOUT $122,000. AND THEN TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SIGN IS ABOUT $250,000. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
>> MAYOR JONES: JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS, WHEN WILL THE ENTIRE RENAMING BE
COMPLETE, IF THIS IS APPROVED? >> YES.
ONCE IT'S APPROVED, WE START THE PROCESS. PUBLIC WORKS WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO DO THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNAGE THAT WE DO, THE CITY. TXDOT, WE JUST GOT CONFIRMATION FROM THEM.
TAKES 6 TO 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT. >> MAYOR JONES: IN CASE ANYONE ELSE RAISES IT. THIS NAME CHANGE IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT ANYBODY'S
ABILITY TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER, CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM.
WE DID CONFIRM THAT. WE DID REACH OUT TO THE COUNTY AND WE GOT CONFIRMATION IN WRITING AS WELL THAT IT DOES NOT AFFECT ANYTHING.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANKS FOR GETTING IT IN WRITING. OKAY.
I'LL TURN THIS OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES -- FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU, AMIN. BROS GARCIA, YOU HAVE THREE
MINUTES. FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER. >> BUENOS DIAS MAYOR JONES AND RESPECTFUL COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ROSE GARCIA.
I AM REPRESENTING MY PARENTS, MY BROTHERS AND SISTER, AND THE AMAZING WEST SIDE COMMUNITY IN THE CORAZON DE SAN ANTONIO . THANKS TO GOD FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS WE HAVE LIVED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE ATTENDED SCHOOLS AND CHURCH. WE ARE HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE SURROUNDED BY OUR MEXICAN HERITAGE AND HISTORY WITH A LOVING MEXICAN CITY AND STATE-NAMED STREETS SUCH AS MONTERREY, SALTILLO, TAMPICO, VERACRUZ, AND DURANGO.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER RENAMING CESAR CHAVEZ BOULEVARD TO DURANGO BOULEVARD. MUCHAS GRACIAS. [APPLAUSE]
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. JACK FINGER, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, SIR.
>> MADAME MAYOR, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
ANY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. I'M SORRY THAT A HERO OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, CESAR CHAVEZ, WELL FELL FROM GRACE, SO TO SPEAK. BUT, YOU KNOW, THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, ALL IS NOT TOO LOST. YOU KNOW, WITH AT LEAST ONE POLITICAL PARTY, PHILANDERING IS KNOWN AS A RESUME ENHANCER.
[00:45:03]
YES. WE WITNESSED ONE OF OUR SAN ANTONIO MAYORS FROM THE 1980S OR ONE OF OUR U.S. PRESIDENTS FROM THE 1990S. THEY PLAYED AROUND AND THEY SUFFERED NO CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT. WHAT A SHAME.ANYWAY, BUT I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE RETURNING THE NAME OF DURANGO TO THIS STREET.
IT'S A NOTED STATE IN MEXICO. HAS A LONG HISTORY BEHIND IT. I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT. BUT I NOTICED THAT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CATCH PEOPLE'S ATTENTION, MOTORISTS, AS THEY'RE TRAVELING ALONG DURANGO STREET, TURNING ON TO IT, IF YOU WANT TO PUT A NAME THAT GETS THEIR ATTENTION, JUST SIMPLY NAME IT THE JACK M. FINGER BOULEVARD.
I GUARANTEE YOU PEOPLE WILL SEE THAT AND THEY WILL ALMOST HAVE ACCIDENTS STOPPING SUDDENLY BECAUSE THEY SAY WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? YEAH. JUST A SUGGESTION THERE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR JONES: IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 5 SO WE CAN GIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSION. THERE'S IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> VIAGRAN: SECOND. . >> MAYOR JONES:
COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR BRINGING THIS PROPOSAL FORWARD AND CREATING THE URGENCY FOR THIS CHANGE.
THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF FOR Y'ALL'S QUICK ACTION TO GET WORKING ON THIS.
YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS INFORMATION CAME TO LIGHT, IT WAS EXTREMELY SHOCKING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT ESPECIALLY TO THE LATINO COMMUNITY.
WE'RE RESILIENT AND WE'LL MOVE PAST THIS. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WOMEN SHOULD ALWAYS BE BELIEVED. YOU KNOW, THESE WOMEN THAT CAME FORWARD, MAYBE 50 YEARS AGO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED THEM BUT THEY BELIEVE THEM NOW. WE HAVE TO COURSE CORRECT AND DO THE RIGHT THINGS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THEIR DIGNITY CAN SOMEHOW BE RESTORED.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SENSITIVE TOPIC. IT'S A SENSITIVE CHANGE BUT THIS IS A CHANGE THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH. THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR GETTING MOVING ON THIS. THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF FOR
MAKING IT HAPPEN. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM, SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS
ITEM, RAISE YOUR HAND. >> CASTILLO: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ENGAGING FOLKS TO HEAR WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS WERE ON THE PROPOSED RENAMING. WE HEARD A WIDE RANGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND I WAS GRATEFUL TO SHARE WITH THEM THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A MEMORIAL WAY HONORING BOTH.
PAYING HOMAGE TO THAT MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY ON THE WEST SIDE, I'M GRATEFUL THIS COUNCIL MOVED WITH URGENCY. EVERY COUNCILMEMBER REACHED OUT AND SAID, HEY, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS? SO GRATEFUL THIS IS A BODY TOGETHER THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY TO MOVE WITH URGENCY. I'M GRATEFUL THAT MY COLLEAGUES ALSO HAD THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS, THAT COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO AND HER TEAM IN TERMS OF, HEY, IS THIS GOING TO IMPACT FOLKS' ABILITY TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER? GRATEFUL THAT STAFF WAS ABLE TO GET AN ANSWER ON THAT. I WILL SAY THIS.
IT'S JUST BEEN A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION TO NAVIGATE.
BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT PUBLIC SPACES SHOULD REFLECT THE PUBLIC'S VALUES AND THE PUBLIC'S COMMUNITY. AND AGAIN, OVER A MONTH-LONG PROCESS, INPUT PROCESS, THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON CESAR CHAVEZ AND NOW PROPOSED DURANGO MADE IT CLEAR THEY WANT A KEY HISTORICAL THOROUGHFARE TO REFLECT THE NAME AND PIECE OF HISTORY THEY COULD BE PROUD OF. BECAUSE OF ITS ROOTS IN MEXICO AND ITS TIES TO THE ORIGINAL 36-MILE FOOTPRINT, THE DURANGO NAME IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF SAN ANTONIO'S HISTORY. IT IS ONE OF THE MANY STREETS, ALL IN CLOSE PROXIMITY NAMED AFTER MEXICAN AMERICAN TOWNS WHICH SIGNIFIED SAN ANTONIO'S DEEP HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC CONNECTION WITH MEXICO. AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE'S FEEDBACK, PARTICULARLY THE RESIDENTS WHO RESIDE ON THAT CORRIDOR THAT EXPRESSED THEIR PRIORITY AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STREET RENAMED.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO RESIDE ON THE PROPOSED STREET AND I VALUE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE ON THAT CORRIDOR. THANK YOU, ROSE AND YOUR FAMILY FOR BEING ACTIVE AND JUST A WIDE RANGE OF FOLKS FOR GIVING THEIR INPUT AND IDEAS ON WHAT ALTERNATIVES COULD BE. BUT TYING IT BACK TO THAT
[00:50:04]
HISTORY OF -- MEXICAN HISTORY IN SAN ANTONIO IS ONE THAT WE CAN MINIMIZE, GIVEN THAT THERE'S TAMPICO, SO MANY OTHER STREETS AND TOWNS NAMED IN THAT CORRIDOR. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS AND I LOOK FORWARD TOHEARING DISCUSSION. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR LEADING ON THIS ISSUE.
HER AND HER TEAM WORKED HARD TO CONNECT WITH US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND OF COURSE WE WERE EAGER TO SUPPORT. WE HAVE A SLIVER IN DISTRICT 6 BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS BEFORE ABOUT THE ISSUE OF CHANGING THE NAME TO BEGIN WITH. WE HEARD ABOUT THE NEWS RELATED TO CHAVEZ -- AND I WON'T BELABOR THE CONVERSATION BEYOND THE POINT THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE ISSUES OF ASSAULT SERIOUSLY, NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENED, NO MATTER WHEN SOMEONE COMES FORWARD. THE HARM IS THERE AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY SERIOUSLY.
I HEARD FROM DISTRICTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. THERE WAS SOME COMMENTS ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STILL SUPPORTING THE HISTORY OF MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND THE CHICANO CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
WE CAN STILL HONOR THE LEGACY OF FOLKS COMING TOGETHER TO PUSH FOR CIVIL RIGHTS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, PUSH FOR LABOR RIGHTS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY IN SAN ANTONIO BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
WITHOUT FOCUSING ON THIS ONE INDIVIDUAL. THAT'S NOT WHAT MOVEMENT POLITICS IS. IT'S ABOUT HOW RESIDENTS, ORDINARY FOLKS COME TOGETHER AND ARE ABLE TO MAKE CHANGE TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY. AND THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE.
WHEN OUR RESIDENTS CAME TOGETHER AND SHOWCASED THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US, THE HISTORY OF DURANGO. IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN RESIDENTS COME TOGETHER AND PUSH FOR CHANGE. EDGEWOOD, IN PARTICULAR.
ALONG 36 AND OLD HIGHWAY 90. TO BE MORE EQUAL HERE IN OUR STATE IS THE WAY WE CAN CONTINUE TO HONOR OUR RESIDENTS, AND WE DO. WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS MEASURE AND THANK COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS CONVERSATION AND HAPPY TO SUPPORT.
>> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
I DO WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO FOR TAKING THE CHARGE IN LEADING THIS. YOU KNOW, I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER -- AND MY FAMILY AND RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 3, SOME OF THEM STILL REFER TO IT AS DURANGO, AS WE TALKED ABOUT IT TODAY. THEY ARE VERY PLEASED. AND THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF WHAT I HEARD FROM THE RESIDENTS IS WE STILL CALL IT THAT, JUST CHANGE IT BACK OR RENAME IT TO THAT. I'M PLEASED WE COULD FIND THAT SOLUTION READILY AND IT CONTINUES TO SPEAK TO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR HISTORY, HOW WE'VE GROWN, AND WE HOW CONTINUE TO HONOR OUR HISTORY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT.
I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A LARGER CONVERSATION, AS WE LOOK -- I PREFER MEMORIAL WAYS THAN TO FULL STREET CHANGING. I THINK THAT'S EASIER.
IF WE DO THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR LONGER STREETS.
I DO WANT TO FOCUS ON OUR STORIES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO AND OUR LEADERS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH PICKING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND HONORING THEM WITH A MEMORIAL WAY BUT I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN AND AROUND WITH THOSE PEOPLE TELL THE STORIES AND ADVOCATE FOR THAT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO STILL HAVING MEMORIAL WAYS THAT HONOR THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO IN AND ACROSS THE CITIES BUT I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE VERY HAPPY TO GET DURANGO BACK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO DO THAT AND MOVE
SO QUICKLY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU.
WOULD ANY OF -- ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER KAUR.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST REALLY WANTED TO QUICKLY SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WHEN THIS FIRST CAME UP. I WAS JUST REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WE GOT FROM THIS. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK THE -- WAS IT C&E THAT DID THE COMMUNITY SESSIONS? I FEEL LIKE IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS BUT C&E HAD SOME GREAT TURNOUT AT COMMUNITY SESSIONS AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME TO SEE HOW MUCH PASSION THERE WAS AROUND THIS NAME CHANGE.
I THINK THAT SHOWS THE HISTORY AND THE CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO THANK JOHN'S TEAM AND AMIN FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AS WELL.
AND I LOVED LOOKING THROUGH THAT WHOLE LIST OF RESPONSES THAT CAME BACK FROM THE SURVEY. I SAW SO MANY CREATIVE IDEAS OF NAMES.
[00:55:06]
SPURS WAY. GET IT? LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING DURANGO. I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING. DURANGO BOULEVARD, LABOR STREET NEEDS A STREETLIGHT. I'LL GET THE HANG OF IT. THANK, COUNCILWOMANCASTILLO. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THERE BEING NO DISCUSSION, IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM NO. 5. PLEASE VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU. THAT IS THE CONCLUSION OF BUSINESS FOR THE DAY.
THE TIME IS NOW 10:05 AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.