[00:00:08] >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THE TIME IS NOW 10:11 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN AND YOUR WEEK IS OFF TO AN EXCELLENT START. WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE ROLL? >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: TODAY IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY LIGHT AGENDA. WE HAVE OUR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT BUT WE'LL START OFF WITH APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 29TH COMMITTEE MEETING. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: MOTION CARRIES. OUR FIRST -- I GUESS I'LL KICK IT OVER TO JEFF. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE NEXT ITEM. >> COYLE: SURE. JUST VERY BASIC PROCESS. THIS IS OUR FIRST LAYOUT OF OUR DRAFT FEDERAL AGENDA. JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE STATE, WE WILL TAKE YOUR FEEDBACK HERE TODAY. WE'LL WORK WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES DIRECTLY, AND WE'LL COME BACK WITH A REVISED PROGRAM REFLECTING YOUR FEEDBACK. AND I'M SURE SALLY IS GOING TO SAY THIS BUT TODAY IS ELECTION DAY. THE NEW CONGRESS WILL CONVENE IN JANUARY SO THIS IS A PROGRAM INTENDED TO ALIGN WITH THE TWO-YEAR CONGRESSIONAL TERM THAT STARTS IN '27. >> BASURTO: GOOD MORNING. SALLY BASURTO, DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE SHARP PIVOT TO THE FEDERAL AND THE CONGRESSIONAL LANDSCAPE AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO JANUARY 2027 IN JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS. MR. CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MY PRESENTATION TODAY, AS ALREADY STATED, IS A COMBINATION OF MULTI-MONTH WORK EFFORTS THAT HAVE ALREADY COME INTO PLAY IN ORDER TO BRING YOU THE DRAFT VERSION BEFORE YOU TODAY. THE 120TH CONGRESS ESSENTIALLY WILL INCORPORATE VARIOUS PRIORITY ISSUES AND AREAS THAT WE ARE BRINGING TO YOU TODAY FOR CONSIDERATION, REVIEW, AND FEEDBACK. I WILL ALSO GO OVER A FEW NEXT STEPS THAT WE WILL ENGAGE IN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. FOR EACH SESSION, AS YOU KNOW, CONGRESS AND CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS THE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM THAT ESTABLISHES THE CITY'S POLICY, DIRECTION, AND PRIORITIES. THIS IS A BLUEPRINT FOR THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM AND OUR FEDERAL CONSULTANTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO. THROUGH THE MONTHS THAT HAVE LED US TO TODAY, WE HAVE RECEIVED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. WE ALSO HAVE ENGAGED WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS SAN ANTONIO AND THE REGION TO BE ABLE TO GATHER THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THIS PROGRAM AS LONG AS THAT THEY DO NOT INTERJECT WITH THE PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY. WE ARE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK -- AND THERE WILL BE VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO GATHER INPUT FROM YOU INDIVIDUALLY AS WE DID FOR THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. WE WILL ALSO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FULL COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT, CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND WORK TOWARDS COUNCIL ADOPTION. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THESE ARE THE SIX AREAS THAT ARE COMPRISED OF THE DRAFT PROGRAM. IT INCORPORATES ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. OF COURSE, MILITARY CITY, USA, MILITARY PROTECTION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY AND TRANSPORTATION. WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES. THIS IS A TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE BEGINNING IN 2027 THROUGH 2028. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES AND STAFF TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND CAPTURE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT WOULD BE OF IMPACT TO THE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, OUR FEDERAL CONSULTANTS IN D.C. PROVIDE US REALTIME UPDATES TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE THE HAPPENINGS IN D.C. AND PROVIDE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS PROGRAM TOO. I WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP OF COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS ON THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ADVOCACY COMMITTEE, IN PARTICULAR. SHE'S ON ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE . THIS COMMITTEE IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PORTFOLIO OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO DO IN THIS LANDSCAPE. I KNOW, COUNCILWOMAN, YOU WILL BE AT NLC AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR [00:05:04] LEADERSHIP THERE. AS WELL AS COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ WHO SITS ON THE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT . ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT COMMITTEE AND I BELIEVE THE COUNCILWOMAN WILL ALSO BE AT NLC PARTICIPATING IN THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS WITH THAT NLC COMMITTEE. THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR PARTICIPATION AT THIS NATIONAL PLATFORM ALLOWS SAN ANTONIO TO HAVE A CHAIR AT THE TABLE AND FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LET'S KICK START THE PRESENTATION WITH THE ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION. WE ARE PROPOSING SUPPORT FUNDING TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A CONSTANT STAPLE IN OUR FEDERAL PROGRAM, THROUGH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INCENTIVES, GRANT PROGRAMS, OF COURSE, AND REGULATIONS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE 21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF HOUSING AND HIGH COST OF HOUSING AS WELL. OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO US, THIS PARTICULAR LAW WAS SIGNED BY CONGRESS, PASSED BY CONGRESS, AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT IN JUST JULY OF THIS YEAR. THE ROAD TO HOUSING DOES AUTHORIZE VARIOUS EXISTING PROGRAMS BUT ALSO IMPLEMENTS NEW PROGRAMS TO THE HOUSING LANDSCAPE THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE COMMUNITY. IT EXPANDS THE USE, IN PARTICULAR, OF CDBG FUNDS FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOME CONSTRUCTION. IT LOUD FOR INCENTIVES FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT UNDER CDBG AS WELL AS IT REQUIRES THE CREATION OF AN ACCESSIBLE, SEARCHABLE DATABASE. A GREAT TOOL TO IDENTIFY THE UNDERDEVELOPED LAND IN VARIOUS PARTICULAR JURISDICTIONS. IT REAUTHORIZES AND REFORMS THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. AS YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE BLOCK GRANTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THROUGH CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE AND MULTIFAMILY RENTAL PROPERTIES. IN ADDITION, IT ALSO ADDS FLEXIBILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH OF COURSE THIS OFFERS SHELTER SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. OF SPECIAL NOTE, IT ALSO ADDS THE ABILITY FOR VETERAN DISABILITY BENEFITS IN THEIR INCOME DETERMINATION FOR THIS WILL ALSO SUPPORT SOME ASPECTS OF VETERANS TRYING TO ACCESS THESE SERVICES. AND AGAIN, AN ADDITIONAL TOOL FOR OUR HOUSING TEAM. IT CREATES A $200 MILLION COMPETITIVE INNOVATION FUND FOR COMMUNITIES THAT DEMONSTRATE MEASURABLE INCREASES IN HOUSING SUPPLY AS WELL. LASTLY, BECAUSE THIS WAS SHORTLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THE NEW OPPORTUNITY ZONES WERE SHARED AND IN THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE, THIS PRIORITIZES PROJECTS IN OPPORTUNITY HOME. OUR HOUSING TEAM WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS PARTICULAR TOOL VERY CLOSELY. HUD IS CURRENTLY WRITING THE RULES, THE GUIDANCE, AND THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE NEW PROGRAMS. SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHERE EXACTLY THOSE GUARDRAILS WILL LAND BUT WE WILL BE MONITORING THIS CLOSELY. CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS ARE PENDING FOR THE NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE INCORPORATED IN THE ROAD TO HOUSING. SO WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR DELEGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE PRIORITIZED. I MENTIONED AGAIN THE CDBG HOME AND ESG PROGRAMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAMS TO OUR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS TEAMS SO WE INCLUDE THOSE AS A STAPLE IN OUR PROGRAM AS WELL. WE ARE RECOMMENDING SUPPORT FUNDING TO ASSIST THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AND ENSURE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY AMENITIES IN AND AROUND THAT WILL BENEFIT THE IMPROVEMENTS, NOT JUST WITHIN THE HEMISFAIR FOOTPRINT BUT IN THE AREAS SURROUNDING THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND THE NEAR EAST, WEST, NORTH, AND SOUTH SIDES OF THIS FOOTPRINT. IN ADDITION, ANY PROPOSED UPDATES TO FEDERAL GRANT UNIFORM GUIDELINES INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT ENGAGEMENT, INFLUENCE, AND COMMENTS FROM OUR STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL AS OURSELVES, MAKING SURE THAT THE SAFEGUARDS AROUND GRANT FUNDING ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR OUR APPROACH TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. BY WAY OF BACKGROUND EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE U.S. MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OR USOMB PROPOSED VARIOUS RULES THAT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REVISE THE RULES THAT ESSENTIALLY GOVERN FEDERAL GRANTS. [00:10:05] MANY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES WOULD IMPACT GRANTS DIRECTLY AND HOW RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS RECEIVE THOSE GRANTS. WE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH A LARGE COALITION EFFORT, THAT INCLUDES THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES, THE CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. WE PROVIDED COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT USOMB WAS AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THIS PROPOSED RULE. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED RULES HAS BEEN PAUSED UNTIL DECEMBER 11. SO WE WILL AWAIT THE RESULTS OF THOSE BUT WE ARE MONITORING CLOSELY AND WE'LL REPORT THAT TO YOU AS NEW INFORMATION IS MADE AVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY HERE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT LEGISLATION AND POLICIES THAT ENSURE NEW DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS DATA CENTERS OR THE USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES SO THAT THEY DO NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT, STRAIN THE UTILITY CAPACITY, OR PASS COSTS ON TO HOMEOWNERS IN THE SAN ANTONIO AREA. DATA CENTERS HAS ALSO BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IN D.C. WITH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NOT A CONSENSUS ON WHERE THE HOUSE AND SENATE FALL WITHIN THE TOPIC. THERE HAS BEEN A BILL FILED BY THE HOUSE CALLED THE RATEPAYER PROTECTION ACT . ESSENTIALLY, THE LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE STATES TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A FEDERAL STANDARD DIRECTING DATA CENTERS WITH ELECTRICITY DEMAND OF 100 MEGAWATTS OR MORE TO COVER THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF THE ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE, UPGRADES NEEDED TO SERVE THEM. THAT WAS ON THE HOUSE SIDE. ON THE SENATE SIDE, ON SEPTEMBER 30 -- NOT TOO LONG AGO -- THEY INTRODUCED A BILL NAMED BIPARTISAN AMERICAN AFFORDABILITY AND JOBS ACT . THERE REALLY IS NO ALIGNMENT WITH THE HOUSE VERSION. THIS BILL IS ESSENTIALLY BROAD PERMITTING. AND IT REFORMS AND IT INCLUDES PROVISIONS REQUIRING DATA CENTERS AND ELECTRICITY NEEDS OF 20 MEGAWATTS OR MORE TO COVER THE TRANSMISSION COSTS. TO ADD A THIRD PORTION OF THIS DISCUSSION IN D.C., THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BROADLY SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF DATA CENTERS ACROSS THE NATION. THERE WAS ONE CONVENING THAT THE PRESIDENT HELD A FEW MONTHS BACK TRYING TO GET SOME OF THE LARGEST AI ENTITIES TO COMMIT TO MAKING SURE THAT THE ELECTRICITY COSTS OF THE DATA CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WERE NOT BEING PASSED ON TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THE WHITE HOUSE IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE CREATION OF DATA CENTER OPERATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ON TO MILITARY CITY, USA, MILITARY PROTECTION. WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE JBSA'S MISSION IN SAN ANTONIO IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH READINESS AND ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION OF THE REGION'S MILITARY BASES BY HELPING TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND GROW MILITARY MISSIONS AND INSTALLATIONS IN SAN ANTONIO. OUR TEAM MAINTAINS A ROBUST PORTFOLIO OF THESE MILITARY PRIORITIES IN COORDINATION WITH THEIR STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH JBSA IN SUPPORT OF THESE PRIORITIES. IN PARTICULAR, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE SUPPORT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW VA MEDICAL CENTER. THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OF THE 1973 AUDI MURPHY HOSPITAL REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL HEALTHCARE INVESTMENTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. THE STATUS OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDES A MAJOR MILESTONE THAT WAS RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE RECORD OF DECISION OR THE ROD. FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OR THE EIS. THIS PARTICULAR RECORD OF DECISION SIGNIFIES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HAS ESSENTIALLY COMPLETED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS AND FORMALLY DOCUMENTED THE DECISION REGARDING THE PROJECT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE STEPS STILL REMAINING FOR THIS PARTICULAR STAGE. HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING FOR LAND ACQUISITION THAT IS CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE AND VETERANS APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH A PRICE TAG OF $30 MILLION . SO SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD AND WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH OUR DELEGATION. CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR [00:15:02] CONFIRMED THIS WILL STAY IN THE BILL ONCE WE GET THROUGH THE SENATE PORTION IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO RECONCILE THEIR VERSIONS OF THIS BILL. UNDER PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY, WE'RE PROPOSING TO SUPPORT EXPANDED FUNDING DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PUBLIC SAFETY, LOWERING VIOLENT AND NON-VIOLENT CRIME, ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE AREAS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND OFFICER TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT PROGRAMS. THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE VERY ACTIVE GRANT DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE CITY. THEY CONTINUOUSLY TRACK AND MONITOR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM AND IT IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE REALLY LEAN IN ON TRYING TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. IN PARTICULAR, IN THE LAST THREE YEARS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COPS HIRING GRANT, WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED ABOUT $16 MILLION TO HIRE 128 NEW OFFICERS. SO THE COPS HIRING GRANT IS ONE OF THE SUCCESSES AT THE FEDERAL GRANTS LEVEL THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY. IN ADDITION, WE ARE PROPOSING SUPPORTING PROGRAMS AND INCREASED FUNDING TO PROMOTE A REGIONAL APPROACH TO PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS, AND RESPONSE WITHIN THE HOMELAND SECURITY SPACE. THIS INCLUDES THE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE AS WELL AS THE REGIONAL CATASTROPHIC PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM, ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT, AND THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH ARE ALSO PASS-THROUGH DOLLARS FOR LOCALS IN THE STATE. OF SPECIAL INTEREST IS THE GRANT PROGRAM. EVERY YEAR WE STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUATION AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR UASI. UASI PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE SAN ANTONIO URBAN AREA TO PREVENT AND PROTECT AGAINST ANY ACTS OF TERRORISM THAT MAY OCCUR AT A DOMESTIC LEVEL. IT ALLOWS US TO RESPOND AND MANAGE AND RECOVER FROM VARIOUS THREATS THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE REGION. SINCE 2004, THE SAN ANTONIO URBAN AREA HAS RECEIVED OVER $90 MILLION IN UASI FUNDING AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY $70 MILLION OF THOSE 90 WITH THE REMAINING GOING TO BEXAR COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS. SO A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE HERE TO ENSURE THAT THE SAN ANTONIO URBAN AREA CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THESE FUNDING AMOUNTS TO OUR REGION. UNDER INFRASTRUCTURE, RESILIENCY, AND TRANSPORTATION, WE'RE PROPOSING SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY FOR THE REAUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION AS WELL AS PROJECTS IN TRANSIT IN THE AVIATION SPACE FOR OUR AIRPORT NEEDS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO MEET THE GROWTH WITHIN SAN ANTONIO. OUR TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION FOR THESE PROJECTS WILL BE IN COLLABORATION WITH VIA TRANSIT. THE AVIATION GRANTS IN THIS SPACE ALSO INCLUDE THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, OR ATP, FOR PLANNING AND CAPITAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE AIRPORT TERMINAL PROGRAM FOR MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION, AS WELL AS THE TOWER GRANT PROGRAM. THESE ALL ARE COMPETITIVE GRANTS. AGAIN, THE AVIATION TEAM IS ONE OF THE CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT IS VERY GRANTS ACTIVE IN THIS SPACE SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO PURSUE THESE GRANTS PROACTIVELY IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING SUPPORT FUNDING AND PROGRAMS TO INCREASE SAN ANTONIO'S RESILIENCY TO NATURAL DISASTERS, INCLUDING FLOOD MITIGATION AND THE BRICK GRANT PROGRAM THAT FALLS UNDER FEMA. OF SPECIAL NOTE, THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BILL , IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING THAT WE ARE PROPOSING HERE TO BACK UP A LITTLE BIT, THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BILL IS AUTHORIZED EVERY FIVE YEARS. IN THIS PARTICULAR ROUND OF CONGRESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS, WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE BUILD AMERICA 250 ACT . LIKE MOST SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BILLS, THESE FIVE-YEAR REAUTHORIZATION TRANSPORTATION PACKAGES HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. THIS PACKAGE IS APPROXIMATELY $580 BILLION WORTH OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS AND CONTINUE VARIOUS PROGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSED BILL PASSED THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THE HOUSE VOTE IS PENDING. [00:20:03] THIS ESSENTIALLY INCORPORATES MANY OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BILL THAT YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE AS A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW OR BILL. AGAIN, THE SENATE'S VERSION IS PENDING. ONE MORE. SUPPORT POLICIES THAT SAFELY DEVELOP AND DEPLOY EMERGING TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES. IN THIS PARTICULAR SPACE, WE HAVE CAPTURED THAT THERE ARE ONGOING CONGRESSIONAL CONVERSATIONS REGARDING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY PROGRAMMING AS WELL. DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THAT ONE. UNDER WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION, WE'RE PROPOSING SUPPORTING FUNDING FOR OUR CONTINUING WORKFORCE PORTFOLIO EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED ADULTS AND YOUTH TRANSITIONING TO THE WORKFORCE. THIS ALIGNS WITH THE PROPOSED AND COUNCIL-ADOPTED LANGUAGE IN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AS WELL. IN ADDITION, SUPPORT THE CREATION AND EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION TO PREPARE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT ALIGNS WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM. BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, OUR HEAD START FUNDING INCLUDED IN OUR FY27 BUDGET FOR HEAD START PROGRAMMING IS OVER $21.9 MILLION. WE RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY $3.5 MILLION FOR EARLY HEAD START AND THEN WE ALSO MANAGE THE CHILDCARE QUALITY INITIATIVE GRANT FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES AND RISING STAR PROGRAMMING. THAT IS APPROXIMATELY $7.6 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WE'RE PROPOSING SUPPORT FUNDING AND PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AND HELP REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY. CURRENTLY, THE FARM BILL LEGISLATION IS MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS. THE LAST AUTHORIZATION OF THIS FOOD PACKAGE WAS REAUTHORIZED IN 2018. THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS EXTENSIONS SINCE THEN. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE VERSION OF THIS FARM BILL INCLUDES A ONE-YEAR SNAP COST SHIFT DELAY. AS WE'VE DISCUSSED BEFORE, INCLUDED IN THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, THERE WERE VARIOUS CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE ADOPTED BY THE STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WILL REQUIRE THEM TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL OR A LARGER PIECE OF COVERING SNAP BENEFITS. THE STATES ARE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND CURRENTLY THERE IS A PAUSE IN THAT SHIFT THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THROUGH THE FARM BILL. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE LANGUAGE TO SUPPORT UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND INCREASE PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND PROGRAMS THAT HELP ADDRESS SAN ANTONIO'S MOST CRITICAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. INCLUDED AND RECOMMENDED BY OUR SAN ANTONIO METRO HEALTH TEAM IS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RATE OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND THE HEALTHY START PROGRAM UNDER THE CDC LANDSCAPE. LASTLY HERE, SUPPORT CHANGES TO THE NO SURPRISES ACT INDEPENDENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS. TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES THAT ARE INCREASING HEALTHCARE COSTS. THERE WAS PREVIOUS LEGISLATION THAT ESTABLISHED, THROUGH THE NO SURPRISES ACT, AN ARBITRATION SYSTEM THAT HAS RECEIVED SINCE ITS APPLICATION, MANY MORE MILLIONS OF CLAIMS THAT WERE UNEXPECTED. AND THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDING MUCH HIGHER AMOUNTS TO PROVIDERS AND MORE OFTEN. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ENGAGE OUR DELEGATION TO TRY TO AVOID THESE HEALTHCARE COSTS THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS IN SAN ANTONIO. LASTLY, OUR NEXT STEPS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROCESS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM IN COORDINATION WITH THE IGR COMMITTEE. THOSE OF YOU ATTENDING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OUR FEDERAL CONSULTANTS TEAM WILL BE THERE PRESENT TO PROVIDE A POST-ELECTION BRIEFING AND OUTLOOK AND OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR 2027 AND '28. MR. CHAIRMAN, I BELIEVE YOU WON'T BE THERE SO I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU A COPY OF THAT PRESENTATION AND/OR AN INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING AT YOUR CONVENIENCE. WE WILL AIM TO COME BACK TO THE IGR COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM TO ADVANCE IT TO THE B SESSION CONSIDERATION. I WILL ALSO INCORPORATE TIME, AS I DID FOR THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM, TO OBTAIN INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK FROM YOU AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AS WE WORK TOWARDS JANUARY 3 AND COUNCIL ADOPTION OF THE PROGRAM IN LATE FEBRUARY OR EARLY [00:25:05] FEBRUARY. MR. CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, SALLY. THANK YOU, JEFF AND THE ENTIRE TEAM WHO PUT WORK BEHIND THIS INITIAL DRAFT FOR OUR DISCUSSION AND FOR WHAT WE KNOW WILL BE AMENDMENT AND MULTIPLE ADDITIONS AND CHANGES UNTIL WE ADOPT. I DID NEGLECT TO MENTION THAT TODAY IS ELECTION DAY SO IT'S A VERY EXCITING TIME FOR OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTRY AND HOPEFULLY IT IS A -- WHATEVER THE RESULTS ARE, HOPEFULLY WE ARE BETTER FOR IT. WHAT MAKES A LOT OF THIS SOMEWHAT SIMPLER IS THAT WE ARE A HOTBED OF A NUMBER OF MAJOR ISSUES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED NATIONALLY, WHETHER IT'S INCREASED ICE ENFORCEMENT, DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT, OR GROWING COST FOR CITIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES IN OUR GENERAL FUND. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE DEALING WITH AND SO MY HOPE IS THAT WE'LL FIND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ALLIES IN D.C. A FEW THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE -- AND THIS PRESENTATION HIT ON A NUMBER OF THE ISSUES. I KNOW IT'S MEANT TO BE VERY BROAD AND SO SOMETIMES WE'LL GET INTO MINUTIA AND THE DETAILS AND THE NUANCE. OVERALL, I WILL STATE I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS. I WILL SAY THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULT OF TONIGHT'S ELECTION ARE, WE NEED TO OPPOSE THE ICE DETENTION FACILITY AND EFFORTS LIKE IT AND INSTEAD SUPPORT FAIR AND JUST, EFFICIENT PATHWAYS TO CITIZENSHIP. I THINK THAT'S NUMBER ONE. THAT'S ONE THING THAT I DIDN'T SEE EXPLICITLY THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF TIMES -- SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS DETENTION FACILITY AND INCREASED ICE ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPLICITLY NAMED AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT NO MATTER HOW TONIGHT'S ELECTION RESULTS GO THAT WE ARE STEADFAST IN THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW OPPORTUNITY HOME PLANS TO ADVOCATE. WE HAVE HOUSING PARTNERS AND WHAT THEIR EFFORTS ARE. PLANS TO ADVOCATE TO SUPPORT AND IMPROVE OUR PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK. ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I KNOW MY OFFICE HAS FACED -- AND I'LL PROBABLY GO AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT EVERY OFFICE HAS PROBABLY DEALT WITH THIS, IS THAT A LOT OF APARTMENTS ARE POORLY MANAGED AND NOT WELL MAINTAINED. AND WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY TO RENOVATE THEM OR TO SUPPORT. OUR RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO LIVE IN -- I'M TRYING TO BE NICE. IN CONDITIONS THAT THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO LIVE IN. AND SO WE HAVE SUCH -- AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SUCH LIMITED CAPACITY IN OUR BOND AVAILABLE TO US. AND EVEN WITHIN THESE GRANTS THAT WE RECEIVE, CDBG, HOME, THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH. SO EVERY ADDITIONAL DOLLAR THAT COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, WE SHOULD BE REACHING FOR. TO THAT END, GRANTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR MAKING MUCH OF OUR WORK POSSIBLE. I THINK THE FOCUS OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS OFTEN GRANTS. SO AS MANY DOLLARS AS WE CAN RECEIVE, WHETHER IT'S FOR TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, THE LIKE. YOU KNOW, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MAJOR ROADWAYS, ELIMINATION OOF CROSSINGS, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE I APPRECIATE A LOT OF THIS IS ALREADY NAMED BUT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN RECEIVE TO ESTABLISH QUIET ZONES. I KNOW THAT HASN'T BEEN AN EFFORT IN YEARS PAST BUT TRAINS ARE A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE AND EVERY ELEMENT OF THEM CAUSE GRIEF. WHETHER IT'S THE TRAFFIC CAUSED BY TRAINS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR CITY OR IT'S TRAINS HONKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT NEXT TO HOUSES. ANYTHING THAT WE CAN GET TO HELP -- I THINK ALSO THE PROBLEM WITH QUIET ZONES WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE ADHERED TO SO WE AS A CITY COULD INVEST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THIS INFRASTRUCTURE TO CREATE A QUIET ZONE BUT THEN THE TRAINS HONK ANYWAY BECAUSE IT'S AT THEIR DISCRETION. THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE RISKY FOR US TO PUT OUR DOLLARS BEHIND ESTABLISHING QUIET ZONES THAN IF WE WERE TO GET FEDERAL OR STATE DOLLARS TO ASSIST IN THAT. I WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN GRANTS FOR PUBLIC ART. I KNOW THAT WASN'T EXPLICITLY NAMED, BUT PUBLIC ART, PARKS, AND GREEN SPACES, PUBLIC TRANSIT. ESPECIALLY ANY EFFORTS THAT CAN GET US CLOSER TO RAIL AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. METRO HEALTH HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR MOST CRITICAL DEPARTMENTS AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THEIR EFFORTS A PRIORITY. SO AS MANY DOLLARS AS WE CAN GET FOR THEIR ALREADY-EXISTING PROGRAMS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THAN ANY PROGRAMS THAT MAYBE YOU HAVE HEARD COUNCIL [00:30:03] DISCUSS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE IF A GRANT BECOMES AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE US TO CERTAINLY GO AFTER THOSE. AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, OFTEN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS FOCUS ON STAFFING AND WEAPONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EFFORTS TO ATTAIN CRIME PREVENTION GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, HUMAN SERVICES, ART, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME. I THINK WE'RE PRETTY VAGUE WHEN WE SAY CRIME PREVENTION. AND WE'VE HEARD THAT PHRASE BE SORT OF CO-OPED. ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME IS THE IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THAT. OVERALL, THIS IS A GREAT START TO AGENDA. WE'LL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP MEETING AFTER TODAY'S ELECTION AND THOUGH OUR PRIORITIES ARE OUR PRIORITIES, AND THOSE WON'T CHANGE, WHO IS ELECTED TONIGHT WILL INFORM WHAT IS POSSIBLE OR AT LEAST REALISTIC. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES TODAY AND THIS AGAIN WILL BE EVER EVOLVING. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. YES. HAPPY ELECTION DAY. THANK YOU, SALLY FOR THE PRESENTATION. I AM ALSO IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PRIORITIES OUTLINED. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DID THERE. YOU KNOW, I THINK REGARDLESS OF TODAY'S RESULTS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW MY PRIORITIES REMAIN THE SAME AND JUST HAD A FEW OTHER THINGS TO ADD. ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY FRONT, WE STILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT CLUSTER MAILBOX THEFT AND I FEEL THAT WE HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. BUT I FEEL THAT THE BULK OF THE SOLUTION LIES WITH USPS. AND SOME OF OUR OLDER HOAS ARE REALLY SUFFERING WITH THIS. WHETHER IT'S MONEY OR CHECKS OR PRESCRIPTIONS OR CARDS FROM THEIR KIDS. LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOUR MAIL IS TAKEN, IT IS -- IT CAUSES DISTURBANCE IN THEIR LIFE. WE JUST NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO FIX THAT. FROM WHAT ME AND MY TEAM SEE IS THAT IF USPS CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAILBOXES AGAIN, THAT WILL HELP MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. WE HATE HAVING TO SAY, SORRY, IT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS. THESE ARE OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES. SO HOWEVER WE CAN PUSH ON THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. I DEFINITELY THINK THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUSH HARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED. OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE SEEING THE HORRIFIC VIDEOS ALL AROUND AND HORRIFIC STORIES OF ICE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IT'S GONE TOO FAR. I THINK WE NEED TO PUSH BACK IN THE WAYS THAT WE CAN. ON SLIDE 8, INFRASTRUCTURE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING NEED. OBVIOUSLY, ANY FUNDING THAT WE CAN SECURE TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE SHOULD BE GOING AFTER. I FEEL THAT REMOVING FOLKS OUT OF A FLOODPLAIN SHOULD BE A PRIORITY. AND ALSO, ANY WAYS WE CAN MITIGATE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT OR LEVERAGE OUR SOLAR OR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES I THINK IS IMPORTANT. WE KNOW THAT THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IMPACTS THE WEST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. I'M SURE THE SOUTH AND EAST SIDES TOO. WE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO REVERSE THAT DAMAGE THERE. AND THEN ON SLIDE 9, YOU KNOW, ANY SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDCARE ECOSYSTEM IN SAN ANTONIO IS NEEDED. WE'VE HEARD FROM CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO CREATE AFFORDABILITY. PRE-K 4 SA HELPS BUT WE STILL NEED A LOT MORE. YOU KNOW, I DO THINK -- AND WE KNOW IF WE WANT TO UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITY ECONOMICALLY, WE HAVE TO ENSURE FOLKS CAN AFFORD TO RAISE A FAMILY. BUT I KNOW WE'LL BE IN CLOSE CONVERSATION. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS, CHAIR. THANKS. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SALLY FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR THE WORK THAT EVERYONE DID TO GET HERE. I KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST STEP AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM COLLEAGUES AND GET THAT FINAL LIST OF PRIORITIES THAT WE'LL TAKE ON. I AM GLAD TO SEE THE NEW VA HOSPITAL IS INCLUDED IN HERE, LOCATED IN DISTRICT 8. ONE OF OUR BOND PROJECTS IS CLOSE TO THAT POTENTIAL SITE [00:35:08] SO THAT IS -- I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT IN HERE AND I KNOW THAT OUR FEDERAL RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. AND SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PRIORITY FOR US TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE VETERANS AND MILITARY FOLKS THAT USE THAT HOSPITAL. I MEAN, I THINK IT'S BEEN UP SINCE THE EARLY '70S -- YEAH, '73. WE TOOK A TOUR A FEW MONTHS BACK AND DEFINITELY COULD USE SOME LOVE THERE. I KNOW LAST WEEK WE SUPPORTED PUTTING SOME BOND DOLLARS TOWARDS THE DIVERSION CENTER. COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO HAS HAD A NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THAT TOPIC. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY FEDERAL GRANTS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S US. IS THAT CITY-COUNTY, LOOKING AT THOSE GRANTS TOGETHER. >> BASURTO: GREAT QUESTION. YOU WERE AT THE AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING LAST WEEK THAT YOU MENTIONED. MY TEAM HAS IDENTIFIED OVER 20 POSSIBLE GRANTS THAT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE EXISTENCE OF A DIVERSION CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO. THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE RELATED TO WRAPAROUND SERVICES. INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS ARE PROBABLY NOT WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TAP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR. BUT ALL THE SURROUNDING SUPPORT SERVICES RELATED TO SUPPORTING A DIVERSION CENTER WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD CERTAINLY ENGAGE IN IN COORDINATION WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND WITH BEXAR COUNTY. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON WHERE PLANS STAND WITH THE VA HOSPITAL? YOU CAN SEND IT BY MEMO. >> BASURTO: I WILL JUST ADD THERE'S A $30 MILLION APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDATION IN THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL. SO WE CAN REPORT BACK AS SOON AS THAT MOVES ANY FURTHER. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF STEPS THAT WERE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS THAT HAVE ALSO ADVANCED THE PROGRAM. THE $30 MILLION IS FOR LAND ACQUISITION, COUNCILWOMAN. >> COYLE: I'LL ADD, COUNCILWOMAN, THAT SCOTT JACKSON FROM OUR MILITARY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, HAD HAD THE VA PRESENT TO THE JOINT MILITARY TASK FORCE, THE MOLD MTTF. WE'LL GET HIS LATEST UPDATE IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING ON THEIR SIDE WITH DESIGN AND PLANNING AND SO FORTH, IN PARALLEL TO THE APPROPRIATIONS. >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU. AND ALSO JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE TO SUPPORT REALLY EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED, WHETHER IT'S HOUSING, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT REALLY MOVE A CITY FORWARD, IN MY OPINION. SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSAL IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I ALSO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING OUR ICE DETENTION CENTERS. IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THOSE, I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT. WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN ON OUR END BUT IT'S UP TO HIGHER POWERS. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS. >> SPEARS: THANKS, CHAIR. THANKS, SALLY. THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION. I LIKE THE PILLARS THAT YOU'RE FOCUSING ON. I'M GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY AREAS. THE UASI GRANTS AND WHAT WE CAN DO WITH CYBERSECURITY TOO THERE. AS FAR AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF CROSSOVER BILLS IN THAT AREA AND I'M GLAD THAT COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ SITS ON THE NLC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. I WANTED TO ADD IN THERE -- YOU MENTIONED THE HHS IS GOING TO START ADDING IN THE VETERANS PIECE IN WITH THEM AS WELL, RIGHT? OKAY. THAT'S GOOD. AND THEN I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE ANYTHING WE CAN PURSUE WITH REGARD TO THE NUCLEAR ENERGY UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT'S COMING OUR WAY. I THINK SOME MONEY JUST BECAME AVAILABLE, MAYBE LAST WEEK. SOME AWARDS WERE DONE FOR ONE OF OUR PARTNERS IN THAT THAT'S COMING HERE ALREADY. SO IF WE CAN PURSUE THINGS THAT ENCOURAGE THAT RELATIONSHIP FURTHER. AND THEN THE DATA CENTERS, OF COURSE, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT. [00:40:01] CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MILITARY PROTECTION SLIDE AND PILLAR. THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON, BEING ON THE JNTF, THERE'S A LOT OF POSITIVE, GOOD ACTIVITY . SO THE MORE WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO MEDICAL. THERE'S SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR US IN THAT SPACE AND THERE'S A GREAT DESIRE BY ALL BRANCHES TO MOVE MORE AND MORE HERE. I REALLY AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT SUPPORT THERE AND FOR THE VA MEDICAL CENTER AND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO END UP LOOKING LIKE. I BELIEVE THE COUNTY IS GOING AFTER A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE DEAAG GRANT FOR THEIR PORTION, SO THAT SHOULD BE COMING OUT SOON TOO. SUPPORTIVE OF EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING AT THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE. INTERESTED TO TALK MORE ABOUT THOSE QUIET ZONES, CHAIR. I PROBABLY WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT, BUT THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING TO ME. FOCUSING ON FLOOD MITIGATION AND DISASTER RESILIENCY IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT TOO. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, TYING IN THE WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY EVEN ON THE MILITARY SIDE OF THINGS. THAT'S ALSO STILL VERY IMPORTANT. SOMETHING THAT KEEPS COMING UP IN OUR CONVERSATIONS IS THAT. AND OF COURSE IT'S JUST A GREAT THING ANYWAYS FOR OUR ENTIRE CITY. I MEAN, IT FEEDS ALL OF IT, RIGHT? I THINK THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S IT. BUT OTHERWISE, I KNOW IT'S PRETTY BROAD RIGHT NOW AND WE'LL NARROW IT DOWN AS WE -- AFTER TODAY WE'LL KNOW A LOT MORE. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON IT. APPRECIATE IT. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS, OR PERFORMANCES BY MY COLLEAGUES? IT'S TUESDAY. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION. BETWEEN NOW AND OUR NEXT MEETING I WILL REQUEST THAT YOU REACH OUT TO ALL TEN COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR FOR THEIR FEEDBACK . IF YOU COULD, PRIOR TO THE MEETING, COMPILE A REPORT OF THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED, TO INCLUDE AREAS THAT WE MAY CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS. EVEN IF ONLY ONE COUNCIL MEMBER MENTIONS SOMETHING, IF IT'S SOMETHING MAYBE ALL OF US HAVE THOUGHT OF, IF THAT COULD BE INCLUDED, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL JUST TO FURTHER ADVISE THE DIRECTION OF THE AGENDA. >> >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU SO MUCH. EASY PEASY. THE TIME IS NOW 10:53 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU, ALL. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.