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WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 29, 2018.
>> MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING.
WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO OUR CITY COUNCIL A SESSION AGENDA.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAYED START.
THE FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS INVOCATION FROM A GUEST OF COUNCILMAN SHAW.
I HAVE TWO INTRODUCTIONS HERE.
ONE TWO-PAGES LONG AND ONE-HALF A PAGE.
BUT I WILL GO WITH THE CONDENSED HALF A PAGE.
PASTOR MICHAEL STEVE BROWN IN HIS 20TH YEAR AS A SENIOR PASTOR AT TVC.
PASTOR BROWN'S MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO COMMUNICATE GOD'S WORD, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO THE CHURCH AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, MINISTER TO SPIRITUAL NEEDS.
PASTOR BROWN PREACHES THREE WORSHIP SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY AND TEACHES TWO BIBLE STUDIES WEEKLY.
SHARES ONCE MONTH AT THE WORSHIP SERVICE AND HOSTS A POPULAR FACEBOOK LIVE WORD AND PRAYER EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 6:00 A.M.
HE IS A MUCH SOUGHT AFTER GUEST, PREACHER, AND HOST WITH HE SERVED FOR FIVE YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST MINISTER'S UNION OF SAN ANTONIO AND SERVES AS THE AUDIO].
HE HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF SAN ANTONIO'S UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND FAITH INITIATIVES.
HE PUT SHOES ON THE FEET OF 5,000 CHILDREN IN OVER 80 COUNTRIES AND HAS AUDIO].
PASTOR BROWN IS A 1994 GRADUATE OF THE COLLEGE OF NASHVILLE TENNESSEE.
HE RECEIVED BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND IS LISTED AS WHOSE WHO ON THE AMERICAN COLLEGES FOR UNIVERSITY.
A NATIVE OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, HE IS MARRIED TO JOY CYRUS OF WEST VIRGINIA AND IS THE PROUD FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING PASTOR BROWN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR NIRENBERG, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
LORD, WE WANT TO SAY FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL WHO ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY FOR YOUR MANY ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
THANK YOU FOR LIFE ITSELF, MEASURE OF HEALTH, EVEN THAT WHICH WE NEED TO FULFILL OUR CALLINGS FOR SUSTENANCE AND FRIENDSHIP.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN GOOD AND USEFUL WORK AND FOR THE HONOR OF BEARING APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITIES.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THESE 300 YEARS OF YOUR GRACE AND MERCY UPON US.
WE REMEMBER IN SCRIPTURE YOU HAVE SAID THAT CITIZENS OUGHT TO HONOR THE GOVERNMENT, THE AUTHORITIES.
SINCE YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THOSE VERY AUTHORITIES TO PROMOTE PEACE AND ORDER AND JUSTICE, THEREFORE I PRAY, LORD, FOR OUR MAYOR.
I PRAY FOR VARIOUS LEVELS OF CITY OFFICIALS.
IN PARTICULAR, THIS COUNCIL TODAY I AM ASKING THAT YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM, A CITIZEN OF WELFARE, AND A TRUE SENSE OF THE NEEDS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WHAT IS FITTING AND RIGHT.
LORD, GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY AND EVEN, LORD, WHEN THERE IS DISAGREEMENT, LORD, FIND A WAY TO BRING US TOGETHER FOR PEACE.
I PRAY FOR THE AGENDA SET BEFORE
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US TODAY.PLEASE GIVE, LORD, AN ASSURANCE OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE AND WHAT IS YOUR WILL.
I PRAY ALWAYS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, OUR CHRIST, AMEN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, PASTOR BROWN.
WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
FIRST ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH 15.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 14 AND 15.
>> ITEM NO. 4 IS THE SWEARING IN OF COUNCIL MEMBER SHIRLEY GONZALES TO BE SWORN IN TODAY AS MAYOR PRO TEM TO SERVE THE TERM FROM APRIL 1, 2018 TO JUNE 10, 2018.
SHIRLEY, WOULD YOU JOIN ME AT THE PODIUM, PLEASE? GOOD MORNING.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> GONZALES: I, SHIRLEY GONZALES DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE, SO HELP ME GOD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
AND THIS IS A RECOGNITION FROM OUR COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN SALDANA, BY VIA.
>> SALDANA: I'LL GO AHEAD AND PASS IT OVER TO JEFF.
ON FEBRUARY 17, IT DAWNED LIKE ANY OTHER DAY IN THE DAY OF THE VIA BUS VAN AND MAINTENANCE RODEO.
THIS IS A PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND THE FIRST PLACE WINNERS GO ON TO REPRESENT VIA AT THE INTERNATIONAL IN TAMPA IN MAY.
THE FIRST AND SECOND PLACE WINNERS REPRESENTED US JUST LAST WEEKEND IN THE STATE RODEO WHERE OUR VAN OPERATOR TOOK FIRST PLACE IN THE STATE.
AND OUR MAINTENANCE TEAM TOOK FIRST PLACE, PARTICULARLY PLEASING FOR ME WHEN WE BEAT HOUSTON METRO.
THE OTHER ELEMENT OF THE RODEO IS THE VIP COMPETITION.
THIS YEAR WE HAD FOUR PEOPLE SIGNED UP, INCLUDING COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
THE COMPETITION WAS TO BE AT 11:00 AND COUNCILMAN SALDANA WAS RUNNING LATE.
HE CALLED AND SAID I WILL BE THERE BUT I PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I'M RUNNING LATE.
HE ARRIVED ABOUT 40 MINUTES AT 11:00, THE APPOINTED HOUR, BUT WE WERE RUNNING LATE.
HE SAID IF I CAN GET OUT THERE ON THAT BUS RIGHT NOW AND DO MY RUN, I GOT TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT I'M HAPPY TO DRIVE.
WE SWITCHED THE ORDER A LITTLE BIT.
AS HE IS RUNNING TO THE BUS, SOMEBODY SAID DID YOU GET A PRACTICE RUN? HE SAID, DON'T WORRY.
AND SO I AM THRILLED TO BE HERE TODAY TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCILMAN HIS OFFICIAL PLAQUE FOR HIS FIRST PLACE VICTORY.
IT'S A HALF-CENT PLAQUE BUT, HEY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SO DOES REY GO TO NATIONALS.
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>> SALDANA: I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN MY APPLICATION TO BE A BUS OPERATOR AT VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT.
>> WE DO HAVE A SHORT VIDEO FROM THAT DAY THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
>> WELCOME TO THE 2018 BUS, VAN, AND MAINTENANCE RODEO FOR VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT.
THIS IS OUR ANNUAL BUS RODEO, AND SO IT'S A CHANCE FOR THE VIA FAMILY TO ALL COME TOGETHER AND REALLY RECOGNIZE THE GREAT SKILLED EMPLOYEES WE HAVE ON BUS SIDE, ON THE VAN SIDE, AND ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE.
>> WE WANTED IT TO BE A FAMILY DAY SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES GOING ON.
WE HAVE FACE PAINTING, ZUMBA BACK THERE.
WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY RIDE IN A SHRUNKEN PRIMO AND WE HAVE A SMALL TRAIN THAT WILL TAKE MOSTLY KIDS.
>> THIS IS ACTUALLY A NATIONAL EVENT, SO THE CHAMPION BUS DRIVER AND THE CHAMPION MAINTENANCE TEAM WILL GO TO NATIONALS.
>> ON BEHALF OF VIA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL THE COMPETITORS FOR COMING OUT HERE.
EVERYBODY IS A WINNER TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE TODAY.
>> THE FIRST-TIME CHAMPION, MARCUS WHITE!
>> SO, COUNCILMAN, WHEN WE TOLD BUSTER WE WOULD BE HERE BUSTER ASKED IF HE COULD JOIN US.
HE HAS A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU AS WELL.
AND THE COUNCILMAN GOT THE PLAQUE BUT YOU ALL GET A T-SHIRT.
HE DID BRING A JOB APPLICATION FOR A VIA BUS OPERATOR.
WE KNOW NEXT YEAR SOMETIME YOU'LL BE FREED UP.
>> SALDANA: I'M GOING TO NEED ONE IN JUNE OF 2019.
>> WE WANT TO OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THOSE DRIVING SKILLS TO THE REAL TEST.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
>> SALDANA: YEAH, JUST TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.
SO EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE THIS AND I ALWAYS JUMP ON THE INVITATION BECAUSE I ALWAYS THINK THE IDEA AND THE CONCEPT OF GETTING TO DRIVE A BUS SOUNDS LIKE A WHOLE LOT OF FUN.
BUT I CHALLENGE THE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR IN VIA'S RODEO THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SHOULD, AT THE VERY LEAST, ALL BE COMPETING.
IT'S OVER AT WOLFF STADIUM AND THERE'S PLENTY OF CONES FOR ALL
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THE CONES YOU'RE GOING TO RUN OVER, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.WE'LL REPLACE THEM AND PUT MANNY PELAEZ IN AFTERWARDS.
IT'S FUN AND I HOPE YOU MAKE IT OUT TO THE VIA RODEO NEXT YEAR SO I WON'T BE ALONE IN REPRESENTING THE CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
YOU ARE ALWAYS MAKING US PROUD.
WE ARE GOING TO NOW -- I'LL ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS FOR WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE AGENDA.
FOR OUR AUDIENCE NOTE THAT ITEM NO. 5 HAS BEEN PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AND WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED.
ITEM NO. 27 HAS BEEN PULLED AS WELL.
ANY OTHERS? WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEM 15 AND ITEM 20.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE DO HAVE SOME CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK FOR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. COUNCILMAN TREVINO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FEW COMMENTS ON AN ITEM AS WELL.
WE'LL TAKE THE CITIZENS FIRST AND I'LL TOSS IT TO MY COLLEAGUE.
I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN PULLED ALREADY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SUSAN, IT'S BEEN PULLED.
IF YOU WANT TO WAIT MOMENTARILY, WE'LL CALL YOU UP WHEN THE ITEM IS BEING HEARD.
>> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
FIRST OF ALL, LET'S MENTION, MRE DELAY STARTING OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HAS TO BE A RECORD IN ALL THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE, SIR.
ACTUALLY I WOULDN'T MIND Y'ALL DELAYING IT INDEFINITELY.
I LOSE MONEY COMING OVER HERE, EVERYBODY.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE OUR WALLETS BE SAFE FOR ANOTHER WEEK.
ONE ITEM I DO WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS ITEM NO. 18.
18 IS ORDINANCE APPROVING THE FOLLOWING.
SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF AWARD, A GRANT FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION FOR VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2 MILLION AND CHANGE FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
I LOOKED AT THAT, THE BACK UP DOCUMENTS ON THAT, AND I HAPPENED TO NOTICE SOME THINGS HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY GOVERNMENT, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, IS BECOMING NO SECRET THAT THE CITY METROPOLITAN HEALTH DISTRICT DOES PROMOTE PROMISCUITY AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, OUR TEENAGERS.
I MEAN, THEY CAN GO TO ANY CITY-RUN HEALTH CLINIC AND GET BIRTH CONTROL DEVICES ANY TIME THEY WANT TO.
USUALLY OUR UNDERSTANDING WITHOUT PARENTAL APPROVAL OR EVEN PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.
AND SO IT REALLY DIDN'T COME AS ANY SURPRISE WHEN I SAW THIS.
YOU KNOW, THE IDEA OF GETTING A GRANT FOR VACCINES.
VACCINES FOR VARIOUS CHILDHOOD DISEASES.
BUT AMONG THE DISEASES -- I LOOKED AT THIS.
MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT UNDERLINED AREA.
BLOW THAT UP A BIT IF YOU WOULD.
THERE'S THE BACK UP DOCUMENT THAT SAYS DISEASES SUCH AS MEASLES, RUBELLA, MUMPS, TETANUS, POLIO, INFLUENZA, PNEUMONIA, HEPATITIS A AND B, ROTO VIRUS AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS.
AND IT SAYS CHILDREN 0 TO 18 YEARS OF AGE.
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HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VIRUS, MR. AND MRS. CITY COUNCIL PERSON.THAT IS SPREAD BY SEXUAL CONTACT BY ADULT HUMANS.
DO YOU REALIZE HOW WE ARE MAKING IT EASY FOR OUR SEXUAL PREDATORS, GIVING THEM A CRUTCH? IF WE GIVE VACCINES TO KIDS FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VIRUS.
GOVERNOR PERRY GOT IN TROUBLE FOR THAT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
I LEFT ITEM NO. 22 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
BUT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE TWO-YEAR PLUS EFFORT TO SET UP A PARKING PROGRAM IN KING WILLIAM IN LAVACA.
I WANT TO THANK JOHN JACKS AND JIM MARY FOR ALL THEIR WORK TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
MOST IMPORTANTLY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LAVACA RESIDENTS WHO ADVOCATED FOR AND WORKED TOWARDS GATHERING THE NECESSARY COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
AMONG THEM ARE PAST LAVACA PRESIDENT, THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.
BILLY LAWRENCE, JOSH, CURTIS, NATALIE, JODY, JOE, OLIVIA, AND LORETTA.
THIS IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO BE A GREAT PILOT PROGRAM AND I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE DURING THIS PILOT PROGRAM WE WILL NOT BE CHARGING FOR THE PERMIT FEES AS REQUESTED BY THE RESIDENTS IN THE PROGRAM.
WE'RE GOING TO LEARN AS WE GO AND IT'S GOING TO BE A 14-MONTH PROGRAM ADJUSTING TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
AN ITEM ON CONSENT IS WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS HAPPENING WITH THE MISSION DRIVE-IN MARQUEE.
I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE THIS PAST WEEK WE CELEBRATED 70 YEARS AT THE MISSION DRIVE-IN THEATER JUST THIS WEEK.
THIS IS A CONTINUED INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING IN THIS DRIVE-IN THEATER TO CONTINUE THAT WORK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ITEM NO. 15 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LEASE WITH BGSCR RIVER WALK, LLC DOING BUSINESS AS BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP FOR 787 SQUARE FEET OF RIVER WALK PATIO SPACE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
DO YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION? COULD YOU PLEASE GO THROUGH THAT? THANK YOU.
THIS IS REQUESTING APPROVAL OF A RIVER WALK PATIO LEASE AGREEMENT WITH BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP COMPANY.
IT IS 787 SQUARE FEET OF RIVER WALK PATIO SPACE.
THE TERMS ARE THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2003.
BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP COMPANY HAS EXECUTED A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE NIX HOSPITAL.
THE RESTAURANT LOCATION IS IN THE BASEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL.
FROM THE CITY THEY ARE SEEKING TO LEASE 787 SQUARE FEET OF THE CITY-OWNED RIVER WALK PATIO SPACE SO THEY CAN EXTEND THAT SERVICE OUTDOORS.
THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT INCLUDES A FIVE-YEAR TERM WITH ONE FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL OPTION, SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.
THIS IS A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE LEASE RATES.
THIS IS A MARKET RATE LEASE, WHICH IS STANDARD PRACTICE ON THE RIVER WALK FOR OUR PATIOS.
YOU CAN SEE IT HAS AN INCREASE THROUGH THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.
A LOT OF YOU ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS SPACE.
THIS IS THE LOCATION WHERE BUBBA GUMP WOULD BE, AND THIS IS THE PREVIOUS LOCATION OF DICK'S LAST RESORT.
AGAIN, IT'S THE BASEMENT OF THE NIX HOSPITAL.
AND STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS LEASE WITH BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP COMPANY.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE PULLED THIS AND WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION.
LORI AND SHERYL, I WAS TALKING TO THEM ABOUT THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE HEARD WITH OUR S.A. TOMORROW PLANNING, AND I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH WITH LOCAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES IS THE WORD AUTHENTICITY AND LOCAL FLAIR FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
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AND SITTING ON THE VISIT SAN ANTONIO BOARD AS WELL, KNOWING PEOPLE COME TO THE CITY AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY EXPERIENCE A LOCAL FLAIR TO OUR CITY.AND THE RIVER IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE EVERYBODY COMES.
SO WITH THAT, I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THAT NIX IS THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THEY OWN ALL OF THAT AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH THEIR LESSEE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OR COMMITTEE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE -- HOW DO WE UTILIZE OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, HOW DO WE COORDINATE WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS AROUND THE RIVER WALK AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING, OUR AUTHENTIC NATURE THAT WE'RE DOING WITH SAN ANTONIO AND REALLY COORDINATING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS WORKING AND WHAT CAN.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP.
THE CENTER CITY DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE COORDINATING A GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AND SEE HOW OTHER CITIES ARE LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE AND WE WILL COORDINATE THAT WITH THE PLAN CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
WE'LL COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE OVERLAY DISTRICTS OR OTHER INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE ESTABLISHMENTS IN OUR DOWNTOWN RIVER WALK.
>> VIAGRAN: I KNOW IN THE PAST MAYOR HARDBERGER TRIED TO LOOK AT THAT BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN PEOPLE COME, ESPECIALLY TO OUR RIVER, IF WE HAVE IT ON THE STREET LEVEL WITH DIFFERENT LOCAL BUSINESSES OR RESTAURANTS, LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO WORK TOGETHER.
NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE ANYTHING FROM ANYONE BUT WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER TO SEE HOW CAN WE BEST LEVERAGE THIS.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND ALL OF THE WORK THAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 15.
WE DO HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH TO ASK QUESTIONS, STARTING WITH COUNCILMAN SHAW.
I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUE'S SENTIMENTS REGARDING DIVERSITY IN OUR RIVER.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT OR POTENTIAL LESSEE WILL BRING GREAT DIVERSITY TO THE RIVER.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW CAN WE BRING IN THOSE BIG BUSINESSES AS WELL AS THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR SAN ANTONIO FOR LOCALS TO GO DOWN TO THE RIVER AND ENJOY SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS MOTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND SO, LORI, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE THE PROPER ONE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION BUT HOW MIGHT WE TIE INTO THE IDEA THAT WE'RE A CITY OF GASTRONOMY INTO THESE LEASES? I KNOW I WAS IN TUCSON A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY ARE ALSO A CITY OF GASTRONOMY.
WHILE I COULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING THAT TALKED ABOUT IT, ONE THING FOR SURE IS THAT EVERY RESTAURANT I WENT TO THE FOOD WAS REALLY DELICIOUS.
AND SO YOU COULD TELL THAT THERE WAS A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE IN EVERYTHING FROM THE SANDWICHES TO -- I DIDN'T GO TO TOO MANY FINE RESTAURANTS, BUT THE FOOD WAS GOOD EVERYWHERE.
SO HOW CAN WE USE THAT AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THAT WE'RE A CITY OF GASTRONOMY?
>> I THINK THAT'S AN EXCELLENT POINT AND WE DEFINITELY WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
WE LOOK AT OUR BEST PRACTICES AND COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> PERRY: YES, THANK YOU, SIR.
ON THE LEASE ITSELF FOR THE SPACE, YOU SAID THAT'S MARKET RATE.
HOW DO WE DETERMINE THE MARKET RATE FOR THAT AREA?
>> COUNCILMAN, BECAUSE WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR TERMS FOR ALL OF THESE LEASES, EVERY FIVE YEARS WE DO A MARKET STUDY TO DETERMINE RATES AROUND SAN ANTONIO AND ALSO ON THE RIVER.
AND SO WE DO A COMPARISON TO SEE WHAT'S AN APPROPRIATE RATE FOR THOSE LEASES.
AND THOSE RATES ARE VERY SPECIFIC TO THE LOCATION ON THE RIVER.
SO WE DON'T HAVE JUST A STANDARD RATE FOR THE WHOLE RIVER.
IT ACTUALLY DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE ON THE RIVER.
SO, SAY, IN THIS LOCATION IT'S KIND OF ON THE END OF THE HORSESHOE A LITTLE BIT, SO THAT RATE WILL BE A TAD BIT LESS THAN A RATE THAT'S RIGHT THERE BY THE HYATT, BY THE ALAMO.
EVERY SITE IS LOOKED AT INDIVIDUALLY TO DETERMINE WHAT'S THE APPROPRIATE MARKET RATE FOR THAT AREA.
>> PERRY: AND HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE MARKET RATE? SINCE THAT'S INDIVIDUALLY BASED ON THE LOCATION ON THE RIVER?
WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE RATES
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THAT ARE THE INTERIOR LEASE RATES FOR THOSE SPACES.WE WILL ACTUALLY GO OUT AND CONTACT INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS TO DETERMINE IF WE WERE GOING TO LEASE THAT PROPERTY WHAT WOULD IT COST US.
AND WE DO THE SAME THING FOR NOT JUST ON THE RIVER WALK, WE ALSO DO IT ON OTHER PROPERTIES WE LEASE.
SO THERE'S A LARGE AUDIO] DOING THIS TO DETERMINING WHAT OUR MARKET RATE LEASE IS.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE WE CAN ANALYZE TO SET THOSE RATES.
WITH THE RIVER WALK IN THIS CASE, OR WHEREVER WE ARE LEASING PROPERTY.
>> PERRY: SO THAT ACTUALLY WOULD GIVE US SOME FLEXIBILITY AS FAR AS FUTURE LEASES TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS OR ANYTHING THAT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE IN THAT AREA, THAT'S ONE PORTION THAT WE COULD KIND OF PLAY WITH.
KEEPING IN MIND THAT IT'S ALSO A COMPETITIVE MARKET SO WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS.
IN THIS CASE, EVEN THE INTERIOR OF THE SPACE IS PRIVATELY OWNED SO OUR RATE HAS TO BE KIND OF EITHER COMPLEMENTARY OR RESPECTFUL OF WHAT THAT RATE IS IN THE INTERIOR.
SO IT'S KIND OF A DELICATE NEGOTIATION, A LOT OF TIMES.
EVERY ONE OF THESE LEASES IS NEGOTIATED, SO THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF FLUCTUATE OR MAKE RANGES.
WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT OUR LEASE RATES AND LOOK TO SEE HOW WE CAN INCENT MORE AUTHENTIC OR OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES TO COME TO THE RIVER.
>> PERRY: THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING AT.
THAT'S ONE AVENUE THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCILWOMAN'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND THAT KIND OF THING.
TO ME, THAT'S REALLY OUR ONLY LEVERAGE.
OTHERWISE YOU'RE DEALING WITH COMMERCIAL ENTITIES THAT ANYBODY, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO MOVE IN THEY CAN MOVE IN.
I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN REALLY GET INVOLVED IN I THAT AS FAR AS TRYING TO GET OTHER LOCAL RESTAURANTS IN THERE.
BUT THAT IS ONE AREA THAT WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 15.
>> ITEM NO. 20 IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE CITY CODE SOLID WASTE TO IMPLEMENT A NEW CITYWIDE FEE FOR DIAPER CONTAMINATION IN THE CITY RECYCLING AND ORGANICS CONTAINERS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
AND, DAVID, I DON'T REALLY EXPECT THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AT THIS TIME.
YOU HAVE MADE THE PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL BEFORE.
I JUST WANTED TO BRING THIS TO THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION BECAUSE OF MY CONCERNS OF WHO THIS FEE IS GOING TO IMPACT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A $50 FEE FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.
AND, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE IMPACT ON YOUNG FAMILIES, THE ELDERLY, AND THE INFIRM.
THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR POPULATION WHO, YOU KNOW, RELY ON DIAPERS AS A HYGIENE ELEMENT IN THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY.
I HAVE CONCERNS, SINCE THIS FEE WILL BE ADDED TO THE CPS BILL FOR COLLECTION.
YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE FAMILIES ARE ALREADY HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PAYING THEIR UTILITY BILLS.
IF A UTILITY BILL FOR MANY OF THESE FAMILIES IS $100 OR $110 OR $90, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING A 50% CHARGE ON THAT UTILITY BILL FOR THAT PARTICULAR MONTH THAT THEY ARE BEING BILLED FOR THIS.
THAT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THEM PAYING THEIR BILL OR NOT PAYING THEIR BILL, FALLING INTO A POSITION OF DEFAULT.
THEY COULD HAVE THEIR UTILITIES DISCONNECTED.
AND I THINK THAT THAT OCCURRENCE, WHETHER IT HAPPENED TO A DOZEN FAMILIES OR 100 FAMILIES IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE SHOULD FIND ALTERNATIVE METHODS SO THAT IT SIMPLY DOESN'T OCCUR.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH DAVID ABOUT THIS.
I RECOGNIZE THE SINCERITY OF THE PROBLEM.
I BELIEVE HE SAYS IT COSTS THE CITY ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TO RECTIFY THAT SITUATION.
BUT PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE WORDING OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS SERVICE.
WHEREAS OTHER CITIES WHO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE IN THEIR CONTRACT THAT DOESN'T PENALIZE THEM TO THE EXTENT THAT SAN ANTONIO IS PENALIZED.
HE SAID WE'RE GOING TO REACH OUT AND TRY AND WORK ON THAT IN THE FUTURE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK
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IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT IS THAT DIRTY DIAPERS ARE BEING PLACED IN THE RECYCLING CART.AND AS A PART OF THAT IT COMPROMISES OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR COMMODITIES ON THE OTHER MARKET.
SO THERE IS A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE POINTED OUT AND THAT WAS POINTED OUT TO US IN OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EQUITY COMMITTEE.
COUNCILMAN SHAW RAISED THE SAME CONCERNS ABOUT THE ABILITY FOR SOMEONE TO PAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ADDED AND SHARED WITH EVERYONE IS THAT THE IDEA IS FOR ALL OF US TO GET WARNINGS IF WE DO SOMETHING WRONG, REGARDLESS IF IT'S CONTAMINATION OF SMALLER ITEMS OR LARGER ITEMS. ALTHOUGH WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THIS CONTAMINATION FOR DIAPERS ONLY, THESE DIAPERS ARE BEING PLACED IN THE BLUE AND SOMETIMES GREEN CARTS WHEN THEY SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE BROWN CARTS.
SO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS ALWAYS GET A WARNING.
THE BEAUTY OF THAT WARNING IS THE FACT THAT WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE $25 FEE FOR ALL OTHER CONTAMINANTS BACK IN JUNE OF 2016, WE IMMEDIATELY SAW A REDUCTION.
IN FACT, ALL THE WARNINGS THAT WE HAVE ISSUED OUT TO DATE IS ABOUT OVER 50,000.
YOU KNOW THAT 97% OF THOSE WARNINGS NEVER TURNED INTO FINES.
PEOPLE TOOK THE EDUCATION VERY WELL.
THEY MADE THE ADJUSTMENT AND THEY MOVED ON.
LESS THAN 3% ACTUALLY TURNED INTO A FEE.
AND KEEP IN MIND THE FEE WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO SEND STAFF OUT THERE TO EMPTY THAT BLUE CART AND WE SENT PART OF OUR TEAM TO MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THEM.
SO THE SAME THING APPLIES FOR THE DIAPER FEE.
THERE WILL BE A WARNING THE FIRST TIME.
THE SECOND TIME IS WHERE THE FEE WILL BE SENT.
KEEP IN MIND THAT WE TAKE PICTURES OF THE CART.
WE TAKE PICTURES OF THE CONTENTS AND THEIR ADDRESS.
THAT RESIDENT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL US.
SO LET'S IMAGINE THAT BY CHANCE WE HAVE TWO RESIDENTS.
WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS WE THOUGHT ABOUT SINCE COUNCILMAN SHAW BROUGHT IT UP WAS THAT WE HAVE KIND OF LIKE -- NOT LIKE YOUR DEFENSIVE DRIVING, BUT WE'RE WORKING TO NOT ONLY CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO POSSIBLY GO ONLINE TO ACTUALLY CLICK AND GO THROUGH SOME TYPE OF TUTORIAL.
WHILE WE WORK ON THAT, WHAT I SUGGESTED IS WE COULD HAVE ONE OF OUR TEAMMATES, ONE OF OUR INSPECTORS ACTUALLY COME OUT TO THEIR RESIDENCE AND WALK THEM THROUGH THAT.
SO IF THEY REQUEST IT THEN THEY'LL GET A THIRD SHOT AT IT.
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET ANY DOLLARS FROM THIS AT ALL.
AND WHAT WE SAW WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE CAUSAL EFFECT OF THE $25, WE IMMEDIATELY SAW THE DIAPER CONTAMINATION GO DOWN TO 54 POUNDS PER HOUR.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S GONE BACK UP TO 150 POUNDS PER HOUR.
BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT THE BENEFIT IS OVERALL CONTAMINATION HAS GONE FROM 28% CONTAMINATION RATE ONLY TO 18%.
THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE SELLING AND PUTTING OUT THERE MORE THAN 80% OF OUR COMMODITIES IN A FAVORABLE ADVANTAGE FOR OUR CITY.
AS YOUR DIRECTOR, I WANT OUR CITY TO BE KNOWN FOR ITS GREAT RECYCLABLES.
SO IF WE DO HAVE SOMEONE THAT BY CHANCE HAS THAT ISSUE, WE ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WORK WITH THEM.
WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT BABY DIAPERS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADULT DIAPERS AS WELL.
AND ALWAYS, AT THE SAME TIME, WE RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING A CHOICE.
SO WE WANT TO HELP THEM WITH THAT CHOICE.
WE WANT TO HELP THEM WITH THAT CHANGE AND GETTING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A REASON.
THAT $1 MILLION IMPACTS ALL RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO OUR THOUGHT IS STILL TO WORK WITH EACH OF THE RESIDENTS SO IF THEY BY CHANCE MADE THAT ADDITIONAL MISTAKE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.
AND THAT'S THE IDEA IS BECAUSE, KEEP IN MIND, EVEN FOR DIAPERS WE'RE STILL SENDING A DIFFERENT CREW OUT THERE TO CLEAN IT UP AND TO GET IT RIGHT.
BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE RECYCLE FACILITY ARE SEPARATING THESE HEALTH HAZARDS BY HAND.
THEY ARE NOT CITY EMPLOYEES BUT THEY ARE EMPLOYEES, PERIOD.
AND SO THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO GET STRAIGHT.
>> COURAGE: WELL, I PRESUME TO YOUR LAST POINT THAT THEY ARE PROTECTING THEMSELVES AND THE COMPANY ENSURES THE HEALTH AND
[00:40:02]
SAFETY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.>> THEY HAVE GLOVES BUT YOU'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT DIAPERS.
WHEN THEY MIX IT IN AFFECTS US ON THE OPEN MARKET.
WE ACTUALLY PAY AN ADDITIONAL $12.50 PER TON FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SEPARATE THEM.
THAT'S $1 MILLION THAT COULD BE GOING TOWARD OUR BOTTOM LINE THAT WOULD GO BACK TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEN WE CAN MAINTAIN STEADY RATES FOR THAT.
>> COURAGE: WELL, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GO BACK TO THAT FIGURE YOU WERE USING.
ABOUT 50,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE VIOLATING OUR PROCEDURES FOR THEIR RECYCLING AND THEIR TRASH.
THAT MEANS THERE ARE 1500 FAMILIES THAT DIDN'T GET THE MESSAGE HOWEVER WE WERE GIVING THAT MESSAGE.
AND I WOULD HATE TO THINK THAT THERE ARE 500 FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PENALIZED $50 IN THEIR NEXT UTILITY BILL.
WITHOUT US DOING MORE TO EDUCATE THEM.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT YOU KIND OF CHANGE THE ORDER IN WHICH YOU WERE JUST SAYING YOU WANTED TO DO THINGS.
GIVE THEM A WARNING ATTACHED TO THEIR CART THE FIRST TIME.
THE SECOND TIME DON'T START FINING THEM.
SEND SOMEONE OUT TO EDUCATE THEM THAT SECOND TIME.
AND THEN IF THERE'S A THIRD TIME GO AHEAD AND DO THE FINE.
I REALIZE THAT IT TAKES MORE MANPOWER AND MORE TIME.
HOWEVER, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER WAY OF EDUCATING PEOPLE AND SOLVING OUR PROBLEM THAN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE FINE THAT SECOND TIME.
AND THEN PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILL.
AND I DON'T CARE IF IT'S ONE FAMILY WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR BILL AND GETS THEIR ELECTRICITY TURNED OFF.
WE SHOULDN'T ENABLE THAT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF OUR ACTIONS WITHOUT TAKING FURTHER ACTION.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST YOU SWITCH THAT STEP PROCESS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, EVEN IF IT'S GOING TO COST US A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> WELL, COUNCILMAN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I JUST WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REMEMBER IS THAT THESE ACTIONS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE RESIDENT.
THERE IS OWNERSHIP THAT WE SHOULDN'T SIDESTEP THAT THE RESIDENT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO DO.
SO THAT IF WE'VE EDUCATED THEM THE FIRST TIME WE'LL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEM THE SECOND TIME.
WE DO DIFFERENT WAYS OF OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.
THE REASON I THINK THAT THAT SECOND TIME HAS TO BE SERIOUS ENOUGH SO THAT THEY'LL KNOW THAT THERE'S A $50 FEE ATTACHED TO DIRTY DIAPERS, CONSCIOUSLY DIRTY DIAPERS.
EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU SEE THEM ON THE STREETS AND IN PARKING LOTS.
BUT THERE'S A CONSCIOUS DECISION THAT WE HAVE TO STAND FIRM ON AT SOME POINT IN TIME WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, YES, IF THEY ASK US TO GIVE THEM ONE MORE SHOT.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE COMPLIANCE.
I JUST WANT TO GET THE MESSAGE I'M JUST WATCHING THOSE NUMBERS CREEP BACK UP WHEN THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY IS DOING THE OPPOSITE.
SO, YES, TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE 1500 SINCE THE PROGRAM'S BEEN IN PLACE.
NOT ALL THOSE 1500 ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE FEE ONLY BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE TAKE A PICTURE OF TWO CARTS SIDE BY SIDE, WE THINK IT'S ONE RESIDENT WHEN IT WAS THE OTHER RESIDENT.
SO WHEN IT DOUBT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE TIE GOES TO THE RUNNER.
WE STILL WANT TO GIVE OUR RESIDENTS THE WIN.
THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO GET THE WIN AND IF AT ANY TIME ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SOMEONR FROM THEM MORE TIMES THAN NONE BEFORE I WILL.
WE'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITIES AT A WHOLE.
BUT, YES, THEY WILL GET A THIRD SHOT, IN OTHER WORDS, WITH THIS EDUCATION PIECE THAT WE HAVE ADDED TO IT.
AND THEN IF THEY DO IT A THIRD TIME THEN, YES, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE OKAY WITH IF THEY GET THAT FEE AT THAT TIME.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO ASK THAT THEY ASK US FOR A WAIVER.
BECAUSE IF THEY AT LEAST ARE ASKING, THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE AND DO A BETTER JOB.
I STILL DON'T AGREE WITH YOUR LOGIC BUT I APPRECIATE HOUR YOU PRESENT YOUR ARGUMENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
SHERYL, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
>> SCULLEY: JUST TO THANK DAVID MCCARRIE.
HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR
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AT LEAST THREE YEARS.WE HAD TO RENEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT BECAUSE SAN ANTONIO HAD THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF DIRTY DIAPERS IN OUR RECYCLING CANS OF ANY CITY ACROSS THE NATION.
AND THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDED THOSE STATISTICS TO US.
AND WE USED OUR EQUITY ASSESSMENT AS WE EVALUATED THIS.
SO IT'S NOT JUST IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.
IN FACT, WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT THIS IS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY.
AND SO WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD.
AND I HAVE TO CREDIT DAVID BECAUSE HE AND HIS TEAM HAVE REALLY WORKED IN THE COMMUNITY ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF STRATEGIES AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
BUT WE DO -- IT'S A CHOICE PEOPLE MAKE.
THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE THROWING DIAPERS INTO THE RECYCLING CAN, AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO ACCOMPLISH THE COUNCIL-ADOPTED GOAL OF REACHING A RECYCLING RATE OF 60% BY THE YEAR 2025.
AND WE'RE APPROACHING THAT FROM ALL ANGLES AND ALSO MANAGING THE FINANCES OF THIS ENTERPRISE OPERATION OF THE CITY.
SO, AS MUCH AS WE DON'T WANT TO RECOMMEND THE FINE, THIS HAS COME AFTER TRYING NUMEROUS STRATEGIES AND CONTINUING OUR EDUCATION EFFORT.
SO THAT IS IN PART WHY DAVID IS RECOMMENDING THIS TODAY.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT ADDITIONAL CONTEXT, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
DAVID, I REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMING IN AND TALKING TO ME ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.
I THOUGHT I WAS THROUGH WITH DIAPERS AFTER THE KIDS LEFT, BUT HERE I AM DEALING WITH THEM AGAIN.
ONE THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WAS THE EDUCATION PORTION OF IT.
>> PERRY: I'M STILL CONCERNED THAT FOLKS WITHIN THE CITY REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS, HOW MUCH IT'S COSTING US, AND HOW DO THEY GET THAT INFORMATION, THAT EDUCATION.
YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT Y'ALL SEND OUT -- YOU PUT DOOR HANGERS TWICE A YEAR, SOMETHING LIKE THAT --
I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE INCORPORATED ON THAT DOOR HANGER LAYING OUT THE DOS AND DON'TS OF OUR PROGRAM HERE, OUR SOLID WASTE PROGRAM AND RECYCLING PROGRAM.
BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THE WORD ISN'T GETTING OUT THERE.
HERE'S WHAT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.
WHEN WE STARTED CHARGING THE $25 PER OCCURRENCE, YES, THE LINE WENT DOWN.
IT'S VERY OBVIOUS WHAT HAPPENED.
THE LINE STARTED GOING UP AGAIN.
SO IS THIS $50 GOING TO DO THE SAME THING? THE LINE IMMEDIATELY DIPS DOWN AND IT'S GOING TO CREEP BACK UP AGAIN? I SUSPECT IT PROBABLY WILL.
I MEAN, IF IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
SO I THINK THE EDUCATION PORTION IS THE KEY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN DOING OR TRYING THE EDUCATION PORTION, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED.
AND THE WORD IS OBVIOUSLY NOT GETTING OUT.
FOR THE YOUNGER FAMILIES, OLDER FAMILIES, WHATEVER THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, ARE THE PROBLEMS OUT THERE.
I WOULD STILL SAY THAT SOMEHOW WE NEED A BETTER WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE OCCUPANTS OUT THERE.
AND, AGAIN, MY SUGGESTION WAS WITH THAT DOOR HANGER, YOU DO IT FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
WE DON'T ADDRESS ANY OF THAT ON THAT DOOR HANGER.
IF YOU ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING -- NOWADAYS IF YOU GET A PIECE OF PAPER ON YOUR DOOR, YOU NORMALLY LOOK AT IT.
SO I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE THAT.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT KIND OF THING BEFORE WE START INSTITUTING THIS ADDITIONAL FEE.
YOU KNOW, I WILL SUPPORT WHAT YOU HAVE ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOWW BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CHANGE IN HOW YOU GET THIS WORD OUT.
>> PERRY: TO ENFORCE THIS AND MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM.
>> YEAH, SO TWO THINGS, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
ONE, WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE AS WE WENT THROUGH AND MET WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THEIR CHIEFS OF STAFFS.
BUT YOUR IDEA ABOUT THE DOOR HANGER, WE ACTUALLY TOOK TO HEART THE DOS AND DON'TS THAT YOU MENTIONED TO US.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COUNCIL
[00:50:01]
SHOULD BE AWARE OF IS WITH THE APPROVAL OF THIS AGENDA ITEM WE'RE GOING TO SEND A LETTER OUT TO ALL RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO.AND IN THAT LETTER WOULD BE SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPACT.
MOST RESIDENTS MAY NOT REALIZE IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE PLUS A YEAR.
AND THEY ALSO MAY NOT REALIZE THE HAZARDS TO THOSE THAT ARE ACTUALLY OPERATING IN THE PLANT AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEM.
AS FOLLOW UP TO THAT, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO PLACE STICKERS ON ALL THE CARTS IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT'S CLEAR ABOUT NO RECYCLING -- OR NO DIAPERS IN THE CART.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE REASON YOU SEE IT GO DOWN AND SOMETIMES GO UP, SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN GOOD AT HIDING THESE DIAPERS.
SOME OF THE FACILITIES THAT ARE CARING FOR OUR SENIORS HAVE GOTTEN GOOD AT HIDING.
THEY DON'T ALWAYS PUT IT AT THE TOP.
IN FACT, THEY SOMETIMES PUT IT AT THE BOTTOM.
SO THAT WHEN WE HAVE ONE OF OUR TRUCKS THE OTHER DAY WENT TO THE FACILITY AND WHEN IT TIPPED OUT WE ACTUALLY ASSESSED IT.
WE COUNTED 131 DIAPERS FROM ONE OF OUR TRUCKS.
KEEP IN MIND I HAVE OVER 180 OF THEM CITYWIDE.
SO WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THAT, YES, THEY ARE GETTING BETTER AT HIDING THAT.
WE ACTUALLY DON'T THINK MORE THAN 900 TO 950 A YEAR ACTUALLY WILL DO THAT.
AND IF WE COULD CHANGE THAT THEN YOU'RE ONLY LOOKING AT MAYBE 7% OF THEM ACTUALLY GOING ON FOR FEES AND, HOPEFULLY, WE CAN ADJUST THAT.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT THE $50 IS ONLY FOR THE DIAPERS AND WE CONTINUE WITH THE $25, AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN SINCE JUNE OF 2016.
BUT NOW WE GET THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AND KIND OF GO FROM THERE AT THAT POINT.
WELL, YOU DID MAKE ONE COMMENT.
LET'S SAY THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WE HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
ISN'T THAT -- ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR?
>> PERRY: AND TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WE SAVE THAT MILLION DOLLARS AND IT GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> WHAT THAT MEANS IS WHEN WE LOOK AT RATES, JUST LIKE WE'RE REDUCING THE SMALLEST CART RATE FOR SMALLEST CARTS THIS YEAR, THE MEDIUM-SIZED RATES.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS, THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR WORK IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.
AND THAT'S WHAT KEEPS OUR OVERALL RATES AT A REASONABLE LOW.
AND UNLESS YOU'RE HAVING THE LARGER CART, WHICH YOUR RATE IS DIFFERENT, BECAUSE IT'S A TIERED RATE NOW OR WHAT THEY CALL VARIABLE RATE PRICING.
THAT STILL MEANS THAT OVERALL WE COULD SAVE -- WE NEED THE MILLION DOLLARS TO GO TO OUR BOTTOM LINE, NOT ANYWHERE ELSE.
AND THAT BENEFITS ALL RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO THAT ARE OUR RATEPAYERS.
>> PERRY: SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY IS THAT IF WE SAVE THIS MILLION DOLLARS THE RATE MAY GO DOWN ON ONE OF THOSE CART SIZES OR WHATEVER, THE TIERED RATES.
>> THE SMALLEST CART HAS GONE DOWN COUNTING OUR FLEET MANAGEMENT.
SO EVERY MILLION DOLLARS MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
KEEP IN MIND THAT $1 MILLION ON A FINANCIAL SETTING FOR US IS ABOUT 25 CENTS.
>> PERRY: SO IF WE GET THAT MILLION DOLLARS SAVED WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE SOME KIND OF ADJUSTMENT IN RATES FOR THE FUTURE?
>> YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE US MAKE A PROPOSAL AS TO THE IMPACT OF WHAT THAT IS SO THAT YOU CAN GIVE US A LITTLE FEEDBACK ON WHAT THE NEXT STEPS.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF IT IS 25 CENTS SAVINGS THEN WHAT WE'RE SAYING, SAY WE GET UNDER 50 POUNDS PER HOUR.
THAT MEANS IT GETS CUT FROM 12.50 TO 6.25.
LESS THAN 5% AND THE WHOLE MILLION DOLLARS GOES AWAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE THREE CONSECUTIVE AUDITS FOR IT TO GO AWAY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
IT CAN GET TO THAT, THEN WE'LL BE HAPPY TO POINT OUT IN OUR BUDGET PRESENTATIONS WHERE THAT MILLION DOLLARS IS FOR DIRECTION.
>> PERRY: SEE, THAT'S THE HOOK THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, DAVID.
YOU NEED TO GET THAT WORD OUT TO
[00:55:02]
THE CITY SAYING, HEY, IF WE CAN CUT THIS OUT WE'LL LOOK AT REDUCING OUR RATES EVEN FURTHER IN OUR SYSTEM.>> PERRY: AND WE NEED TO EDUCATE FOLKS.
HEY, YOU COULD GET A BREAK IN OUR GARBAGE PICKUP AND GET A LOWER RATE IF WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.
THAT'S THE KIND OF EDUCATION I'M TALKING ABOUT.
WELL, I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS PROGRAM BEING SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE CAN LOWER THESE SOLID WASTE RATES EVEN FURTHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR AN ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT WE KNOW IS VERY SERIOUS FOR OUR CITY.
YOU KNOW, I TAKE SOME PAUSE TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS ABOUT MAKING CONSCIOUS CHOICES TO NOT USE THE RECYCLABLE.
I'M TELLING YOU AS A MOTHER OF FOUR YOU MAKE VERY FEW CONSCIOUS DECISIONS ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE DAY.
OFTEN IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET YOURSELF DRESSED AND THEM DRESSED AND OUT THE DOOR, YOU JUST WANT TO THROW THE TRASH AWAY.
IT'S NOT SUCH A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO SAY I'M NOT GOING TO RECYCLE THIS, I'M GOING TO THROW IT HERE.
YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO IN THE MORNING TO TRY TO LEAVE THE HOUSE.
I'M OFTEN SURPRISED THAT I GOT HERE AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE FURY OF TRYING TO GET OUTSIDE WITH THREE SMALL CHILDREN.
SO I CAUTION THAT LANGUAGE CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THESE.
SO, FOR EXAMPLE, MY COUNCIL DISTRICT HAS HOSTED A COUPLE OF COMMUNITY BABY SHOWERS AND I KNOW THE CITY HOSTS COMMUNITY BABY SHOWERS AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, MAYBE FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
AND WE OFTEN GIVE AWAY DIAPERS.
SO HOW ABOUT IN THOSE SCENARIOS WHAT WE'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, THE DIAPERS ARE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER WE EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY, WHERE TO TAKE THEM, SERVICES THAT THE CITY PROVIDES, EVERYTHING FROM BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT TO WIC PROGRAMS. SO ARE YOU ALSO --
WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE NOW THAT WE ACTUALLY GO OUT FOR NEW MOTHERS OR TO-BE MOTHERS AND WE GET INFORMATION OUT THAT WAY AS WELL.
SO WE DO HAVE TARGETED OUTREACH TO HELP EDUCATE AND DO BETTER WITH THAT.
SO WE CURRENTLY ARE IN PLACE TO DO THAT.
>> GONZALES: AND I DID SEE SOME ADS.
I'M PRETTY SURE IT WAS ON TELEVISION, JUST REGULAR TELEVISION.
>> GONZALES: AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR MARKETING MATERIALS, FROM THE ABILITY TO GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF THAT I HAVE SEEN, THE STICKERS AND THAT AD WHERE SHE HAS TWO BABIES CHASING EACH OTHER ON THE BOTTOM.
AND I'M THINKING PRIMARILY OF CHILDREN, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I AM IN LIFE, BUT WITH THE ADULT DIAPER ISSUE I HADN'T CONSIDERED THAT ONE AS FULLY.
BUT, I MEAN, SO I GUESS EVEN STILL MORE TARGETED OUTREACH, I WOULD THINK, WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL.
AND EVEN STILL PUTTING SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY ON THE INDIVIDUAL IN A COMMUNITY WHERE WE ARE OVERWHELMED WITH RESPONSIBILITIES THAT SOME THINGS THE CITY COULD TAKE CARE OF.
I KNOW THAT RECYCLING IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE -- WE HAVE EVOLVED AS A CITY WHERE WE'RE STARTING TO DO BETTER.
BUT EVEN FOR A LOT OF US CULTURALLY IT DOESN'T COME NATURALLY.
EVEN AT THE COUNCIL WE HAVE ALL THESE OPTIONS FOR RECYCLING AND OFTEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF ALL OF THEM TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT GOES IN WHAT BIN.
THIS IS BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION ABOUT WHERE TO PUT THINGS.
I'M RELUCTANT TO MOVE THAT FEE ON TO THE CONSUMER.
THE OTHER THING IS WHAT ABOUT SOME SORT OF CARROT RATHER THAN THE STICK TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? I MEAN, HOW ABOUT COUPONS THAT WOULD SAY IF YOU RECYCLE? THE OTHER THING I HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT IS I HAVE TRIED CLOTH DIAPERS AS WELL.
YOUR WHOLE HOUSE WILL SMELL LIKE A DIAPER IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF THAT REALLY QUICKLY.
AND SO THEN YOU THINK WELL MAYBE I'LL BUY BIODEGRADABLE DIAPERS AND PEOPLE GET CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER THEY CAN GO IN THE RECYCLING BECAUSE THEY'RE
[01:00:01]
BIODEGRADABLE.>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE $25 FEE THAT CURRENTLY IS IN EXISTENCE IN THE ORDINANCE.
WHAT WE'RE BRINGING BEFORE YOU IS STRICTLY FOR DIAPERS ONLY.
SO WE'RE ONLY FOCUSED ON THIS -- IN TERMS OF ORDINANCE CHANGE, TO TARGET THE DIAPER EDUCATION.
WE ALREADY PUT STICKERS ON THE CARTS, THE BLUE CARTS WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHAT BELONGS.
I DON'T THINK WE CAN EVER DO ENOUGH.
I THINK WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REMIND EVERYBODY THE PROPER WAY TO RECYCLE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALREADY APPROACHING OVER 1500 PRESENTATION IN OUR SCHOOLS FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF RECYCLERS, AND WE HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED ALMOST 20,000 INDIVIDUALS, COUNTING COMMUNITY GROUPS AS WELL AS SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS TO TRY TO GET THEM LOCKED IN STEP.
SO INCENTIVES, THAT'S WHY WE'RE REACHING OUT AND TARGETING.
YOU KNOW HOW YOUR PHONE IS SO EQUIPPED NOW THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU TEXT OR GOOGLE, WE'RE DOING THOSE THINGS.
SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT FIND OUR COMMERCIALS WHILE YOU'RE WATCHING A MOVIE THEATER AND THE LITTLE PREEMPTIVE THINGS JUST TO REMIND YOU THERE'S OUR CORE FOR.
EVEN AT FIESTA THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO GIVE OUT MEDALS AGAIN BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REDEMPTION STATIONS.
INSTEAD OF 22 THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 30.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO GET IT RIGHT.
I AGREE WITH YOU THAT IT DOESN'T COME EASY AND THAT YOU CAN NEVER DO TOO MUCH.
>> GONZALES: I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT HOW ABOUT THE MAJOR RETAILERS LIKE H-E-B? ARE YOU WORKING WITH THEM TO --
WE ALREADY ARE REACHING OUT AND HAVING SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
YOU MAY RECALL AT ONE TIME WE HAD A NETWORK WITH H-E-B ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT FRONTS, BUT OUR MARKETING STRATEGIST ON OUR SIDE IS CAREFULLY WORKING TO GET THINGS THROUGH AND TO COMMUNICATE.
BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS PAMPERS THAT COME IN THE BOX, THE BOX SAYS IT CAN BE RECYCLED BUT IT IS NOT REFERRING TO THE DIAPER, REGARDLESS.
BECAUSE PAMPERS IS A TRADEMARK, BUT HUGGIS, ANY OF THEM.
THE BOX CAN, AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO DIAPERS IN THEM, CAN BE RECYCLED.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE HAVING ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR A PRESENTATION JUST SO THAT THEY'LL KNOW WHEN MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT KIND OF FROM INCEPTION ALL THE WAY BACK TO RECYCLING BACK TO THEM.
SO IF THERE'S CERTAIN COMMODITIES THAT KIND OF TRIP US UP EVERY NOW AND THEN OR OUR CUSTOMERS, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THAT GETS PASSED ON TO THOSE MANUFACTURERS.
WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOUR CONTINUED WORK ON THIS.
I'M ALWAYS VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO AT SOLID WASTE.
I JUST DON'T SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE BECAUSE I JUST FIND IT TO BE OVERBURDENSOME FOR PEOPLE.
$50 COULD PAY FOR TWO FULL BOXES OF DIAPERS AND THAT'S A LOT FOR FAMILIES.
AND SO I WOULD HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU COULD EVEN TARGET PERHAPS JUST THE DAY CARES OR, YOU KNOW, THAT SOME HOMES HAVE HOME DAY CARES FOR ADULTS AND FOR CHILDREN.
IF THEY COULD BE TARGETED FIRST BEFORE WE GO TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER WHO ALREADY ARE BURDENED.
>> LET ME SAY THIS TO YOU, JUST SO YOU'LL KNOW FROM AN EQUITY PERSPECTIVE.
OUR DRIVERS, OUR INSPECTORS -- UNLESS THEY SEE IT IN THE CART THEN WE KNOW THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE.
WE'RE NOT JUST TARGETING ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ANY AREA.
THE DEMOGRAPHICS, AS THE CITY MANAGER POINTED OUT, IS ALL OVER THE CITY.
SO WITH THAT BEING THAT UNIQUE, WE ARE LOOKING FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THEM.
SO WHEN WE SAY 97% OF FOLKS THAT GET THAT FIRST WARNING IS THAT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY, THAT IS PRETTY CLEAR BECAUSE ONLY THAT OTHER LESS THAN 3% ACTUALLY WE HAVE TO TAKE ANOTHER STAB AT IT TO TRY TO GET THEM ON BOARD.
SO ONE THING I WANT YOU TO KNOW IS THAT PLEASE COUNT ON US TO CONTINUE THAT EDUCATION PIECE.
I WOULD LOVE TO BE INVITED TO YOUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS FROM TIME TO TIME.
BUT EVEN IF YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR ADDRESS YOU WANT YOUR
[01:05:01]
SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR TO GO VISIT.IF I PERSONALLY CAN'T GET THERE I'LL HAVE SOMEONE IN STAFF GET THERE.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.
I'VE GOT TO GET RID OF THIS ADDED FEE THAT WE KNOW AS A CITY WE CAN DO IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DAVID, FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO.
I AM GOING TO ASK THAT YOU PUT UP YOUR PRESENTATION, PLEASE, BECAUSE I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT ALSO IS TO SEE SOME OF THESE PICTURES, EVEN FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, EDUCATION.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR VIEWERS SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING ALSO IN THE SORTING AREAS AND THAT PEOPLE DO PHYSICALLY HAVE TO, EVEN WITH PROTECTIVE GEAR, THEY HAVE TO PICK OUT THESE DIAPERS FROM THE SORTING.
>> COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, I APPRECIATE IT.
WHAT YOU SEE IN THE LEFT PICTURE IS A DIAPER IN THE ASSEMBLY LINE WHERE ONE OF THE PLANT MAINTENANCE.
YOU SEE THE HAND REACHING OUT TO PULL THE DIAPERS OUT.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE VERSUS THE LEFT, YOU SEE, ONCE IT IS IN BUNDLES, THEN THEY HAVE TO DRESS IT A LITTLE BIT TO PULL OUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY HAVE GOTTEN INTO THAT BUNDLE.
BECAUSE ONCE IT GOES ON THE OPEN MARKET AND SOMETIMES OVERSEAS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR HIGHEST COMMODITY PURCHASES ACTUALLY END UP GOING FOR THOSE COMMODITIES, YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO THIS AS WELL.
I LOVE SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUE -- COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES BROUGHT UP.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS EQUITY IMPACT AS WE'RE LOOKING AT FEES.
BUT I ALSO SEE IN THE NEXT SLIDE I SEE THE IMPACT THAT THAT $25 CONTAMINATION FEE DID DO AND IT DID CAUSE A WAKE-UP CALL TO EVERYONE.
WE KNOW IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHAT WE SEE IS IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE REPEAT OFFENDERS, WHEN YOU HIT THEM IN THE POCKETBOOK, IT DOES CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR.
BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THIS FEE HAS TO LAST FOREVER EITHER.
WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS THAT -- AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THAT IS TRUE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO LAST FOREVER.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE STILL MINDFUL OF IS HAVING IT OUT THERE DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT HAS TO BE EXECUTED IF THERE'S NO REASON TO DO THAT.
AND IT WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY JUST FOR VIOLATORS OF THE DIAPERS.
BECAUSE WHAT'S ALSO NOT LOST ON ME, AND I DON'T THINK ON ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, IS I DO MY BEST TO RECYCLE AND I WILL MAKE SURE IT'S CLEANED AND IT'S WASHED.
AND I'M PUTTING IT IN MY BLUE RECYCLE BIN.
BUT THEN TO KNOW THAT WHEN IT'S ALL THERE THAT THERE ARE DIAPERS OR WHATEVER OTHER THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO POSSIBLY RUIN THE COMMODITY.
AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO THIS, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SEE AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND WE CAN SEE IF THAT NUMBER WILL GO DOWN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE CREEPING THAT WENT BACK UP.
I DO THINK THAT THE DOOR HANGERS ARE ALWAYS EFFECTIVE.
I KNOW THAT I NEVER MISS A BRUSHY OR BULKY PICK UP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THE STICKERS ARE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE TOO, AS WELL ARE YOUR SERVICE GUIDES.
THEY'RE LIKE LITTLE USER -- U I HATE TO USE THE TERM BIBLE, BUT THEY ARE, JUST TO KNOW WHAT GOES INTO THOSE CANS.
>> VIAGRAN: AND TO MAKE THOSE AVAILABLE.
AND I KNOW YOU ALL DO, TO OUR FIELD OFFICE, TO THE LIBRARIES, TO THUATION.
I THINK YOU ALSO NEED TO DO THE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION AT OUR PRE-K 4 SA SITES AS WELL AS OUR SENIORS.
>> WE VISIT PRE-K 4 SA AS WELL AS OUR SENIORS.
>> VIAGRAN: AND JUST TO MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE ALSO THAT'S IMPORTANT, AND I'M GLAD IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED.
THIS HAPPENS IN EVERY SINGLE PART OF TOWN AND WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS IT IN SOME WAY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO THAT RECYCLING GOAL OVERALL AS A CITY.
I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH BUT THE BEST WAY TO NOT GET FINED IS TO NOT DO IT.
SO I THINK THAT IS WHY I'M GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND I'M GOING TO MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 20.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
DAVID, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK ON THIS.
>> BROCKHOUSE: DAVID AND DAVID
[01:10:01]
SQUARE THERE ARE DOING FANTASTIC WORK.IN THIS SITUATION, AND I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN RIGHT THERE, THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THE FINE IS TO NOT PUT THE DIAPER IN THE RECYCLABLE CONTAINER.
TO THE CONVERSATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FAMILY SITUATIONS AND HOW YOUR DAY-TO-DAY THOUGHTS, WHAT'S HAPPENING, THE CRAZINESS.
MINE IS FIVE RUNNING AROUND THE HOUSE, AND MY SON AS WELL.
WE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE TENDS TO USE THE BLUE CAN AS AN OVERFLOW WHEN THERE'S TOO MUCH GOING ON IN THE BROWN.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND YOU HAVE DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
AT MY HOUSE, MY SON, SINCE HE WAS IN THE SEVENTH OR EIGHTH GRADE, STARTED TAKING OUT THE TRASH.
AS HE WAS DOING THAT, LOADED UP TOO MUCH.
ONE DAY I CAUGHT IT THAT HE WAS USING THE BLUE AS AN OVERFLOW.
THAT WAS A TERRIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN THAT OUT.
I THINK IF YOU CAN GET MORE EDUCATION IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS AND TO THOSE FOLKS ALSO AT THE END OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, SEVENTH OR EIGHTH GRADE, THE AGE GROUP THAT'S KIND OF GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF THAT.
AND THEN THE STICKER ON TOP OF THE CAN TO REMIND PEOPLE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
YOU CAN BE COMPASSIONATE IN THIS.
YOU HAVE OUTLINED OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGLE MOTHERS OR SINGLE FATHERS STRUGGLING WITH BABIES TO GET THAT THROWN.
SOMETIMES YOU BAG THAT UP AND CHUNK IT WHATEVER.
I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT IT EITHER, SOMETIMES.
I THINK YOU HAVE COMPASSION BUILT INTO THE PROCESS BUT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE ANY TIME WE'RE SENDING SOMEONE OUT THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIME OF YOUR EMPLOYEES.
THAT COST OF AN ADDITIONAL VISIT OR ADDITIONAL STEP TO EDUCATE THAT WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN EDUCATED IS RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR A FEE.
SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REITERATE THAT 97% ADHERE TO THESE FINES.
VERY SIMILAR TO CODE COMPLIANCE.
THIS IS BASICALLY A CODE COMPLIANCE ISSUE.
AND THIS IS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY SO THERE'S NOTHING HERE THAT INDICATES THIS IS ISOLATED TO ONE PARTICULAR SOCIOECONOMIC OR DEMOGRAPHIC.
EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE SAME STANDARD.
WHEN WE GO AND FILE CODE ISSUES OR DO SWEEPS IN THE DISTRICT, FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE COME IN AND WE IMMEDIATELY START CITING AND GIVING WARNINGS.
AND 97 TO 99% OF THE CITIZENS ADHERE IMMEDIATELY AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND MOVE AWAY.
THIS 1% OR 3% THAT JUST DON'T WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES IN THE CODE COMPLIANCE SECTION, ULTIMATELY END UP GETTING FIND.
THIS ONE YOU HAVE BUILT MORE COMPASSION INTO THE PROCESS, RECOGNIZING THERE NEEDS TO BE ONE OR TWO STEPS -- TO COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S POINT, A $50 FEE APPEARING ON A CPS ENERGY BILL COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU MAKING THAT BILL OR NOT AND MAYBE IT'S WORTHY OF A CONVERSATION.
I THINK THE COUNCILMAN BROUGHT UP A GOOD POINT.
TO ASK CPS ENERGY -- THEIR ELECTRICITY SHOULDN'T BE TURNED OFF FOR AN ADDED FEE.
IT SHOULD ONLY BE TURNED OFF FOR A PROBLEM.
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH ECONOMIC ISSUES HERE, FISCAL ISSUES, WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT EVER DISCONNECTING SOMEBODY -- IT SHOULD ONLY BE BECAUSE OF THEIR UTILITY BILL.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S HOW IT IS ALREADY SET UP.
>> WELL, THE WAY THAT IT'S SET UP IS THAT BEFORE ANYONE -- AS YOU GET THAT NOTICE, SAY IT'S YOUR SECOND WARNING, WE HAD TO SERVICE THE CONTAINER AND DO A DIFFERENT THING, EVEN BEFORE WE SEND THAT TO CPS ENERGY WE WAIT ALMOST AN ENTIRE MONTH JUST TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE RESIDENT TO GET BACK WITH US SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT ADDED ADJUSTMENT IN ADVANCE.
SO EVEN IF WE BY CHANCE -- IT GOES THROUGH, IT FINALLY SNAPS 60 DAYS LATER.
I JUST WANT TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR.
SO GIVING THEM BACK THE CREDIT ON THEM IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR US AS WELL.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THAT'S EXCELLENT.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE ADDING MORE THOUGHT INTO THE PROCESS.
BUT MY CONCERN IS, TO COUNCILMAN COURAGE'S POINT, IF IT ENDS UP ON THE CPS ENERGY BILL AND THEIR BILL IS NORMALLY $110 AND THEY'RE ALWAYS ON THE EDGE OF MAKING IT, NOT MAKING IT, DISCONNECT, NO DISCONNECT.
IF IT DOES GET TO THAT POINT, NOW THEIR BILL IS $160, IS CPS ENERGY SHUTTING THEM DOWN BECAUSE OF THAT $160? OR IS IT JUST FOR THEIR UTILITY BILL THAT'S DUE?
>> IN ALL MY 11 YEARS OF BEING HERE I HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM CUT OFF ONE'S ELECTRICITY DIRECTLY FOR NOT PAYING A SOLID WASTE FEE.
IT GETS TOTALED INTO THAT, BUT THAT MEANS THAT IF IT GETS DISCONNECTED IT'S NOT THE FEE ITSELF.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I'M WITH YOU BUT IF WE CAN FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT CPS ENERGY LOOKS AT AND THE
[01:15:03]
TOTAL BILL DUE PRIOR TO A DISCONNECT NOTICE.>> SO LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE INSIGHT TO THAT, THEN.
SO THEY SOMEONE GOT THE $25 FEE AND THEIR UTILITY IS $110, SO THEY HAVE LIKE $135 ON THE BOOKS.
AND THEY ONLY PAID THE $110 AND THEY FLOAT THAT OTHER $25 THAT'S ATTACHED TO US.
THEN IT'S NOT GOING TO GET CUT OFF AT THAT POINT, IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IN WORKING WITH THEM.
>> BROCKHOUSE: I JUST WANT WANT TO VERIFY THAT.
THEY SHOULDN'T BE DISCONNECTED OVER AN ADDITIONAL FEE.
AT THAT POINT THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES AND I'M CONCERNED THAT CPS ENERGY WOULD BE INCLUDING THIS AS AN ENTIRE LUMP SUM AND BASING THEIR DISCONNECT NOTICE ON THIS FEE THAT MAY HIT THEM AS AN ANINOPPORTUNE TIME.
BUT OVERALL IF YOU CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE EDUCATION PATH AND WITH THE EDUCATION PATH ULTIMATELY YOU HAVE TO COME TO ACCOUNTABILITY, I THINK YOU HAVE BUILT A PROCESS THAT MAKES SENSE.
I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF IT IN THE SENSE THAT WE KNOW WHO IS COMPLYING AND WHO IS NOT.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TRACKING IT, EDUCATING IT, AND HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOUR TEAM CONTINUES TO DO.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
I JUST WANT TO SEE THE COMPLIANCE PIECE AND WE'LL WORK WITH THE OTHER UNIQUENESS OF EACH ONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COULD YOU IS SILLMAN BROCKHOUSE.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS COMMENDABLE.
WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND BE AN EFFICIENT CITY AND HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
I JUST REALLY TAKE EXCEPTION TO THE STEPS THAT YOU'RE PUTTING FORWARD AT THIS TIME.
FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEND OUT A LETTER TO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ALL OF THESE SERVICES RIGHT NOW.
GOING TO COST A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO DO THAT.
A DOLLAR A LETTER TO 250,000 OR MORE RESIDENTS?
>> IT SHOULDN'T COST A QUARTER MILLION.
I'M NOT SURE THE EXACT AMOUNT.
WE'RE TALKING ANYWHERE FROM 50 TOO 100,000.
>> WE'RE NOT SENDING OUT POST CARDS.
TYPICALLY POST CARDS TO THE ENTIRE CITY DUR O DURING OUR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE, THAT'S ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS.
WE WANT THEM TO KNOW WHAT THE SCHEDULE WILL BE.
NO OTHER INSERTS EXPLAINING ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR ANYTHING?
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LETTER.
THE LETTER IS GOING TO BE PRETTY CLEAR AS TO THE WHY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO INLE MILLION DOLLAR IMPACT THAT CURRENTLY --
>> COURAGE: THEN YOU'RE GOING TO PUT NEW STICKERS ON ALL OF THE RECYCLE -- ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THEM ON ALL THREE, NOT HERE, NOT HERE --
>> IT ONLY NEEDS TO GO ON THE TWO.
I WANT TRASH IN THE BROWN, SO THE IDEAL IS --
>> COURAGE: SO TWO OUT OF THREE.
AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PHYSICALLY SOMEBODY PHYSICALLY GETTING OUT OF THE TRUCK AND GO ON AND PUT THEM ON EACH OF THOSE.
HOW MANY ARE WE PUTTING THOSE ON?
>> COURAGE: THE COST OF THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.
>> THINK ABOUT IT, IF WE DO NOTHING, COUNCILMAN.
WE HAVE $10 MILLION THAT JUST LEFT US, SO --
>> COURAGE: I'M NOT SAYING DO NOTHING.
>> IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO POINT OUT.
>> COURAGE: WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ARRANGE WITH H-E-B AND OTHER GROSSER WHOSE SELL DIAPERS TO PUT SIGNAGE IN AISLES?
WHAT WE'RE SAYING, SOMETIMES ON YOUR PHONE YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TAG -- THE CELL PHONES ARE UNIQUE NOW.
MY MARKETING MANAGER WOULD KNOW THE RIGHT LANGUAGE FOR THIS, BUT SOMETIMES YOU'LL GET ADVERTISEMENTS THAT WILL POP UP ON YOUR PHONE AND YOU'RE LIKE, WHERE AM I STANDING, HOW DID FOLKS TAG ME FOR BEING HERE.
BUT THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT ONCE YOU TAG INTO CERTAIN THINGS YOU USE CERTAIN SHOPPING HABITS, THEN THOSE UNIQUE THINGS TRIGGER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REACH OUT ELECTRONICALLY TO THEM.
SO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PUTTING UP POSTERS AND ALL OF THE H-E-BS, WE'RE JUST SAYING THE EDUCATION THROUGH ELECTRONIC -- WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY IN FRONT OF US TODAY.
>> COURAGE: SEEMS TO BE IF YOU REALLY EDUCATE PEOPLE.
WHERE YOU HAVE THE DIAPERS IS WHERE YOU HAVE SMALL SIGNS THAT STICK OUT THAT SAY DO NOT PUT IN RECYCLING.
PEOPLE SEE THOSE AS THEY GO TO BUY THE DIAPERS, EVERY TIME THEY GO TO THE STORE MONTH AFTER MONTH INSTEAD OF CATCHING A MESSAGE ONCE IN A WHILE.
[01:20:03]
MARKETERS -->> THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD LOOK TO MY MARKETING STRATEGIST TO LOOK INTO THAT.
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT SUGGESTION.
>> COURAGE: THE OTHER THING YOU MENTIONED WHICH I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT, BUT I GUESS IT GOES ALONG WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT, THIS IS NOT A GEOGRAPHIC ISSUE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> COURAGE: BUT CONTRARY TO WHAT COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE SAID, IT IS AN ECONOMIC AND EDUCATION ISSUE.
BECAUSE IT MOSTLY AFFECTS YOUNG FAMILIES, AND MANY TIMES, YOUNG WOMEN WITH CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT HAVE A SPOUSE IN THE FAMILY, AND THEN A LOT OF SENIORS, VERY OLD, MANY OF THEM LIVING ON THEIR OWN, BUT MANY MORE WHO ARE LIVING IN FACILITIES FOR TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY AND YOU SEEM TO MENTION THAT THERE WAS ONE FACILITY WHERE YOU COULD DETERMINE THAT HUNDREDS OF DIAPERS WERE THROWN IN, AND SO THAT MEANS THAT FACILITY, WHETHER IT WAS A CHILD CARE CENTER OR ELDERLY RETIREMENT TYPE CENTER, THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO GET PENALIZED $50 COMPARED TO ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE?
>> NO, WHAT I MENTIONED, COUNCIL MEMBER COURAGE, IT CAME FROM ONE ROUTE.
WE ARE PERIODICALLY LOOKING AT ROUTES ACROSS THE CITY.
>> SO ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE 30 POUNDS OF DIAPERS FROM THIS ROUTE AND I TOOK THE TIME TO AUDIT AND I SEE I GOT 70 DIAPER FROM THIS ROUTE.
131 FROM THAT ROUTE, THAT MEANS THAT THE BALANCE OF IT, THERE'S NOT -- IT'S NOT ABOUT ONE FACILITY.
WE COULD IDENTIFY THE FACILITY, THAT WOULD BE AN EASY THING TO DO.
BUT SOME OF THESE FACILITIES ARE REGULAR HOMES THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR NEXT, YOU KNOW, OUR ELDERLY POPULATION.
>> COURAGE: SO, YOU DO KNOW WHAT THE MOST CRITICAL ROUTES ARE?
THAT'S THE POINT -- THAT'S BACK TO MY POINT ON THE DEMOGRAPHICS.
>> EVEN WHEN WE DO STUDIES ON CONTROL ROUTES WE SEE IT'S ALL ACROSS THE CITY, SO THERE'S NOT -- THERE'S JUST
>> COURAGE: YOU DON'T HAVE TOP TEN ROUTES THAT SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM?
>> NO, WE HAVE AN ISSUE CITYWIDE.
>> COURAGE: I THINK YOU'VE MADE A VALID POINT.
I WILL STILL VOTE AGAINST THIS ITEM.
I ENCOURAGE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, TOO, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME BACK AT ANOTHER MEETING WITH ALTERNATIVES FOR EDUCATION RATHER THAN GOING WITH THE PLAN YOU'RE PROPOSING TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
SO, WE DID RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS PROPOSAL AT HEALTH AND EQUITY COMMITTEE.
IT'S FUNNY A LOT OF THE -- IT'S NOT FUNNY, IT'S CURIOUS, THAT A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE ARE HEARING TODAY ARE REALLY ABOUT HEALTH AND EQUITY, AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE, WE REALLY PUT MR. MCCARRIE THROUGH HIS PACES AT THAT COMMITTEE MEETING AND QUESTIONED HIM ON COUNTLESS SCENARIOS ABOUT PEOPLE RECEIVING TICKETS, OR, SORRY, FEES, AS A RESULT OF PUTTING DIAPERS IN THE RECYCLING BINENED HE REALLY CONTINUED TO COME BACK TO US WITH THE VERY FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO HOW PEOPLE ARE CITED FOR THIS -- NOT CITED BECAUSE IT'S A FEE CHARGE.
>> SANDOVAL: BUT HOW PEOPLE END UP RECEIVING A FEE.
WE ASKED, WHAT IF IT'S AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND YOU CAN'T TELL WHO PUT WHAT IN WHERE, HE SAID THEN WE'LL WORK WITH APARTMENT MANAGEMENT.
THERE WERE COUNTLESS AND COUNTLESS SCENARIO, AND COUNCILMAN PELAEZ SILTS ON THAT COMMITTEE AND YOU KNOW WHAT LINE OF QUESTIONING HE CAN HAVE AS WELL.
THERE WAS A LOT ABOUT THE LEGALITIES OF THIS AND COUNCILMAN SHAW ALSO MADE SOME GREAT SUGGESTIONS, SO, BUT ONE THING THAT DID STICK WITH ME DURING THAT PRESENTATION THAT YOU GAVE US, DAVID, WAS WHEN YOU ISSUE WARNINGS, HOW MANY OF THOSE WARNINGS ACTUALLY TURNED INTO A FEE?
>> SANDOVAL: AND WHAT DID THOSE INDIVIDUALS -- HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THEM? ARE THEY FAMILIES? ARE THEY ONE SPECIFIC TYPE? DOES IT SPAN THE GAMUT?
EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU'LL GET A WIFE ACCUSING THE HUSBAND OF, I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT.
AND SOMETIMES IT IS SOMEONE THAT JUST DIDN'T KNOW SOMEONE
[01:25:02]
VISITING FROM OUT OF TOWN, THEY PUT IT ACCIDENTLY INTO THE WRONG CART, BECAUSE IN THEIR CITY, THE COLORS MAY BE DIFFERENT.SO, IT COULD BE FROM THAT FROM TIME TO TIME.
>> SANDOVAL: SO, WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM YOUR PRESENTATION WAS THAT WHEN YOU DO TALK TO PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM A WARNING, THEY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
>> SANDOVAL: AND THAT THE WARNING REALLY SERVES AS THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S THAT RED FLAG THAT GETS THEIR ATTENTION, SO I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO DO THAT.
I HATE THE IDEA OF THE WORKERS IN THE RECYCLING FACILITIES, HAVING TO GO THROUGH THAT AS PART OF THEIR JOB, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO KEEP THEM SAFE.
>> SANDOVAL: AND KEEP US MOVING ON THE RIGHT PATH TOWARD MEETING OUR RECYCLING GOALS, AND I AM REALLY CONFIDENT THAT YOU HAVE -- YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE WHEN YOU WORK WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM.
>> SANDOVAL: SO, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE ITEM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE DISCUSSION AND THE COMMITTEES THAT HAVE VETTED THIS.
BECAUSE UNLIKE, OR JUST LIKE A DIRTY DIAPER, THAT IF YOU DON'T BUNDLE IT UP PROPERLY, THERE CAN BE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL.
>> ITEM NUMBER 26 IS A RESOLUTION INITIATING HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR 9 905NOGALITOS STREET, 118, 120ENED 122 RALPH AND WAIVING ALL RELATED FEES.
WE HAVE A FEW CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
>> I HAVE TWO PICTURE, THANK YOU, COUNCIL AND MAYOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THIS IS THE ONLY SURVIVING STATION FROM SAN ANTONIO -- OF THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION.
IT'S ONE OF THE TOP 30 MOST SIGNIFICANT STATIONS IDENTIFIED IN A SURVEY OF OVER 1500 HISTORIC GAS STATIONS THAT THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION BEGAN IN 1983.
DESIGNATION OF A GAS STATION AFFECTS -- SORRY, AFFECTS ROUGHLY ONE EIGHTH OF A LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
YOU'LL SEE THIS IS NUMBER ONE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE MY STATEMENT AND THESE PICTURES AS WELL.
DESIGNATION AFFECTS ONE EIGHTH OF OF A LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF ECONOMICALLY VIABLE REDEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR THE OWNER.
IN A CITY WITH SO MANY SUCCESSFULLY PRESERVED GAS STATIONS THIS BUILDING ADDS VALUE TO THE SITE.
WE WERE ASKED IN JANUARY TO WITHDRAW OUR REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION, SO THAT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THIS SITE COULD PROCEED IN GOOD FAITH.
WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PRESENT THE DEMOLITION OF THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY LANDMARK AND I'M GOING TO GO OFF SCRIPT REAL QUICK AND JUST TELL YOU WE HAD EIGHT PEOPLE THAT WE HAD CONTACTED AND WHO HAD CONTACTED US WHO HAD TRIED TO SUBMIT OFFERS, OR AT LEAST START SOME KIND OF NEGOTIATION IN GOOD FAITH ON THIS PROPERTY.
NONE OF THEM WERE -- THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WITH AN E-MAIL OR ANY KIND OF CONTACT AT ALL, NOTHING.
AND THERE WAS A LITTLE RUN AROUND ON WHO THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT BUT THE CONTACTS WERE MADE.
WITH COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES WHO HELPED SET UP NEGOTIATION IN GOOD FAITH AND WE HAD TRIED TO MEET WITH YOU RECENTLY, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHANGES ON THE CAL CALENDAR WITH THE MEETING AND THEN WE WERE LEFT WITH A STAFF PERSON WHO SAID I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS CASE, DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AND SO, IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING.
WHEN THE CITY ASKS US TO WITHDRAW SOMETHING, AND TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH, WE FEEL
[01:30:04]
WE MUST COMPLY, BUT THEN WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS, IT'S LIKE, IS THIS JUST, YOU KNOW, A STALEMATE? WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY.WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR 94TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION LAST WEEK, AND SO THIS IS OUR MISSION.
AND I MIGHT ADD, TOO, THAT TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INTERESTED AND STILL ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PROPERTY RECEIVED AWARDS LAST NIGHT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MISS BEVIN.
>> GOOD MORNING MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M ROB KILLEN, 100 WEST HOUSTON STREET I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER AND HE'S OPPOSED TO HISTORIC DESIGNATION FOR HER PROPERTY.
I STARTED TO TELL YOU MARIA, THE PROPERTY OWNER'S STORY.
TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY MARIA'S PARENTS CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AS IMMIGRANTS.
HER FATHER BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AND BUILT BUSINESSES THERE INCLUDING THE GAS STATION.
HE BUILT THE GAS STATION, HE BUILT THESE BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY.
HE BUILT THE GAS STATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUTURE OF HIS FAMILY.
WHEN MARIA'S FATHER PASSED AWAY SHE INHERITED THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE GAS STATION AND UNFORTUNATELY, MARIA, WHO COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY, BECAUSE SHE'S 98 YEARS OLD, SHE'S LIVES OUT OF TOWN, AND SHE IS ON 24 HOUR MEDICAL CARE, BUT MARIA INHERITED THE PROPERTY.
THE GAS STATION -- THERE ARE OTHER PROPERTIES, OTHER BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY THAT HAVE TENANTS AND THEY HAVE LOOKED FOR TENANTS, OR USERS FOR THIS GAS STATION FOR 20 YEARS.
THE BUILDING HAS SAT VACANT FOR 20 YEARS.
MARIA CAN NO LONGER MAINTAIN -- WE HAVE THE VACANT BUILDING ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRES BUILDINGS TO BE MAINTAINED TO A CERTAIN STANDARD WITHOUT A TENANT FOR MARIA.
BEING OUT OF TOWN AND 98 YEARS OLD TO OBTAIN THAT.
BACK IN OCTOBER HER DAUGHTER SUBMITTED A DEMOLITION PERMIT REQUEST.
SIX MONTHS AGO ASKED FOR DEMO DEMOLITION.
THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY CAME IN AND ASKED TO HAVE THIS PROPERTY DESIGNATED HISTORIC.
AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION COUNCILMAN GONZALES SUGGESTED WE TAKE A COUPLE MONTHS TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE OUT THERE WILLING TO BUY THE PROPERTY, REDEVELOP IT AND SAVE THAT GAS STATION.
TWO MONTHS, WE GOT TWO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE EIGHT WERE, BUT WE HAD TWO OFFERS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.
AND BOTH OF THOSE OFFERS WERE LOWBALL OFFERS.
THEY CERTAINLY WEREN'T FAIR TO MARIA.
THEY DIDN'T REFLECT THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY BUT AGAIN, ONLY TWO POINTS OF CONTACT.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS REACHED OUT TO.
FOLKS WERE DIRECTED TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.
BUT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT DIALOGUE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE UNDERSTOOD AND COMMUNICATED BACK TO OUR CLIENT IS THERE IS AN ELEMENT IF THE COMMUNITY THAT WANTS TO SAVE THAT GAS STATION.
SO WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TODAY, IF COUNCIL DENIES THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION, ISSUES OF DEMOLITION PERMIT WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION ON THE DEMOLITION PERMIT AND FOR THE -- MY TIME UP? AND FOR A FIVE MONTH PERIOD, WE WILL WORK WITH FOLKS, ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE GAS STATION, MARIA WILL GIVE IT TO THEM FREE AND CLEAR, NO CHARGE, AND SHE'LL MAKE A $10,000 DONATION TO THAT NON-PROFIT OR OTHER ENTITY TO DEFRAY THE COST.
ERIN SIGNED UP AND I'LL TAKE HER TIME.
>> $10,000 DONATION TO THAT NON-PROFIT TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST OF MOVING.
SO THE GAS STATION WILL GO FREE AND CLEAR AND A $10,000 DONATION.
THAT WILL BE THE COST THAT MARIA WOULD HAVE SPENT TO DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY.
INSTEAD SHE WILL GIVE THAT TO SOMEBODY TO HELP MOVE THE BUILDING.
CONVERSATION WITH SHANNON A FEW -- A LITTLE WHILE AGO, I THINK WE CAN FIND WAYS TO EXTEND THAT FIVE MONTH TIME LINE TO GIVE US TIME TO WORK WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO MOVE THE BUILDING OR POTENTIALLY BUY THE ENTIRE PROPERTY BUT AGAIN ASKING THAT YOU DENY THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION TODAY AND THEN ALLOW US TIME TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT BUILDING MOVED.
ALL OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE IT LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER SO WE CAN DO IT.
I'LL GIVE YOU A PROPERTY OF THE LETTER WE GAVE TO SHANNON AND COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE THIS BUILDING AND PROMOTE THE INTEREST IN TRYING TO SAVE IT.
[01:35:02]
SHANNON AND HER STAFF, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES AND ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO WORKED WITH US THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ALISON CHAMBERS I'M A LOCAL PRESERVATION ARCHITECT AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AIA SAN ANTONIO.
WE SUB PORT THE DESIGNATION OF 901NOGALOTI HSU STREET AS A NATIONAL LANDMARK.
IT MEETS AT LEAST SIX OF THE UDC CRITERIA FOR LOCAL DESIGNATION, AND THE CITY HAS DESIGNATED COUNTLESS BUILDINGS FOR MUCH LESS.
IT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY AS ONE OF A GROUP OF 30 HISTORIC GAS STATIONS WORTHY OF LANDMARK DESIGNATION RESULTING FROM THEIR EXHAUSTIVE STUDY OF 1500 STATIONS WITHIN LOOP 410 ALONE.
RECENTLY WE'VE SEEN THE DEMOLITION OF SEVERAL HISTORIC GAS STATIONS, WHILE THEY MOURN THEIR LOSS WE DID NOT COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL TORE FOR THIS DESIGNATION.
THIS WAS A REMNANT OF A EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL ICON OF SAN ANTONIO'S AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY.
IT'S TUDOR STYLE ARCHITECTURE IS RARE AMONG EARLY GAS STATIONS AND WAS A BRANDING TOOL FOR THE PURE OIL GAS COMPANY.
IT IS THE ONLY PURE OIL STATION IN SAN ANTONIO.
LOCATED ALONG SAN PEDRO CREEK, THIS PROPERTY IS PERFECT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AND THE GAS STATION, IF RESTORED, WILL BE THE JEWEL OF ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT ON THIS PROPERTY.
AI SAN ANTONIO TE STRONGLY URGES YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LANDMARK DESIGNATION
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MISS CHAMBERS.
>> GOOD MORNING MAYOR, COUNCILMAN, COUNCIL LADIES.
I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 8.
I COME HERE AS A CITIZEN WITH A PASSIONATE PRESERVATION ATTITUDE TOWARD THIS GAS STATION.
AS A PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE AND MEMBER OF THE PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO I TAKE GREAT PRIDE WHEN A RESIDENT OR VISITOR OF OUR CITY THAT I'M TOURING TELLS ME HOW BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING OUR CITY IS.
AT THE SAME TIME MY 45-YEAR MEMBERSHIP OF THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY.
I KNOW I DON'T LOOK THAT OLD BUT I JOINED WHEN I WAS QUITE YOUNG.
I TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT THE SOCIETY'S EFFORTS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE BUILDINGS, HISTORIC BUILDINGS, THAT ATTRACTS ALL OF OUR VISITORS THAT COME HERE.
I THINK WE ALL WILL AGREE THAT OUR CITY IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL AND THIS GAS STATION IS ONE ELEMENT THAT HAS A POTENTIAL FOR JOINING IN ON WHAT CAN BE A WONDERFUL, PRESERVED BUILDING FOR THAT SPOT.
LAST YEAR AT THE POWER OF PRESERVATION GALA SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE BIG WINNER THAT NIGHT AND POPULAR AWARDS WINNER, WAS A GAS STATION THAT HAD BEEN REPURPOSED INTO OFFICES.
COUNCILMAN VIAGRAN JUST SPOKE OF AUTHENTICITY AND LOCAL FLAIR.
YOU DON'T GET MORE AUTHENTIC THAN TAKING A LOCAL HISTORIC BUILDING AND REPURPOSING IT INTO A ECONOMIC GENERATOR FOR A CERTAIN AREA AND THAT GAS STATION CAN BE AN ANCHOR FOR THAT, LIKE MY COLLEAGUES SAID, A WONDERFUL ENTRANCE INTO THE TRAIL HEAD FOR THE RIVER AREA.
THE FATE OF THIS GAS STATION LIES IN YOUR HANDS, COUNCILMAN.
IT LIES WITHIN THE DECISION THAT YOU MAKE TODAY.
SO, I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS THOUGHT.
OR, WILL YOU SAY, I HELPED SAVE THAT BUILDING? AS THE DAUGHTER OF A GAS STATION OWNER OF THREE GAS STATIONS IN THE 1930S, STARTING THEN, ONLY ONE OF THOSE STATIONS ON COMMERCE STREET REMAINS TODAY.
WE NEED TO PROTECT THIS BUILDING AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO -- THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS FREDRICKA KUSHNER,
[01:40:02]
I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS GAS STATION.IN 2012, I WAS ASKED BY THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY TO REACTIVATE A SURVEY ORIGINALLY MADE IN 1983.
THE HISTORIC GAS STATION SURVEY.
BEFORE STARTING THE SURVEY I STUDIED THE INFORMATION GATHERED PREVIOUSLILY COVERED GAS STATIONS BUILT FROM 1910 TO 1940.
IN THE 1983 PHOTOGRAPHS, ONE OF THE STATIONS LOOKED ALMOST LIKE A TUDOR REVIVAL HOUSE FROM THE 1920S OR 30S.
FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED THAT IT HAD ABOUT BUILT IN 1936.
MANY OF THE OLDER STATIONS HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED OR CHANGED ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION BUT THIS STATION HAS SURVIVED AND IT IS UNIQUE IN SAN ANTONIO AND ITS CONNECTION WITH THE PURE OIL COMPANY IN ITS ARCHITECTURE AND IN ITS RETENTION OF MANY ORIGINAL FEATURES.
ITS INCLUSION IN THE TXDOT'S FIELD GUIDE TO GAS STATIONS IN TEXAS, YOU'LL SEE THE TITLE PAGE THERE, IS EVIDENCE OF ITS HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.
IT DESERVES HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
THIS IS ANOTHER PAGE FROM THE FIELD GUIDE TO GAS STATIONS IN TEXAS.
THE ONE ON THE RIGHT IS THE ONE THAT THEY USE TO POINT OUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PURE OIL STATIONS.
THAT IS THE ONE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
IT'S IN THE FIELD GUIDE, THE PHOTOGRAPH THERE.
THEY THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH.
IT DESERVES HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
IT'S ALSO IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAN PEDRO CREEK WITH ALL ITS REDEVELOPMENT WHICH PLACES IT IN AN IDEAL SPOT TO BE REUSED.
ITS DESIGNATION AS HISTORIC LANDMARK WILL SAVE IT FROM DEMOLITION AND SEEN AS A PROMISE THAT SAN ANTONIO VALUES ITS PAST AND INTENDS TO UTILIZE THE PAST TO MAKE ITS FUTURE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU FOR COMING BY.
I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE IS PROJECT.
I'VE TALKED WITH THE COMMUNITY AT LENGTH ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE IT CAN BE A WONDERFUL ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY AS THE SAN PEDRO CREEK DEVELOPED TO THE SOUTH.
THERE'S NOT STRONG SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY TO GO FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
THE COMMUNITY REALLY WANTS THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD TO BE REVITALIZED AND ESPECIALLY IN THE GARDEN AREA.
THAT'S THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION.
I BELIEVE THAT'S AN IDEAL COMMUNITY.
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ESPECIALLY COLLINS GARDENS IS THE IDEAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE IN WALKING DISTANCE YOU HAVE OUR LIBRARY, PARKS, CHURCH, SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE GREAT SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING.
WE HAVE BRAND-NEW H-E-B ON NOGOLITOS.
THEY MAINTAINED ORIGINAL CHARACTER WHEN THEY OPENED THAT.
THERE IS TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRIDE IN THE AREA.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS IS TO SEE THAT AREA REDEVELOPED, AND SO, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DESIRE TO HAVE YOU ALL WORK WITH A DEVELOPER TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT BUILDING GETS PRESERVED.
UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T SUPPORT THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE NEIGHBORS TO SAVE IT.
THAT'S WHERE I TRY TO GET MOST OF MY GUIDANCE ABOUT WHERE THE FEEL WHO LIVE THERE FEEL AND THERE WAS, AFTER MUCH -- REALLY MUCH DISCUSSION, NOT A DESIRE TO SEE IT PRESERVED.
I DO THINK IT HAS A LOT OF VALUE.
I THINK IF A DEVELOPER CAN BE CREATIVE, THEY CAN SAVE IT.
ROB, IF YOU COULD COME UP SO I CAN ASK YOU A COUPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE ENTIRE PEACE OF PROPERTY BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S LISTED SHOWS MULTIPLE ADDRESSES, BUT BECAUSE IT'S ON A CORNER.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT ACREAGE, BUT SO, IF YOU -- OF COURSE YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE SITE.
THE GAS STATION ON THE CORNER.
THE SPLASH BAR, THE QUANSUT HUT AND A LITTLE UNDEVELOPED BUT NONE OF THE STRUCTURES IN ANY KIND OF GOOD SHAPE.
WE ULTIMATELY WOULD SEE THIS BE REDEVELOPED TO A MIXED USE I THINK IS MOST APPROPRIATE.
[01:45:01]
GOOD QUESTION.THE PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY ZONED FOR THE MOST PART INDUSTRIAL I-1 ZONING WHICH ISN'T CONDUCIVE.
AT SOME POINT WE'LL COME BACK AND WANT TO REZONE THE PROPERTY FOR MIXED USE, I THINK IS MOST APPROPRIATE.
SO, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCORPORATE THE GAS STATION INTO A NEW MIXED USE? ABSOLUTELY, IS OUR CHALLENGE WITH EVERYTHING A HISTORIC DESIGNATION ON IT RIGHT NOW.
>> GONZALES: I HOPE THAT'S THE CASE.
IT COULD BE INCORPORATED BECAUSE YOU CAN ENVISION THAT BEING PART OF WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE IDEAL COMMUNITY BY HAVING A NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE SHOP OR SANDWICH SHOP AND WE'VE SEEN THAT IN A COUPLE AREAS AROUND KING WILLIAM AND I THINK THIS WOULD LEND ITSELF TO THAT SAME DESIGNATION OR, RATHER, USE.
AND THEN,EN SHAEN, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND I MENTIONED THIS YESTERDAY IN OUR ARTS AND CULTURE MEETING, WAS ABOUT SORT OF THE LACK OF FUNDING.
ONE THING THAT WE DO VALUE PRESERVATION IN THIS CITY.
I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT THAT MAKES OUR CITY SO UNIQUE.
WE TALK ABOUT AUTHENTICITY AND YET WE DON'T REALLY PUT ANY MONEY BEHIND IT.
AND SO, I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING BUT I KNOW THAT THE COLLINS GARDEN NEIGHBORHOOD FOLKS SAID IT'S BEEN VACANT FOR A LONG TIME.
I SUSPECT IT'S BEEN VACANT BECAUSE IT'S NOT USABLE.
AND SO AGAIN, WE GO BACK TO THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING A MORTGAGE AND GETTING INVESTMENT ON A BUILDING THAT YOU CANNOT -- WELL, YOU CAN'T GET A MORTGAGE IF THE BUILDING IS NOT UP TO CODE AND WE DON'T PUT ANY MONEY TOWARDS BRINGING BUILDINGS UP TO CODE IF THEY ARE DESIGNATED OR NOT DESIGNATED.
WE HAVE ASSESSED THE PROPERTY.
AND IT ACTUALLY IS IN RELATIVELY GOOD CONDITION MATERIALLY.
WE'VE BEEN INSIDE AND IT IS IN RELATIVELY GOOD CONDITION, BUT OF COURSE ANY TIME A BUILDING IS VACANT IT DOES DETERIORATE OVER TIME.
SO THERE WOULD BE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IF THE BUILDING WERE REUSED.
IN TERMS OF ASSISTANCE, REALLY THE PRIMARY INCENTIVES AVAILABLE FOR SHORT PRESERVATION ARE IN THE FORM OF TAX CREDITS OR -- TAX INCENTIVES.
THERE ARE, LIKE THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY DOES ADMINISTER A PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM
>> GONZALES: WHAT DOES THAT GRANT PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?
>> GONZALES: USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE, THERE'S A SMALL FOOTPRINT, 800 SQUARE FEET.
>> GONZALES: WHAT TYPE OF FUND SOMETHING AVAILABLE FOR THAT.
>> IT DEPENDS WHAT THE STRUCTURE IS BEING USED FOR.
IT'S POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR CITY INCIDENTS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS AND ALSO OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE CANCERATION SOCIETY BUT I THINK IT'S A CANDIDATE FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM AS WELL.
>> GONZALES: I WONDER IF SOMEONE IN THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY TELL ME ABOUT THE GRANT PROGRAM AND WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? THIS IS REALLY WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE MISSING LINK, IS THAT IF WE WANT TO SAVE HISTORIC BUILDINGS WHICH I THINK WE SHOULD BUT WE DON'T PUT ANY HONEY BEHIND IT, THEN WE JUST PUT PEOPLE AT A DISADVANTAGE.
>> ONE FROM THE ADVANTAGES SHANON WAS TALKING ABOUT.
WE WENT TO WASHINGTON TO LOBBY FOR THAT.
IT WOULD NEED HISTORIC DESIGNATION, AND BE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
WE ALSO, FOR OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY GRANT PROGRAM DO PROVIDE MONEYS THAT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT BUT THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE.
>> GONZALES: SO THIS ONE DOESN'T QUALIFY.
>> GONZALES: SO, JUST FOR A SMALL BUILDING LIKE THIS, WE KNOW JUST DOING THE NUMBERS EVEN TO BRING IT UP TO CODE WHAT IT COSTS AND KEEP HISTORICAL ELEMENTS AND BRING IT, REGARDLESS OF THE USE, MINIMUM $500,000.
>> THAT'S WHY I SAID THE TAX CREDITS WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THIS IS COMPOSED, SUCH A SMALL PORTION OF THAT LOT, I THINK IT WOULD BE EASY FOR SOMEONE WHO -- AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE PEOPLE THAT WE BING -- THAT WERE RECIPIENTS AT THE AWARD PROGRAM LAST NIGHT.
THEY COME IN, THEY REHABILITATE ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES, THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.
THEY KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH THE REST OF THE PROPERTY.
THERE ARE BUILDING THERE THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR DESIGNATION, AND SO THEY ARE NON-CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURES.
SO, THERE'S A HUGE SECTION OF THAT PROPERTY THAT CAN BE BUILT
[01:50:02]
WITHOUT HAVING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE GAS STATION, THEN YOU CAN HAVE THAT -- WORK ON THAT SEPARATELY.>> GONZALES: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS, BECAUSE WHAT I REALLY THINK WE NEED IS SOME MECHANISM TO DEDICATE MORE FUNDING TOWARDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION, IF WE ARE TO DESIGNATE THEM, WE NEED TO HAVE A POOL OF MONEY TO HELP INTERESTED PARTIES KEEP THAT HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
SO I'M GOING TO DENY THE MOTION FOR HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION.
ROB, YOU MADE SOME COMMENTS, HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THOSE COMMENTS ARE HELD TO A CERTAIN STANDARD, THAT THERE WON'T BE A DEMOLITION FOR AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS, THAT YOU ACT IN GOOD FAITH TO SELL IT TO SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO RESTORE IT AND AGAIN IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY.
THE SAME PERSON WHO BUILT IT IS SELLING IT SO IT HASN'T TRADED HANDS.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT WASN'T NECESSARILY THE PERSON WHO HELD THE PROPERTY HOPING THAT THE VALUES WOULD INCREASE AND THAT SORT OF THING.
IT'S THE INDIVIDUAL -- IT'S THE SAME PERSON, SO, HOW CAN I ENSURE THAT --
>> GREAT QUESTION, COUNCILWOMAN.
AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT FIVE MONTH, YOU GOT OUR LETTER OF COMMITMENT.
YOU ALL SEE ME EVERY DAY, YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME.
WE'LL LOOK BEYOND THAT FIVE MONTHS.
WHAT WE CAN DO TO EXTEND ANY PERMITTING OR TITLE THAT IS WE NEED, IF SOMEONE PUTS THE PROPERTY UNDER CONTRACT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND SAYS I WANT TO BUY THE PROPERTY, I WANT TO SAVE THAT GAS STATION, WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY CAN DO THAT AND OUR CLIENT WOULD NOT KNOCK DOWN THE GAS STATION DURING THAT PERIOD.
SO I'LL BE WORKING WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
I HOPE IN THE MEANWHILE WE AS A CITY CAN LOOK TO FUNDING TO CONNECT TO HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS.
ONE PROBLEM WE'VE HAD ESPECIALLY ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE IS DESIGNATING BUILDING AND NOT PUTTING FUNDING BEHIND THEM.
WE DESIGNATED THOSE BUILDINGS WHEN I FIRST CAME IN OFFICE FIVE YEARS AGO AND THERE'S BEEN NO MOVEMENT AND NO REAL DESIRE TO SAVE THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE -- I MEAN, THERE'S THAT VERY BASIC THING OF NOT EVERYTHING CLEAR TITLES AND THAT WAS ALSO HOW THEY GOT DESIGNATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOBODY TO SPEAK UP FOR THEM.
THE STAFF WENT THROUGH A PROCESS, AND RECOMMENDED A COUPLE OF BUILDINGS FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION, WE DESIGNATED THEM BUT THERE'S STILL NO FUNDING AVAILABLE TO DO IMPROVEMENTS ON THEM.
WE KNOW THERE'S CITY INCENTIVES.
I CAN ENVISION THIS BEING A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION FOR A MIXED INCOME HOUSING, PLUS RETAIL, AND HAVING THAT LITTLE SPOT THERE FOR A COFFEE SHOP OR A VARIETY OF MAYBE SANDWICH SHOP, OR TACOS OR WHATEVER.
SO, I'M GOING TO JUST ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO DO THAT AND FOR THE CITY TO LOOK FOR SOME FUNDING TO HELP WITH THAT.
AND WOULD THAT, I'LL MOTION TO DENY THE --
>> COUNCIL, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS NOT JUST FOR THIS PROPERTY BUT OTHER PROPERTIES.
FINDING THE FUNDING TO RESTORE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE ON THIS ISSUE.
>> GONZALES: MOTION FOR DENIAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR DENIAL ON ITEM NUMBER 26.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ALMOST COINCIDENTALLY, IS NOT JUST MONEY, IT'S REALLY TIME.
WE'RE TRYING TO BUY TIME AND IN MANY CASES A LOT OF THESE BUILDINGS ARE LIVING ON BORROWED TIME.
SHANON, I GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS.
TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS PROCESS.
WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT FIVE MONTHS IS NOT A VERY LONG TIME.
AND I CERTAINLY -- I CONSIDER THIS A WORTHY STRUCTURE.
AS FAR AS THE DEMOLITION PERMIT.
>> PERMITS ARE TYPICALLY VALID FOR SIX MONTHS AND CAN BE EXTENDED IF NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN.
SO, POTENTIALLY, IF -- EVEN IF THEY WERE ISSUED THE DEMOLITION PERMIT TOWARDS THE END OF THAT PERIOD THEY COULD BE GRANTED AN EXTENSION SO THEN IT WOULD ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME BEFORE THEY HAD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ACTUAL
[01:55:02]
DEMOLITION.AND THAT WOULD BE -- YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD, OF COURSE, BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE BUILDING TO DO THAT, BECAUSE THEN WHOEVER ULTIMATELY PURCHASES THE SITE.
WE THINK BASED ON INTEREST WE'VE HEARD THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE IT COULD BE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN REUSING THE BUILDING AS OPPOSED TO DEMOLISHING IT.
>> TREVINO: YOU AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF THAT AS WELL AND KNOW THERE IS THAT INTEREST.
WHAT CONCERNS ME, FIVE MONTHS IS NOT REALLY ENOUGH TIME TO KIND OF LET THOSE PLANS OR NEGOTIATIONS KIND OF GEL.
WHEN WE VOTED TO ALLOCATE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO -- EXPLAIN TO US HOW WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.
>> TREVINO: MAYBE WE SHOULD GET SOMEONE ELSE.
>> I AM NOT SURE WHERE THAT FUNDING CAME FROM.
>> TREVINO: THE FUNDING FOR --
>> LET ME CHECK COUNCIL MEMBER, AND --
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT BECAUSE I THINK CERTAINLY, I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES POINTING OUT THERE IS A NEED FOR FUNDING, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE DO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOMETHING WORK AND MONEY IS AN ISSUE AND WE WANT TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT CAN SUPPORT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH ACTUAL FUNDING.
I THINK THE FACT IS WE DID ALLOCATE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO LARAMAS WITH HALF MILLION DOLLAR MATCH FROM THE COUNTY.
ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS DEEMED CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT, NOT ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT, I'M ASKING FOR SOME TIME TO LAY OUT A ROAD MAP IN CONCERT AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY, THE OWNERSHIP, THE COUNCILWOMAN'S OFFICE, TO TRY TO CREATE A ROAD MAP THAT CAN HELP US GET THERE BECAUSE I THINK WE'VE DEMONSTRATED WE CAN FIND WAY, FIND RESOURCES.
WE NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT THESE KIND OF ISSUES NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE ONE HAVE THE MOST ROBUST OFFICES OF HISTORIC RESERVATION DEPARTMENTS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS BECAUSE OF HOW MANY OF THESE CASES YOU "S" SO I GUESS I'M ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO RECONSIDER THE ACTION TODAY BECAUSE MY CONCERN, FIVE MONTHS COULD PROVIDE A DEATH NAIL TO THIS AND SET A BAD EXAMPLE FOR OTHER HISTORIC PRESERVATIONS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR CITY.
I'M CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF THE PROPERTY OWNER, BUT I THINK -- I THINK WE JUST NEED MORE TIME TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER.
I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL PARTIES SPECIFICALLY COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES'S OFFICE TO FIND A WAY FORWARD.
IT IS AN INCREDIBLE LOCATION THAT HAS SEEN A HUGE REVITALIZATION.
YOU KNOW, I FORESEE MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN REALLY BENEFIT EVERYBODY AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR WHAT OUR VALUES ARE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
OUR VALUES ARE STEEPED IN OUR HISTORY AND OUR CULTURE AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES I THINK WE CAN GET THERE AND SO I WOULD JUST -- I WON'T BE SUPPORTING DENYING THE MOTION TO DENY I WILL SUPPORT ANY MOVE TO TRY TO EXTEND SOME TIME TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION AND TRY TO BRING ALL PARTIES TOGETHER TO SEE HOW WE CAN FIND A RESOLUTION AND A WAY FORWARD.
>>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN? 467 THANK YOU.
I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, SHANON.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES FOR HER WORK BECAUSE IT'S A BALANCING ACT.
BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE THE OWNER, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IS THERE.
AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF
[02:00:01]
AN HISTORIC DESIGNATION.THAT'S THE OWNER AND THE COMMUNITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THAT IN THIS AREA, BUT WE KNOW IN SAN ANTONIO IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE, TO REVITALIZE AND UTILIZE OUR GREAT STORY-TELLING THAT WE HAVE IN THIS CITY AND THAT IS THE BALANCE, TOO.
I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS LOCATION, THOUGH.
IT IS RIGHT OFF THE WEST SIDE CREEK.
SO, WHAT KIND OF OVERLAYS AND HITE RESTRICTIONS IN THIS AREA?
>> THAT IS SOMETHING ID VERY TO LOOK INTO.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HEIGHT LIP STATIONS ARE.
>> VIAGRAN: I KNOW IT'S ZONED DESIRABLE WHICH GIVE HE'S HUGE POINTS OF PAUSE, IS THERE AN OVERLAY ON THE CREEK THAT WOULD HAVE --
THE SAN PEDRO CREEK, IN SAN ANTONIO WE HAVE RIVER DISTRICTS BUT THIS IS NOT DEL RIO, THIS IS NEXT TO GIRLS AND BOYS CLUB.
>> VIAGRAN: ROB, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU SPECIFICALLY.
WHY IS IT FIVE MONTHS, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED?
SHANON ADDRESSED THIS IN HER COMMENTS.
THE DEMOLITION PERMIT HAS A LIFE OF SIX MONTHS.
WHAT I HATE TO DO, TELL OUR CLIENTS MAKE IT NINE MONTHS AND THE DEMOLITION PERMIT EXPIRES AND THERE'S NO REASONABLE PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT.
NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THE PROPERTY.
FILE A NEW DEMOLITION PERMIT AND WE START THIS PROCESS OVER AGAIN.
THERE'S ANOTHER REQUEST DESIGNATING IT SIX MONTHS FROM NOW.
SHANNON ADDRESSED THAT TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE DEMOLITION PERMIT.
YOU CAN KEEP THAT ALIVE THROUGH DESIGNATION PERMITS.
>> VIAGRAN: I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
DO YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO ALREADY WANTS TO BUY THE PROPERTY AND DEMOLISH IT?
>> VIAGRAN: IS THAT WHY YOU'RE PUTTING THE PERMIT --
>> VIAGRAN: ARE YOU PUTTING THE PERMIT IN PLACE?
>> THE PERMIT WAS SUBMITTED IN OCTOBER.
BY MARIA'S DAUGHTER BACK IN OCTOBER.
THERE'S AN EXISTING PERMIT PENDING.
THANK YOU FOR THAT MISSING POINT FOR ME RIGHT NOW.
I THINK -- I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE -- ABSOLUTELY, I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.
THIS GAS STATION IT DOES TELL THE STORY OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, BUT I DO THIN PART OF THE IMPORTANT STORY OF TELLING TOO IS THE COMMUNITY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT GROWS UP IN AND AROUND THE AREA.
WE HAVE OUR TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLES.
SO WHERE IS THE BEST WAY TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE AND I THINK PROBLEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THIS LETTER INTO THE RECORD.
I WANT TO PUT THIS LETTER INTO THE RECORD OF WHATEVER DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE HERE BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE -- I KNOW THAT COUNCIL TREVINO SAID HE'S GOING TO WORK WITH THEM AND I THINK THIS IS A WAY TO JUST LIGHT A FIRE UNDER YOU, ROB, AND YOUR AREA, BUT IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD VISION TOGETHER WHAT IS IT THAT TELLS THE STORY AND WHERE ARE IMAGES AND WHERE ARE HISTORIES, GET THE OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING DYNAMIC AND REAL.
IF IT NEEDS TO BE A FIVE MONTH TIME PERIOD LET'S MAKE IT A FIVE MONTH TIME PERIOD.
LET'S GET EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER AND NOT JUST WAIT AND WAIT, BUT LET'S START THE PROCESS AND THAT COULD INCLUDE FINING THE RIGHT PERSON TO MAKE SURE THEY RESTORE AND REVITALIZE THIS GAS STATION, AND I WANT TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN TRYING TO DO THE BALANCE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT VERY WELL HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.
>> NEXT WE HAVE COUNCILMAN PELAEZ TO SPEAK.
>> PELAEZ: SO IF THE SECOND OPTION IS TO MOVE IT.
ROB, THE FIRST OPTION IS TO SELL IT.
THE SECOND OPTION IS TO MOVE IT? WALK ME THROUGH THAT.
>> I THINK EVERYONE AGREES THE MOST OPTIMAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO SELL THE PROPERTY TO SOMEONE WHO WILL REZONE IT, REDEVELOP IT AND PRESERVE THE GAS STATION.
SO THE ALTERNATIVE, SINCE WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN OFFER TO DO THAT, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH FOLKS THAT CAN DO THAT.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND SOMEONE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
NOT, THE BACK-UP, THE FALL-BACK IS TALK THE STRUCTURE AND MOVE IT OFF THE PROPERTY.
[02:05:01]
SO THE STRUGGLE IS TO PRESERVE BUILDINGS OR TO PRESERVE BUILDINGS ON THAT SPOT, RIGHT? I MEAN, IF SOMEBODY WERE GOING TO KNOCK IT DOWN OR FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE IT TO WHERE IT'S AN UNRECOGNIZABLE STRUCTURE, THAT WOULD BREAK MY HEART.
I'M LOOKING AT IT AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
SO WHAT I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING IS, IS THE SPOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE BUILDING ITSELF? THAT'S A CONVERSATION I'D LOVE TO HAVE AT SOME POINT.
NOT TODAY, RIGHT, BECAUSE THIS IS A MUCH LARGER TOPIC.
BECAUSE THEN THE QUESTION THAT I'M ASKED ON MY SIDE OF TOWN DESPITE THE FACT I THINK I ONLY GOT ONE HISTORIC BUILDING DESIGNATED ON MY SIDE OF TOWN, IS -- DOES EVERY OLD BUILDING MEAN THAT IT'S HISTORIC, OR, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CERTAIN CRITERIA THAT, BOXES THAT WE NEED TO CHECK OFF AND I IMAGINE YOU GOT LOTS OF CRITERIA, RIGHT? SO MY REQUEST FOR THE FUTURE IS, IF WE ALREADY HAVE NOT DONE SO, IS TO COMPILE A LIST, A WATCH LIST, RIGHT, OF ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES, PUBLISH THAT LIST, RIGHT, WORK WITH OUR CONSERVATION SOCIETY ON WHICH PLACES ARE IMPORTANT, THAT HAVEN'T YET GOTTEN THAT DESIGNATION, SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYE ON, RIGHT, AS THEY BECOME OLDER AND OLDER, AND AS THERE ARE FEWER AND FEWER OF THOSE EXAMPLES OF BUILDINGS WITH THOSE HISTORIC ELMS, BECAUSE WHEN WE DO THAT, I THINK WHAT WE'LL DO, WE'LL PUT THOSE BUILDINGS ON THE PUBLIC RADAR, RIGHT, AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF A SMART ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY, RIGHT? SO WE'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WAY BEFORE THEY COME UP TO THE DAIS.
SO MY QUESTION IS, AND THIS IS ONE I'M HOPING YOU CAN ANSWER, DO WE HAVE SUCH A WATCH LIST?
WE DON'T CALL IT A WATCH LIST, BUT WE DEFINITELY DO, AND IN THIS CASE, THIS BUILDING, AS MISS KUSHNER MENTIONED WAS IDENTIFIED MANY YEARS AS SIGNIFICANT AND SO -- AND WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT BUILDINGS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE VACANT BUILDING PROGRAM, THOSE -- ALL OF THOSE VACANT BUILDINGS THAT ARE REGISTERED IN THE PROGRAM ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE AND ALSO THROUGH OUR SCOUT SA INITIATIVE, WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY PROPERTIES THAT ARE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT, WHETHER ARCHITECTURALLY OR CULTURALLY AND REALLY WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THAT INTANGIBLE HERITAGE THAT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN MENTIONED SO WE DO HAVE A CONSTANT NEED AND DESIRE TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT BUILDINGS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ROB, PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR OWNER THAT SHOULD THIS PROPERTY GET SOLD AND SHOULD THIS COUNCIL NOT APPROVE THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION, THAT, GOSH, IT WOULD BE A REAL BETRAYAL OF OUR TRUST IF, YOU KNOW, IT TURNS INTO A SUBWAY SANDWICH SHOP OR A PAYDAY LENDER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, RIGHT? THE PEOPLE WHO DO SELL THESE PROPERTIES NEED TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT, THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY, RIGHT? YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND PUTTING ANYTHING THERE, RIGHT? SO MY ONLY REQUEST WOULD BOO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU PLEASE PASS ALONG OUR REQUEST THAT THEY REALLY KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT? THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES HERE TO DO SOMETHING GREAT AND SHIRLEY GONZALES' DISTRICT DESERVES GREAT.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, NEXT WE HAVE COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> PERRY: WE NEED A LITTLE LEAVITT HERE.
[02:10:02]
I GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.WE'VE GOT A COMMITTEE, HISTORIC COMMITTEE THAT LOOKS AT THESE KINDS OF THING, RIGHT?
>> HISTORIC AND DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION, YES.
>> PERRY: WHAT IS THEIR POSITION ON THIS FINDING OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE PROPERTY.
THEY DID RECOMMEND DESIGNATION, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS AT THIS POINT.
THE ACTION TODAY IS A RESOLUTION TO INITIATE THE REZONING PROCESS, SO IT ACTUALLY, IF IT WERE APPROVED, IT ACTUALLY WOULDN'T DESIGNATE THE BUILDING, IT WOULD REFER IT TO THE ZONING COMMISSION FOR RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE DESIGNATION AND THEN IT COULD COME BACK TO CITY COUPE SILL FOR DESIGNATION, THE ACTUAL DESIGNATION WOULD BE A REZONING IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN.
>> PERRY: I THINK I NEED A CHART ON THAT.
YOU SPOKE WAY TOO FAST FOR ME.
CAN YOU SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
I MEAN, I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION, IF WE WANT TO PULL UP THE SLIDE THAT SHOWS THAT PROCESS.
>> I DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE THING, BUT I I WILL SW YOU WHERE IT SAYS -- SO BASICALLY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED AT THIS POINT, IS THE DEMOLITION APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED AND THE REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE WAS SUBMITTED BY THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY.
THAT WENT TO HGRC AND HGRC ISSUED A FINDING OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE WHICH IS HOW A HISTORIC KDESIGNATION STARTED BECAUSE THE OWNER IS NOT IN SUPPORT OF THE DESIGNATION IT REQUIRES DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL WHICH IS THE RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA IN ORDER FOR US TO TAKE SOMETHING TO THE ZONING COMMISSION.
IF THE RESOLUTION WAS DENIED TODAY THAT ENDS THE DESIGNATION PROCESS.
IF THE RESOLUTION WERE APPROVED THEN THE DESIGNATION PROCESS WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND ZONING COMMISSION WOULD RECONSIDER THE REZONING REQUEST.
>> PERRY: SO BOTH THE COMMITTEE AND YOU RECOMMEND APPROVAL
THIS IS A CLASSIC CASE, AND MISS BEVIN, YOU REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON THE BUILDING STANDARDS BOARD, YOU KNOW, OF OWNERSHIP, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN IN NEGLECTED IN DECAY THAT NEED REPAIR, THAT NEED A LOT OF TENDER LOVING CARE TO BRING THEM BACK UP TO STANDARD.
SO EVERYTHING SAID THAT, MISS BEVIN, I GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO MONEY.
REALLY THAT'S WHAT WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY AND BEING ABLE TO RESTORE THINGS OR DEVELOP THINGS OR KNOCK THEM DOWN, AND LET SOMETHING ELSE BE DEVELOPED, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.
NOW, AND I HAD THIS QUESTION AT THE BUILDING STANDARDS BOARD AS WELL.
IS THERE MONEY AVAILABLE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE, THAT COULD BE USED TO DO WHAT WE'RE -- WHAT WE SHOULD DO FOR THIS BUILDING HERE AS FAR AS REDEVELOPMENTING OR PURCHASING AND REDEVELOPING, THAT KIND OF THING?
>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, BUT I WANT TO PUT OUT THERE ALSO, IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE VESTED IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.
SO, IF THEY ARE WILLING TO, AND ALSO HAVE THOSE STRUCTURES ON THE PROPERTY THAT ARE NON-CONFORMING, SO THOSE OTHER ONES COULD COME DOWN, SO YOU HAVE A HUGE PIECE OF PROPERTY IN A REALLY GREAT LOCATION THAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE MIXED USE.
I UNDERSTAND BOTH OF YOUR POINTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT I ALSO FEEL SO STRONGLY THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAY NOT BE AWARE OF ALL OF THE POTENTIAL.
YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES WHERE DEVELOPERS AND BUI BUILDERS, PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION, HAVE GONE IN AND REPURPOSED THE ENTIRE PLACE.
SO, THEY MAY BE WORKING ON THE GAS STATION AT A SEPARATE TIME WITH IT.
THEY'RE ALSO WORKING ON SOMETHING NEW, THAT IS MIXED USE THAT WOULD BE VIABLE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE, YOU NOW, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT SOME OF THE
[02:15:01]
ONES WHERE THE CITY SPENT THE MONEY AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO I GET THAT.BUT I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION, THAT THERE IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY, AND IN THE SAME TIME, IF YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO GO IN AND PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY, AND THAT WAS WHAT I FELT LIKE WE WERE CHARGED WITH.
TO BEGIN WITH, IS TO GET PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS, THAT HAVE THE INTEREST, AND GET THEM TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY, THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO.
AND WHY SEEM TO HAVE SOME MISCOMMUNICATION ABOUT WHO THEY NEEDED TO CONTACT, SO THAT MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2 AND 8, BUT I HAVE EIGHT NAMES HERE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED.
IF IT'S JUST THE ONE BUILDING ON ONE LOT, THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
ALSO, IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO BUILD A NEW STRUCTURE, THAT WOULD ALSO ALLOW THEM TIME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NATIONAL REGISTER DESIGNATION THAT THEN ENABLES THEM TO GET 45 PERCENT TAX CREDITS FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SHOULD IT QUALIFY.
THAT'S THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING SOMETHING THAT ALREADY MEETS THE CRITERIA.
SO JUST MOVE IT FORWARD TO GET THAT ADDITIONAL DESIGNATION.
AND THEN YOU CAN APPLY FOR THOSE TAX CREDITS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALIZE HOW MANY OF THE HOTELS AND THE -- EVEN MISSION ESPADA JUST RECEIVED HISTORIC TAX CREDITS.
THE CROCKETT, THE GUNNER, THE MENGER, THE ST. ANTHONY WAS LIKE $1 MILLION.
IF YOU LOOK ONLINE AT THC'S WEBSITE AND LOOK AT THE REIMBURSEMENT THESE PEOPLE GOT FOR HISTORIC TAX CREDITS FROM THE STATE AND FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S HUGE.
BUT LET THEM GO AHEAD AFTER THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND DO SOMETHING GREAT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, FOR THAT PROPERTY.
BUT YOU NEED TO LET THE NEIGHBORHOOD KNOW.
YOU KNOW HOW THE NEIGHBORS USED TO COME AND SPEAK ABOUT THIS DERELICT BUILDING AND THEY DON'T WANT VAGRANTS THERE.
THEY DON'T WANT JUST IT TO SIT EMPTY.
BUT YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM THERE'S A VISION.
BUT THIS THING HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR 20 YEARS VACANT.
WHERE HAS EVERYBODY BEEN IN THE MEANTIME TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING DONE?
>> I HAVE SAT IN MANY MEETINGS AND WE HAVE SEEN BUILDINGS GO DOWN FOR THE SAME THING, AND IT'S ONE OF OUR CHARGES.
WE HAVE INITIATED MEETINGS WITH THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS -- NOT ALL PROPERTIES QUALIFY FOR HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
BUT TO TRY TO TELL THEM IT'S UP TO THEM TO REALLY NOTIFY, TO FIND OUT, TO WORK -- ESPECIALLY IN GOVERNMENT HILL, TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE NEIGHBORS.
IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY DOESN'T HAVE ANY DESCENDENTS OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO GO DOWN, BE DEMOLISHED THAT YOU DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, DO SOMETHING NOW.
WE HAVE LOST SOME GREAT BUILDINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
THEY ALL KNEW THE HISTORY AND ALL.
BUT I THINK OUR ORIGINAL CHARGE WAS TO NEGOTIATE TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE PROPERTY AND DOING SOMETHING VIABLE WITH THE PROPERTY.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
BUT WE FEEL LIKE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT ONE BUILDING.
IF WE CAN ACCOMPLISH BOTH THINGS, I THINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> PERRY: WELL, I GUESS DOESN'T THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE TO DO THIS KIND OF THING?
THE BUILDING GRANTS THAT WE HAVE WE USUALLY RUN AROUND $80,000.
AND WE NORMALLY GIVE ABOUT TEN GRANTS OR SO, SO WE'RE NOT TALKING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY.
BUT I GUESS I THINK ABOUT THIS.
WE GOT FIESTA COMING UP AND THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY RUNS NIOSA.
>> PERRY: I KNOW THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND ALL THAT, BUT SHOULDN'T Y'ALL THINK ABOUT MAYBE MAKING A BIGGER POT OF MONEY OVER HERE AND MAKING THIS POT OF MONEY A LITTLE BIT SMALLER TO DO THIS KIND OF THING?
>> YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT NIOSA FUND -- PATTY HAS BEEN CHAIR OF NIOSA FOR TWO YEARS SO SHE CAN PROBABLY BETTER ADDRESS THAT.
WE GIVE THE MONEY, $500,000 A YEAR, THAT GOES BACK INTO THE UPGRADE OF LA VILLITA AND REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF LA VILLITA FROM OUR GROSS, OKAY? SO, YES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO WITH THAT MONEY THAT GOES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SOCIETY, BUT IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO HAVE GRANT MONEY.
BUT BY THE TIME, YOU KNOW, IT MAY SOUND REALLY WONDERFUL.
$2 MILLION OR WHATEVER, BUT A CHUNK GOES BACK TO THE CITY.
AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL THE VENDORS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I KNOW THIS IS WAY OFF TOPIC BUT IT IS OUR MAJOR FUNDRAISER AND EDUCATION.
>> PERRY: I'M JUST LOOKING AT GLOBALLY.
>> WE TRY TO PULL AS MUCH MONEY
[02:20:02]
AS WE CAN TO TRY TO GIVE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY.I WISH WE HAD MORE MONEY TO DO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S OUR MISSION.
BUT HERE AGAIN IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND STILL ALLOW A DEVELOPER TO DO SOMETHING GREAT WITH THE REST OF THAT PROPERTY AND WORK ON THE OTHER AT THE SAME TIME.
>> PERRY: AGAIN, IT'S ONE OF THOSE PROPERTY RIGHTS TYPE OF THING AND --
>> I HAVE BEEN HERE MANY TIMES AND HEARD THAT.
BUT IF SHE WANTS TO SELL IT, THEN SELL IT AND GET THE MONEY, TAKE CARE OF HER HEALTH, ET CETERA.
>> PERRY: THANK YOU, MS. BEVIN.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
SHERYL, YOU HAD SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO ADD?
>> SCULLEY: JUST TO ANSWER COUNCILMAN TREVINO'S QUESTION ON THE FUNDING FOR THE LERMAS BUILDING, THAT WAS A BUDGET ITEM IN FISCAL YEAR 2016.
WE DISCUSSED ADDING THAT TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET IN THE FINAL DAYS OF BUDGET ADOPTION.
AND WE RECOMMENDED THAT THAT COME FROM CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
WE HAD A SMALL AMOUNT OF CAPACITY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHIN OUR CAPITAL BUDGET THROUGH C OF OS.
SO THE COUNCIL APPROVED $500,000 OF C OF OS TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THAT PROJECT.
AND I'M TOLD THAT BEXAR COUNTY MATCHED THE FUNDING LAST FISCAL YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $1 MILLION.
THE TOTAL PROJECT COST IS $2.2 MILLION, AND I'M UNCERTAIN AS TO WHERE THE BALANCE OF THAT IS COMING FROM.
BUT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY EACH CONTRIBUTED $500,000 TOWARD THAT PROJECT AS A BUDGET ITEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR WEIGHING IN ON THIS AND EVERYBODY FOR SITTING HERE AND YOUR EFFORTS.
YOU KNOW, MY HEART WANTS TO SEE THIS PROPERTY DEVELOPED WITH THE GAS STATION IN PLACE.
THE WILL OF THE COMMUNITY IS THAT WE JUST WANT TO SEE THE PROPERTY DEVELOPED, AND THAT'S REALLY ALL THE FEEDBACK WE'VE GOT.
WE'RE TIRED OF OLD VACANT BUILDINGS.
WE ARE TIRED OF SEEING THINGS DETERIORATE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
MANY OF THE DEALS HAVE FALLEN THROUGH, LIKE LONE STAR, WHICH THE WHOLE CITY WAS IN GREAT ANTICIPATION OF, AND THAT DEAL HAS GONE SOUTH FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.
AND WE JUST CONTINUE TO SEE PROJECTS STARTED AND THEN NOT COMPLETED.
IT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF SOME HISTORIC DESIGN EXPENSES.
AND SO I'M GETTING THE VIBE FROM MY COLLEAGUES THAT PERHAPS THERE REALLY IS A DESIRE TO PUT SOME FUNDING TOWARDS RESTORING HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND THIS COULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE DO THAT WHEN WE KNOW THAT THERE IS, PERHAPS, A POTENTIAL BUYER WHO JUST DOESN'T WANT TO COMMIT FULLY BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THE EXPENSE OF RESTORING BUILDINGS LIKE THIS ONE.
SO, AS I MENTIONED EARLY ON, MY GUESS IS TO RESTORE A BUILDING LIKE THIS ONE IS PROBABLY IN THE $500,000 RANGE JUST TO GET IT UP TO CODE.
SO I DON'T KNOW THAT FOR A FACT BUT I JUST KNOW THAT GIVEN SOME OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WE'VE DONE THAT'S AN ACCURATE NUMBER.
SO I MOTION TO DENY BUT, MAYOR, IF I COULD PLEASE MOTION TO AMEND THAT TO GIVE AN ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS TO SEE HOW WE FIND RESOURCES, NOT JUST FOR THIS ONE BUT FOR OTHERS IN THE FUTURE, IF WE'RE GOING TO REQUIRE BUILDINGS TO BE SAVED THAT WE PUT A FUNDING REQUEST ON THAT.
I MEAN, IF IT'S THE CITY'S ACTION TO DESIGNATE IT THEN IT SHOULD ALSO BE THE CITY'S CHARGE TO FIND FUNDING TO DO THAT.
SO IF I COULD AMEND MY MOTION FOR SIX MONTHS.
I HAVE NOT GOTTEN PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE I FELT THAT THERE WAS VERY POSITIVE MOVEMENT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN WITHOUT TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE.
IT SHOULD BE NEGOTIATED PRIVATELY.
BUT JUST GIVEN THE DESIRE OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SEE SOME ACTION HERE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE SAN PEDRO CREEK PROJECT IS MOVING.
THAT'S ALREADY $150 MILLION PROJECT COMING.
[02:25:02]
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, GIVEN THE REST OF THE SAN PEDRO CREEK PART THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE.WE KNOW THAT THE COLLINS GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD IS, AS I MENTIONED, AN IDEAL COMMUNITY AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME REVITALIZATION AROUND THE ST. HENRY'S AREA.
AND SO THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR A LIVELY DISCUSSION AND I'LL WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER AND MY COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A QUALITY PRODUCT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND MY MOTION TO DELAY FOR SIX MORE MONTHS.
COUNCILWOMAN, IF I COULD RECOMMEND, I THINK I'M HEARING YOU AND I'LL TRY TO CLARIFY WHAT I'M HEARING.
YOU WANT TO DELAY ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM FOR SIX MONTHS?
>> GONZALES: YES, I WOULD LIKE TO DELAY THE ACTION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD YOU DO THAT? I THINK IT MAY REQUIRE YOU TO WITHDRAW THE ORIGINAL MOTION AND MAKE A NEW ONE TO DELAY THE ITEM.
THE COUNCIL CERTAINLY CAN VOTE TO DELAY IT FOR SIX MONTHS AS THE COUNCILWOMAN IS PROPOSING.
FRANKLY, YOU CAN DO IT EITHER WAY.
BY THE WAY THE COUNCILWOMAN PROPOSED IT OR SHE CAN WITHDRAW IT AND SUBMIT THE SIX MONTHS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SO THE MOTION WOULD BE AMENDED TO DELAY ACTION ON THE DESIGNATION FOR SIX MONTHS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: SO I JUST NEED -- OKAY.
REBECCA, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN SECONDED AND AGREES WITH THE AMENDMENT.
SO THE ITEM WILL COME BACK TO COUNCIL IN SIX MONTHS.
THAT'S WHAT THE MOTION IS ASKING.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WAS GOING TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS BEFORE THE COUNCILWOMAN ADJUSTED HER THING, BUT I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT AND PIGGYBACK ON WHAT COUNCILMAN PERRY HAD JUMPED ON.
LOOK, I'M NOT LEANING TOWARDS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS COMING OUT OF THE CITY BUDGET.
WE ARE TAXED ENOUGH AS IT IS AND THE SMALL FUNDS WE DO HAVE GOING TO BASIC CITY SERVICES ARE MOST IMPORTANT.
I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE ORIGINAL MOTION BECAUSE IT WAS THE COUNCILWOMAN'S DISTRICT AND I THINK SHE KNOWS WHAT IS RIGHT AND BEST FOR HER COMMUNITY.
I TEND TO FALL ON THE SIDE OF LISTENING TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND IF THE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DEVELOPMENT I TEND TO FOLLOW THEM ALMOST ROUTINELY 100% OF THE TIME.
SO MY ORIGINAL COMMENTS WERE JUST TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNCILWOMAN'S POSITION ON THIS CASE.
BUT I DO JUST -- IN THE FUTURE IF WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS.
SHANNON, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT.
I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS ONE COMING.
THE GAS STATION IS ACTUALLY PRETTY COOL.
I WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW I CAN LEARN A BALANCING ACT WITH NEIGHBORHOODS.
THERE ARE SOME STRUCTURES THAT YOU AND I ARE DISCUSSING NOW ARE EYESORES BUT HAVE VALUE.
SO HOW DO WE HELP THEM? WE HELP THEM WITH TAXPAYER MONEY BUT THERE ARE METHODS AND MECHANISMS THAT MAY HELP US LEARN A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE STRUCTURE AND WHAT'S GOING ON A LOT OF MORE IN DEPTH, IN CASE IT APPLIES TO SOMETHING WHERE I'M AT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT ALSO PRESERVE A STRUCTURE -- WHEN I SAW IT IN THE REGISTRY THING I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY AMAZING.
SO IT RAISES FLAGS TO ME ON HOW WE RESPECT STRUCTURES, PERIOD, ESPECIALLY IN AN EQUITY-BASED BUDGETING CONVERSATION LIKE HOW ARE WE GOING TO PUSH THESE FUNDS AROUND, WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS START AROUND WHAT STRUCTURES ARE OLD ENOUGH AND WHO GETS WHAT.
THIS IS A LENGTHY CONVERSATION, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING FOR US TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF BUILDINGS, AS I'M LEARNING FROM YOU, SHANNON, THAT ARE GOING TO COME BEFORE US.
IT'S A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION.
I WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE STRUCTURE.
I THOUGHT I COULD TAKE IT OVER FOR DISTRICT 6 TO BE A FIELD OFFICE OR SOMETHING.
THANK YOU TO THE CONSERVATION SOCIETY FOR ENLIGHTENING US.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE DISCUSSION BUT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE COUNCILWOMAN'S POSITION REGARDLESS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> PERRY: JUST A QUICK POINT TO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE, GO BUY THAT THING AND SET IT UP SOMEWHERE.
BUT TO COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES' POINT, I HOPE I WASN'T INFERRING USING PUBLIC FUNDS.
I TOO AM VERY MUCH AGAINST USING PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THIS TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY.
[02:30:03]
BETWEEN THE OWNERS AND BUYERS AND WE DON'T NEED TO BE SPENDING PUBLIC FUNDS ON THIS TYPE OF AN ISSUE, IN MY OPINION.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DELAY ON ITEM NO. 26 FOR SIX MONTHS.
THAT IS THE BALANCE OF OUR AGENDA TODAY.
WE DO HAVE -- DO WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER'S REPORT? OKAY.
>> SCULLEY: MAYOR AND COUNCIL, JUST THREE QUICK ITEMS THIS MORNING.
OF COURSE LAST EVENING WE HAD A CHANCE TO DO SO BUT, AGAIN, WE WANT TO WELCOME THE NCAA AND THE FINAL FOUR BASKETBALL TEAMS TO SAN ANTONIO.
VILLANOVA, KANSAS, LOYOLA, AND MICHIGAN.
WE ARE EXCITED TO HOST OVER 93,000 VISITORS THAT ARE CONVERGING ON DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO FOR THE TOURNAMENT AND ALL THE RELATED ACTIVITIES.
AND I DO WANT TO NOTE FOR THE PUBLIC THAT SO MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE FAMILY ORIENTED.
WE'LL HAVE SOME ACTIVITIES ON THE RIVER WALK ON SATURDAY MORNING AND, OF COURSE, THE FUN FEST THAT BEGINS FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND CONTINUES SUNDAY IS A FAMILY-ORIENTED EVENT FOR OUR PUBLIC AND LOCAL COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN.
ALL OF THE FANS, THE TEAMS, THE CHEERLEADERS, THE BANDS, THE REFEREES, THE NCAA, THE EVENT AND MEDIA PERSONNEL ARE EXPECTED TO GENERATE A TOTAL DIRECT SPENDING OF $185 MILLION DURING THIS FOUR-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA.
AND I'LL NOTE THAT WE ACTUALLY BID ON HOSTING THIS CONFERENCE BACK IN 2014.
SO IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING.
AND WE'RE IN THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF THE NCAA MEN'S FINAL FOUR AS WELL AS THE WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR.
SO WE KNOW THAT THE TEAMS AND THE COACHES LOVE TO COME TO SAN ANTONIO.
IT MAKES IT VERY CONVENIENT WITH ALL OF OUR HOTEL ROOMS AND PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED DOWNTOWN.
AND WITH THE PROXIMITY OF THE CONVENTION CENTER TO THE VENUE WHERE WE HOST THE ACTUAL GAME.
WE'LL HAVE MORE THAN 70,000 TICKETED FANS ATTENDING THE GAMES AT THE NEWLY-RENOVATED ALAMODOME THIS WEEKEND.
THERE ARE AN ADDITIONAL 15,000 NON-TICKETED FANS THAT HAVE COME TO SAN ANTONIO TO ENJOY ALL OF THE ANCILLARY EVENTS SUCH AS THE FAN FEST THAT I MENTIONED THAT'S PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE AND HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.
OR THE FREE THREE-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL WHICH WILL FEATURE JASON ALDEAN, IMAGINE DRAGON AND MAROON 5.
THAT'S BEING HELD AT HEMISFAIR PARK ON THE CORNERS OF MARKET AND ALAMO STREETS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT 40,000 ROOM NIGHTS WILL BE SECURED FOR THE EVENT IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND NOT ONLY WILL OUR DOWNTOWN BE BUSTLING BUT OUR AIRPORT WILL SEE A SHARP INCREASE IN PASSENGERS DURING THE FINAL FOUR WHICH ALSO INTERSECTS WITH OUR USUAL INCREASE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS WHO COME TO SAN ANTONIO YESTERDAY, MARCH 28.
OF COURSE YESTERDAY WAS THE TEAM ARRIVAL DAY THROUGH APRIL 4.
BECAUSE SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE STAYING THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY.
THIS NUMBER INCLUDES NEARLY 6,000 SEATS THAT THE AIRLINES HAVE ADDED FOR THE FINAL FOUR THROUGH EITHER ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS OR UPGRADING THEIR AIRCRAFT TO LARGER AIRCRAFT.
TO PUT THIS NUMBER IN PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL 36 SCHEDULED FLIGHTS ON A BOEING 737.
SO A LOT OF EXTRA ACTIVITY AT OUR AIRPORT.
AND THIS NUMBER DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CHARTERED FLIGHTS, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO ADD UP TO 1700 MORE PASSENGERS LANDING AT SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND STINSON AIRPORT.
NOR DOES THE NUMBER INCLUDE THE PASSENGERS UP TO 500 AVIATION AND PRIVATE AIRCRAFT THAT WILL ALSO FLY TO SAN ANTONIO.
THE AIRPORT SYSTEM ALONE EXPECTS TO GENERATE MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM THE SALE OF FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND GIFTS FROM COMMERCIAL PASSENGERS.
THE AIRPORT WILL ALSO RECEIVE REVENUE FROM THE FUELING ACTIVITIES, SPACE OPERATIONS FOR THE PRIVATE AIRCRAFT.
ON AVERAGE EACH OF THESE VISITORS WILL SPEND ABOUT $600 A DAY ON FOOD, BEVERAGE, LODGING, RENTAL CARS, AND ENTERTAINMENT.
SO WHEN THE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND INDUCED SPENDING AND REVENUES IS COMBINED, THE TOTAL
[02:35:02]
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE FINAL FOUR IS PROJECTED TO BE NEARLY $350 MILLION.AND OF THIS NUMBER AN ESTIMATED $13.8 MILLION IN REVENUE WILL GO TO THE STATE OF TEXAS IN TAXES AND $6.8 MILLION TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND, YES, WE HAVE PROJECTED THAT IN OUR BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR '18.
OF THAT $6.8 MILLION REVENUE TO THE CITY, ABOUT $4.8 MILLION OF THAT IS IN HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES ALONE.
SO MOST OF THAT GOING TO THE HOT TAX.
IN COMPARISON, THE TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE 2016 FINAL FOUR HELD IN HOUSTON JUST APPROACHED $300 MILLION.
SO WE'RE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT AT $350 MILLION.
AND THE IMPACT OF THE 2014 FINAL FOUR HELD IN DALLAS WAS ABOUT $275 MILLION.
WE WELCOME ALL OF THE PLAYERS, FANS, VISITORS COMING TO SAN ANTONIO AND WELCOME OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE FAMILY AND FREE EVENTS.
THE SECOND ITEM THIS MORNING IS JUST TO MENTION OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT SUMMER PROGRAM.
AND YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES AN OUTLET FOR YOUTH TO STAY ACTIVE AND ACADEMICALLY ENGAGED DURING THE SUMMER BREAK.
LAST YEAR OVER 5,400 YOUTH PARTICIPATED.
THIS PROGRAM RUNS FROM MID JUNE UNTIL EARLY AUGUST AT NEARLY 60 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE CITY, INCLUDING SCHOOL SITES AT SAN ANTONIO, SOUTH SAN, EDGEWOOD, HARLANDALE, NORTH SIDE, NORTHEAST, AND SOUTHWEST SCHOOL DISTRICT CAMPUSES.
OPERATING HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7:30 A.M. TO 5:3E LUNCH AND ■SNACK ATCOMMUNITY&-ÚY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.