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WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 17, 2018.
>> MAYOR, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD MORNING.
[1. Invocation]
COUNCIL A SESSION AGENDA.>> MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW COUNCILMAN PELAEZ TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE OUR INVOCATION SPEAKER.
MAYOR AND FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EVERYBODY PRESENT, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO RANDY BALES.
PASTOR RANDALL BALES SERVES THE UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH.
IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, REVEREND, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
UPON HIS GRADUATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN VOCAL MUSIC AND A MINOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
HE MOVED TO FORT WORTH WHERE HE EARNED A MASTERS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DEGREE AT SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
HE MET HIS WIFE PEGGY AND MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO IN 1986 WHEN HE JOINED THE STAFF OF UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH.
FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS HE SERVED THE LORD IN THAT CONGREGATION AS THE SENIOR PASTOR.
HE HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR 33 YEARS.
PASTOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND THE SHOW IS YOURS.
>> IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, JOIN ME IN PRAYER.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ARE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO PAUSE FOR JUST A MOMENT SO EVIDENT THROUGH THE YEARS AND WE'RE GRATEFUL, FATHER, THAT YOU HAVE SEEN FIT TO PLACE A COMMUNITY HERE THAT REACHES AND TAKES CARE OF SO MANY PEOPLE.
AND SO WE ASK YOUR PRESENCE DURING THIS MEETING TODAY IN THIS CHAMBER.
WE ARE THOUGHTFUL FOR OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AS THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO LEAD US.
WE PRAY FOR THE DECISIONS THEY WILL MAKE FOR THE AGENDA TODAY.
GOD GIVE THEM WISDOM, GIVE THEM HARMONY.
FATHER, I PRAY YOU WOULD GUIDE THEM AS THEY MAKE THESE DECISIONS TODAY.
I PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS CONTINUE ON THIS CITY FOR ANOTHER 300 AMAZING YEARS.
FATHER, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE FAMILIES OF THOSE REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM AND REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS OF THIS CITY.
AND WE ASK AGAIN, FATHER, FOR YOUR PRESENCE DURING THESE MOMENTS TOGETHER TODAY.
[2. Pledge of Allegiance]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, PASTOR.
WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCED FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES.
[3. Approval of Minutes for the City Council Regular Meetings of April 18 - 19, 2018.]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THE FIRST ITEM FOR ACTION ON OUR AGENDA TODAY IS THE APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OF APRIL 18 THROUGH 19.
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THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES FROM APRIL 18 AND 19,[Additional Item]
2018.I'M VERY PROUD NOW TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR NOT A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME BUT WITH GREAT IMPACT.
BRIGADIER GENERAL PRINGLE, HEATHER PRINGLE, ASSUMED COMMAND IN AUGUST 2016.
SINCE THAT TIME SHE HAS MADE EVERY EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
SHE HAS ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES TO INCREASE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS, P4S BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND JBSA, WHICH WERE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH.
THESE PROJECTS INCREASED MILITARY READINESS, ADDED MILITARY VALUE TO OUR INSTALLATIONS AND SUPPORTED THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE, SHE PARTICIPATED IN A NUMBER OF CIVIC EVENTS, VETERAN SUPPORT FUNCTIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT SHOWCASED THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND THE COMMUNITY.
AS A STRONG CITY PARTNER AND IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH CITY STAFF HER EFFORTS WERE ESSENTIAL IN SECURING MONETARY GRANTS THAT ADDRESSED WATER SECURITY CONCERNS, PREVENTED INCOMPATIBLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CITY AND AT THE JBSA'S MILITARY BASES.
SHE WAS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL DURING THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO SECURE BUFFERS AROUND OUR MILITARY BASES DURING THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THESE EFFORTS WERE ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVING THE MILITARY'S MISSIONS AND PROTECTING OUR INSTALLATIONS.
SHE SUPPORTED THE IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEKEND CELEBRATING THE CITY'S TRICENTENNIAL BY OPENING FORT SAM HOUSTON TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.
THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT HER SUPPORT.
AS AN INSPIRATIONAL LEADER, HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO JBSA'S MILITARY MISSION, THE NATION'S DEFENSE, AND SUPPORT FOR THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO WILL HAVE LONG POSITIVE EFFECTS FOR THE YEARS TO COME.
SO IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO US OUTGOING BRIGADIER GENERAL HEATHER PRINGLE.
[APPLAUSE] THE THANKS GO TO ALL OF YOU IN THIS ROOM, IN THIS COMMUNITY, IN MILITARY CITY, USA.
EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED HAS BEEN THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF MILITARY CITY, USA.
ANYBODY STANDING IN MY SHOES WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME.
IT'S LITERALLY ALL GOES TO YOU.
THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS COMMUNITY IS SO WONDERFUL.
WE LOVE BEING A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE BRIGADIER GENERAL LAURA, MY SUCCESSOR.
EVERY SINGLE MILITARY MEMBER WHO COMES TO THIS COMMUNITY IS WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS. THEY ARE SUPPORTED.
THEY ARE LOVED, AND THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO A VERY WARM FAMILY THAT TAKES REALLY GOOD CARE OF THEM.
AND THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES LUCKY TO BE PART OF MILITARY CITY, USA.
AND I WISH I COULD STAY BUT I CAN'T, AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PIECE OF MY HEART THAT STAYS IN SAN ANTONIO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GENERAL, THE PRAISES THAT WILL COME YOUR WAY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ARE WELL DESERVED.
WE'LL START HERE AT THE COUNCIL.
I'LL RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRIGADIER GENERAL PRINGLE.
FIRST OFF I WANT TO SAY TO EVERYONE IN THE CHAMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN AND THE YOUNG GIRLS.
WILL YOU PLEASE LOOK AT OUR GENERAL HERE? SHE IS A DEFENDER OF OUR NATION.
SHE IS A PARTNER WITH THE CITY.
SHE IS A LEADER FOR OUR MILITARY, AND SHE IS A ROLE MODEL AND INSPIRATION FOR ME.
AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE A HOME HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
YOU CAN NEVER GET AWAY FROM THAT.
AND WE HOPE THAT YOU DO RETIRE HERE AFTER EVERYTHING IS DONE.
BECAUSE HOW YOU HAVE KNIT YOURSELF TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US HERE.
AND FOR WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR, BUT FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES AND BEYOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> PERRY: GENERAL PRINGLE, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO KNOW YOU AND WORK WITH YOU.
AND IT'S JUST BEEN GREAT BECAUSE YOU'RE AN INTEGRATOR, NOT ONLY WITHIN JBSA OF LACKLAND,
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RANDOLPH, FORT SAM, CAMP BULLIS AND ALL THE SURROUNDING MILITARY COMMUNITIES, BUT YOU'RE ALSO AN INTEGRATOR HERE WITHIN THE CITY.THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT A PLEASURE.
IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU TO SEE THAT IN ACTION.
AND I KNOW THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE SPEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH AND WE'RE GOING TO GET BETTER.
BUT YOU HAVE LAID A LOT OF FOUNDATION AND GROUNDWORK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND I'M VERY HONORED TO HAVE WORKED WITH YOU AND WISH YOU GOD SPEED AND ALL THE LUCK IN THE REST OF YOUR CAREER.
BY THE WAY, YOU COULD ALWAYS GOT BACK WITH J.T. WITH THE 450 OTHER GENERALS THAT HAVE COME BACK TO SAN ANTONIO TO RETIRE HERE.
THANK YOU AGAIN VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR SAN ANTONIO AND THE MILITARY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GENERAL, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE VERY PERSONAL INVESTMENT THAT YOU MADE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE WAS A JOB TO DO AND THEN THERE WERE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU COULD BE DOING OUTSIDE OF THAT BUT YOU SPENT THEM INVESTING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY IN THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY.
FOR THAT WE WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL.
THE ROLE THAT WE PLAY, BEING CALLED MILITARY CITY, USA IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE LIGHTLY.
IT IS GRATIFYING TO SEE THAT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OF THIS COUNTRY SEES SAN ANTONIO AS A PLACE WHERE IT PUTS ITS BEST AND BRIGHTEST.
WE'RE ANXIOUS TO SEE THE REST OF YOUR CAREER TAKE SHAPE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU COMING BACK HOME TO SAN ANTONIO.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DIRECTOR OF OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, JEFF COYLE, FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
IN KEEPING WITH THE MILITARY THEME THIS MORNING, THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN ASKED TO AWARD THE LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD TO OUR CHAIRMAN AND SAN ANTONIO STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROLAND GUTIERREZ.
THIS AWARD IS FROM THE TEXAS MAYORS OF MILITARY COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT BRIEFLY.
PRIOR TO THE 2015 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE HAD GONE SEVERAL SESSIONS WITHOUT ANY FUNDING FROM THE STATE INTO THE DEFENSE ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
THAT'S THE GRANT PROGRAM USED TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AROUND OUR BASES.
AND SO PRIOR TO THE 2015 SESSION, THE 12 CITIES IN TEXAS THAT HAVE MILITARY BASES AND THEIR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES CAME TOGETHER AND FORMED A FORMAL COALITION.
IN ADDITION TO SAN ANTONIO,CORP, HOUSTON, EL PASO, KINGSVILLE AND SAN ANGELO SAID WE'RE GOING TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE.
WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE $50 MILLION OVER TWO SESSIONS FOR DAG GRANTS.
CHAIRMAN GUTIERREZ HAS BEEN A HUGE CHAMPION FOR FUNDING FOR OUR BASES.
LAST SESSION HE WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE DEFENSE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE .
IT JUST SO HAPPENED WHEN THE LEGISLATURE SOUGHT TO REFORM ANNEXATION LAW IN TEXAS THERE WAS GOING TO BE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR BASES.
SPECIFICALLY IF WE COULDN'T ANNEX PROPERTY AROUND BASES WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE LAND DEVELOPMENT IN THOSE AREAS AND ENSURE COMPATIBLE LAND USES WITH THE BASES.
HE FOUGHT TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT THE BASES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, BATTLING WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND ULTIMATELY
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RESULTING IN AN AMENDMENT TO THE ANNEX BILL THAT ALLOWS FOR A FIVE-MILE BUFFER AROUND OUR BASES, EVEN IF A VOTE IS UNSUCCESSFUL TO ANNEX WE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXTEND LAND USE PROTECTIONS TO THOSE AREAS.SO THE TMMC AND ALL OF THOSE CITIES I JUST MENTIONED, UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED CHAIRMAN GUTIERREZ AS THE LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR AND AS THE HOST CITY, WE HAVE THE HONOR OF GRANTING THAT AWARD TO HIM.
IT'S REALLY AN HONOR TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU AND I'M REALLY TOUCHED.
YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER THOUGHT THAT THE MILITARY WOULD BE A PARTISAN ISSUE, BUT IT GOT TO BE THAT LAST SESSION.
YOU NEVER THOUGHT LOCAL CONTROL WOULD BE A PARTISAN ISSUE, BUT IT GOT TO BE THAT LAST SESSION.
I'M TRULY HONORED THAT YOU'RE HONORING ME HERE TODAY, IT'S REALLY AN AWARD FOR ALL OF US BECAUSE OF THE TEAMWORK.
I KNOW GENERAL PRINGLE SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU YOUR LOBBY TEAM WAS AMAZING.
WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU MAKE THOSE DECISIONS MATTER.
YOU BROUGHT PEOPLE THAT WORKED DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
THIS IS THE HARDEST PIECE OF LEGISLATION I HAVE FOUGHT FOR IN TEN YEARS.
WE WORKED NOT ONE DAY, NOT TWO DAYS, BUT WEEKS AND MONTHS.
EVEN IN THE INTERIM WE TRAVELED TO FORT WORTH AND EAGLE PASS AND DEL RIO TO CONVINCE MAYORS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE THAT WE NEEDED TO FIGHT THE INTEREST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS THING BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE SO DAMNING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS.
$50 BILLION IN REVENUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, $150 BILLION FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE ARE MILITARY CITY, USA AND WE UNDERSTAND THIS.
WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED TO KELLY AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS.
BUT THAT TEAMWORK THING, THE MAYOR BEING OVER IN AUSTIN DAY IN, DAY OUT THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS.
COUNCILMAN SALDANA, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, MANY OF YOU, CLAYTON PERRY.
ALL OF YOU WERE THERE IN SPIRIT AND I KNOW EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU SHOWED UP.
IT MATTERS THAT WE PUT UP THAT FIGHT.
IN THE END WE WERE ABLE TO WIN AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET LEGISLATION SIGNED THAT PROTECTED OUR MILITARY BASES.
NOT JUST IN SAN ANTONIO BUT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH ONE PASSING THOUGHT.
KNOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FIGHTER JETS.
BUT I ALWAYS REMIND THEM THAT THAT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM.
SO IF ANYBODY COMPLAINS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN ABOUT HELICOPTERS OR JETS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WE NEED TO TELL THEM THAT IS THE SOUND OF FREEDOM.
THAT IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT IN AMERICA.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID.
I WANT TO THANK ALSO THE MEMBERS OF MY DELEGATION THAT WERE ALSO THERE AT THE HELM MAKING SURE THAT THIS GOT DONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU AGAIN, REPRESENTATIVE, FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND THE WORK OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS ON THE DELEGATION FOR PROTECTING OUR BASES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE LIVE UP TO OUR MILITARY CITY, USA STATUS.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN MANNY PELAEZ FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT ITEM 16 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS THE NOMINATION OF METHODIST HEALTH CARE AS AN ENTERPRISE ZONE PROJECT.
BUT BEFORE WE VOTE ON THAT, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR EXPANSION INTO D8, WHICH IS GOING TO LEAD TO ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT AND NEW JOBS.
ENRIQUE BERNAL, THEIR CFO IS HERE.
ENRIQUE, I WANT TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOU AND THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR RESIDENTS AND PROVIDING GREAT HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
NOT TO MENTION THE THOUSANDS OF
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JOBS THAT YOU ALREADY PROVIDE SAN ANTONIO IN ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES.AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, ONE IN EIGHT RESIDENTS IN THE CITY ARE EMPLOYED IN THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOSCIENCES INDUSTRY.
AND METHODIST, YOU ARE LEADERS.
SO THIS ALSO GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSCORE OUR SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY MEDICINE ASSETS, THE WORK THAT BAMC DOES IS JUST AS CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY IN THE TRAUMA AREA.
BAMC IS OUR ONLY TRAUMA ONE AND TRAUMA TWO CENTER IN SAN ANTONIO.
AND WE FULLY SUPPORT THEM AS WELL.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS EXPANDING OUTSIDE OF TRAUMA ONE BECAUSE EVERY LEVEL IS CRITICAL TO OUR CITIZENS.
ON BEHALF OF DISTRICT 8, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> PERRY: YES, IF YOU COULD JUST HOLD ON ONE SECOND.
IN CARRYING ON THAT MILITARY THEME, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT Y'ALL STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY HERE IN TOWN AND NOT THREATEN ANY ADDITIONAL TRAUMA CENTERS THAT WOULD TAKE THE BUSINESS AND THE TRAINING AWAY FROM BAMC.
BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS FOR OUR MILITARY MISSIONS HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE SAYING YOU WON'T BE DOING THAT, AND JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING THAT FORWARD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
ALL OF YOU ARE LOOKING AT A GROUP OF KIDS UP HERE UP FRONT WEARING BLACK SHIRTS.
I AM SO IMPRESSED AT HOW LITTLE WIGGLING IS HAPPENING IN THOSE SEATS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF CAFFEINE.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL OF YOU HAVE A CUP IN FRONT OF YOU, A COFFEE CUP.
THAT IS A GIFT FROM THESE STUDENTS.
THEY'VE GOT AN ESPRESSO YOURSELF PROGRAM, WHICH IS VERY ADMIRABLE, AND I WANTED TO INTRODUCE TO YOU.
THESE STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHER, ANGELA LEWIS -- COME ON UP, ANGELA.
>> PELAEZ: THESE STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHER, WHO HELPS LEAD ARE PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM CALLED ESPRESSO YOURSELF.
THE PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO PREPARING SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS PROVIDING THEM REAL WORK EXPERIENCE.
IT IS TEACHING STUDENTS INDEPENDENCE, SOCIAL SKILLS, AND HELPS THEM HELP US BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.
SO THESE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT IMPORTANT SKILLS SUCH AS BEING ON TIME FOR A JOB, CLOCKING IN AND OUT, GETTING PAID, AND EVEN MANAGING A BUDGET.
AND EVERY FRIDAY MORNING SOME OF THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS PAIR UP WITH THEIR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TO SELL COFFEE, TEA, AND BREAKFAST BARS TO STUDENT AND STAFF.
AND RECENTLY NISD'S GRANT WAS APPROVED AND THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE USED TO OPEN AN OUTSIDE DRIVE THROUGH FOR PARENTS DROPPING OFF THEIR CHILDREN.
THE PROGRAMS REALLY BROUGHT THE SCHOOL TOGETHER AND TEACHERS AND STUDENTS LOVE IT.
THERE WAS A LINE WRAPPING AROUND THE SCHOOL, PRACTICALLY.
AND THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS HANG OUT AND SOCIALIZE IN THE MORNINGS OVER COFFEE.
AND THE SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS AND THE REST OF THEIR FRIENDS FORM VERY IMPORTANT FRIENDSHIPS.
NOW, I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU -- MS. LEWIS, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME IDENTIFY WHO BELLA IS.
OF HER GOLD PROJECT FOR GIRL SCOUTS SHE DECIDED THAT WHILE THEY WERE ALL WAITING TO SEE IF THIS GRANT CAME IN, SHE JUST DECIDED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY.
AND SO THEY OPENED A SHOP, AND ALONG WITH A FEW DONATIONS FROM THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY, BELLA LEADING THIS EFFORT, GOT THIS SHOP UP AND RUNNING.
MAYOR, I'M HAPPY TO READ FOR YOU WHAT IT SAYS ON THEIR SHIRTS.
YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO READ IT FROM HERE.
BUT THESE ARE THE VALUES BY WHICH THEY LIVE.
BE YOURSELF, LOVE YOURSELF, VALUE YOURSELF, ACCEPT YOURSELF, RESPECT YOURSELF, ESPRESSO YOURSELF.
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THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE MORE LIKE BELLA AND TO BE MORE LIKE THE STUDENTS.ANGELA, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AS WELL.
COUNCIL, MAYOR, WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THESE KIDS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO OUR COUNCIL MEETING TO GIVE US A GREAT EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP AND INGENUITY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.
[Consent Agenda]
YOU TRULY ARE MORALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR CONSIDERATION FROM THE AGENDA.
WE DO HAVE ITEM 4 ON INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
I DO HAVE ITEMS NO. 9, 13, 15, AND 4 AS WELL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OTHERS. ALL RIGHT.
ON INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION I HAVE ITEMS NO. 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, AND 15.
ANY OTHERS? FOR THE RECORD, 8B IS PULLED AND WILL NOT BE HEARD TODAY.
WE DO HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK FOR AN ITEM ON CONSENT.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THOSE ARE ALL ITEMS SAVE FOR ITEMS 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, AND 15.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[15. Ordinance waiving City development and SAWS water and sewer impact fees in connection with a substantial HEB hub expansion for distribution, manufacturing, and food processing at the southwest corner of East Houston and South Foster Road in City Council District 2. [Roderick Sanchez, Assistant City Manager; Rene Dominguez, Director, Economic Development]]
ALL RIGHT.I'LL ASK MY COLLEAGUE'S COURTESY.
WE ARE GOING TO HEAR 15 FIRST SINCE IT IS PULLED FOR RECUSAL PURPOSES.
>> ITEM NO. 15 IS AN ORDINANCE WAIVING CITY DEVELOPMENT AND SAWS WATER AND SEWER IMPACT FEES IN CONNECTION WITH A SUBSTANTIAL H-E-B HUB EXPANSION FOR DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURING, AND FOOD PROCESSING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF EAST HOUSTON AND SOUTH FOSTER ROAD IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
>> THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FOR RECUSAL.
>> SHAW: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
AT THIS TIME I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[4. Report on the results of the examination of signatures on the three Petitions submitted to amend the City Charter. [Leticia M. Vacek, City Clerk]]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO OUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION BEGINNING WITH ITEM NO. 4.
>> ITEM NO. 4 IS A REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURES ON THE THREE PETITIONS SUBMITTED TO AMEND THE CITY CHARTER.
AND I HAVE A VERY BRIEF PRESENTATION.
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AS YOU KNOW, ON WEDNESDAY, APRIE PETITIONS SEEKING TO AMEND THE CITY CHARTER AS FOLLOWS.PETITION NO. 1 IS FOR A PETITION FOR A CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CHARTER AMENDMENT TO SET A LIMIT ON THE APPOINTMENT TERM OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY OF A CITY MANAGER.
PETITION NO. 2 IS A PETITION FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CHARTER AMENDMENT TO FACILITATE VOTER USE OF THE REFERENDUM PROCESS.
AND PETITION 3 IS A PETITION FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE ARBITRATION IN LIEU OF LITIGATION IN THE EVENT OF IMPASSE IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK UTILIZED THE BEXAR COUNTY ELECTION'S OFFICE VOTE TECH ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE SYSTEM LOANED TO US AT BEXAR COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE TO VERIFY THE PETITIONS.
IT WAS PROGRAMMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 277 OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.
THE VMAX SYSTEM ALLOWS USERS TO SEARCH AND VERIFY BY VOTER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, NAME, ADDRESS, OR DATE OF BIRTH, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FOR SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.
THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS REPRESENT THE SIGNATURES VERIFIED FOR PETITION NO. 1.
SO OF THOSE 20,226 WERE VERIFIED AS VALID.
AND THE BREAKDOWN, AS YOU CAN SEE, IDENTIFIES EACH INDIVIDUAL OF THE PETITIONS THAT WE VERIFIED.
FOR EXAMPLE, NR STANDS FOR NOT REGISTERED.
SO THEY ARE PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY.
I WILL NOTE THAT AT THE BOTTOM I DID DENOTE THAT THAT PARTICULAR LINE, THE UNCHECKED LINE, INCLUDES BLANK LINES, MISSING REQUIRED DATA, AND THOSE THAT WERE NOT VERIFIED.
THERE WAS 20,101 SIGNATURES VERIFIED THAT WERE VALID.
AND FOR PETITION 3 THERE WERE 20,172 VALID SIGNATURES.
PER SECTION 37 OF THE CITY CHARTER AND SECTION 9.004 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT EACH PAPER OF THE THREE PETITIONS HAS THE PROPER STATEMENT OF THE CIRCULATOR AND HAS BEEN SIGNED BY A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS.
I HEREBY CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF MY EXAMINENATION OF EACH OF THE PETITIONS SUBMITTED TO AMEND THE CITY CHART AS VALID.
SAID CERTIFICATION IS HEREBY DECLARED AND NO ACTION IS REQUIRED.
THE CITY COUNCIL HAS UNTIL MONDAY, AUGUST 20, TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE NOVEMBER 6, 2018 BALLOT.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER THEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, LETICIA.
THAT WAS AN ITEM FOR BRIEFING PURPOSES ONLY.
WE DO HAVE ONE CITIZEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NO. 4.
>> WELL, MAYOR NIRENBERG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL.
FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
RIGHT NOW WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
ALL THE SHOUTING, ALL THE CRYING HAS TAKEN PLACE AND NOW YOU'RE ON TO THE NEXT STEP OF THE PROCESS.
BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS TAKING PLACE HERE? I DON'T THINK ANY OF YOU REALIZE JUST HOW HISTORIC THE ITEM IS BEFORE YOU HERE.
MAYBE ONCE IN A DECADE, ON AVERAGE, DO THE CITIZENS ACTUALLY SIGN PETITIONS TO GET SOMETHING ON A BALLOT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
I MEAN, THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS HELPED GET THE LIGHT RAIL ON THE BALLOT.
AND BEFORE THEN, I THINK IT WAS SEVERAL DECADES BEFORE THEN IN THE 1990S WHEN THE APPLEWHITE RESERVOIR CONTROVERSY SURFACED.
SO WHAT HAPPENED HERE? WHY DID THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SIGN A PETITION TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT? WELL, QUITE FRANKLY I THINK YOU KNOW THE ANSWER, MR. CITY
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COUNCIL PEOPLE.IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST YOU.
THEY DO NOT TRUST THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT THEY ELECTED TO DO THE JOB THAT YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO FOR US.
AND, CONSEQUENTLY, PEOPLE GET TIRED OF THAT.
THEY GET TIRED OF SEEING HIGHER TAXES THAT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT.
THEY GET TIRED OF YOU VOTING FOR HIGHER UTILITY RATES.
THEY GET TIRED OF YOU, CITY COUNCIL, REMOVING HISTORICAL STATUES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITHOUT A CITY VOTE ON IT.
THEY GET TIRED OF A MAYOR WHO SAYS I WANT TRANSPARENCY.
AND WHAT DOES HE DO? BEHIND CLOSED DOORS YOU AND HE DISCUSS, NOT PERSONNEL MATTERS, NOT REAL ESTATE, BUT A POLITICAL PARTY CONVENTION DECISION.
PEOPLE GOT TIRED OF THAT AND THEY SAY -- THEY SIGNED A PETITION AND BASICALLY THEY SAY TAKE THAT, CITY COUNCIL.
THEY WANT, FINALLY, TO GET A CHANCE TO SAY NO, YOU ARE HEREBY GETTING A SPANKING.
SO, YES, THEY WANT A CHANCE TO CHANGE A CHARTER TO WHERE IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER THAN THE DRACONIAN REQUIREMENTS TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT IN THE FUTURE.
I MEAN, 60, 70,000 SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT? THAT DOESN'T CUT IT.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS OUT THERE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
LETICIA, I JUST HAVE SOME LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS.
SO EXPLAIN TO ME JUST THE VERIFICATION PROCESS.
>> THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IS SET OUT BY CHAPTER 277 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
AND IT REQUIRES A MULTITUDE OF ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TO VERIFY.
THE SIGNER'S DATE OF BIRTH OR VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBER.
THEY HAVE TO RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
THE SIGNER'S RESIDENCE ADDRESS, AND THE DATE OF THE SIGNING HAS TO MEET THE CRITERIA.
THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
>> GONZALES: BUT YOU NEVER CONTACT ANYBODY INDIVIDUALLY TO SEE IF THEY, IN FACT, SIGNED IT?
THAT'S NOT PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
>> GONZALES: AND EXPLAIN -- YOU SAY HERE IN THE LAST SECTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS UNTIL MONDAY, AUGUST 20 TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE NOVEMBER 6 BALLOT.
SO COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH THAT? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT AND WE CREATE THE LANGUAGE? OR IS THE LANGUAGE AS PRESENTED HERE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE PETITION?
>> THAT'S A QUESTION THAT ANDY WILL ANSWER, OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
>> THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO PLACE THE PETITIONS ON THE NEXT REGULARLY-SCHEDULED ELECTION, WHICH WOULD BE NOVEMBER.
AND THE TIMELINE FOR PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, THE LAST TIME TO DO THAT DATE-WISE IS AUGUST 20.
>> AND IS THE LANGUAGE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER AS IT APPEARS HERE?
>> UNLESS THERE'S OTHER LANGUAGE NEGOTIATED, THE CITY CANNOT UNILATERALLY CHANGE THE LANGUAGE ON THE PETITIONS.
IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, YES.
IT HAS TO APPEAR AS IT APPEARS ON THE PETITION.
>> GONZALES: UNLESS WE NEGOTIATE IT.
WHO WOULD WE BE NEGOTIATING WITH?
>> THAT WOULD BE A DIFFICULT THING TO ANSWER SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY PETITIONERS THAT SIGNED THE PETITION.
>> GONZALES: COULD YOU SAY WHO T EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON?
>> GONZALES: ISN'T THERE A PETITIONER?
I MEAN, EACH PERSON WHO SIGNED THE PETITION IS IN FACT -- THEY ARE, IN EFFECT, PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.
SO UNLESS THERE'S A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE PETITION THAT COMES FORWARD, THEN WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE ANYTHING.
BUT IF THERE IS NO NEGOTIATION IT GOES ON AS IT APPEARS ON THE PETITION.
AND WE HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 20TH TO DO THAT?
>> GONZALES: TO IDENTIFY IF WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO ADJUST THE LANGUAGE AT ALL?
[00:40:06]
I THINK THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE PETITIONS.
ANDY, IF YOU NEED TO INTERRUPT ME.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE CITY COUNCIL'S PIECE IN THIS IS PURELY MINISTERIAL.
I WOULD HOPE THAT WE JUST FOLLOW THROUGH WITH EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY MEANING WE HAVE NO CHOICE.
THIS SHOULD GO ON THE BALLOTS.
THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION CLEARLY STATES IF YOU OBTAIN THEM, IT GOES ON THE BALLOT.
WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS IN HOUSTON WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO STALL PETITIONS OVER THERE.
IT HASN'T GONE WELL FOR THEM IN THE COURT SYSTEM.
AND ALSO REMEMBER THAT EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T MEET THE NUMBERS TODAY THERE WOULD BE A CURE PERIOD WHERE THEY COULD GO BACK AND GET ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES.
WHILE THE NUMBERS LOOK PRETTY CLOSE HERE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF TIME FOR THEM TO RETURN AND GRAB THE ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES NECESSARY.
MY ONLY THING IS, JUST KEEP IN MIND AT THE END OF THE DAY NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS.
JUST BECAUSE YOU OBTAIN THE SIGNATURES DOESN'T MEAN THE AMENDMENTS PASS.
THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE CHOICE.
I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHAT KIND OF CAMPAIGNS WE RUN AGAINST THIS, THE LANGUAGE WE USE, AND THE PEOPLE WE CHARACTERIZE AS HAVING LED THIS OPPOSITION.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS ULTIMATELY RESIDENTS THAT SIGNED IT, REGARDLESS OF WHO LED IT.
I'M JUST ASKING THAT WE KEEP THAT IN MIND.
IT'S GOING TO BE A CONTENTIOUS FEW MONTHS.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CAMPAIGNS BEING RAMPED UP AGAINST IT.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY, CHAMBER PEOPLE COMING OUT AGAINST THIS TYPE OF STUFF.
WE HAVE TO KEEP IT AS PROFESSIONAL AS POSSIBLE.
NO MATTER WHAT OCCURS OR HAPPENS, AT THE END OF THE DAY THE RESIDENT WILL MAKE THE ULTIMATE DECISION.
THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PLAY IN THIS.
THE LAW IS VERY CLEAR THAT IT GOES STRAIGHT ON.
OUR VOTE SIMPLY PUTS IT THERE.
WE DON'T STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN AND ANY ATTEMPT TO DO THAT IS GOING TO BE A FRONT TO THE PROCESS AND THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION.
BY THE WAY, I DO BELIEVE YOU CAN WORK WITH THE PETITIONERS IN THIS CASE TO DEFINE LANGUAGE THAT'S MORE EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE RESIDENTS SO THEY'RE MAKING AN INFORMED VOTE.
I HOPE WE AS A COUNCIL CAN REACH OUT AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY LET'S CREATE LANGUAGE AND OPPORTUNITY SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE VOTING FOR.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PETITIONERS WOULD BE -- WOULD HAVE TO BE OPEN TO THAT.
WE HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST WHEN WE DID THE STREETCAR.
I NEGOTIATED THE LANGUAGE WITH ROBBY GREENBLOOM AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AT THE END OF THE DAY THE CITIZENS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN ASK FOR ANY BETTER.
REGARDLESS OF HOW WE FEEL INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT IT, WE DO FEEL THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY AND THE ULTIMATE VOTE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHERE THE CITIZENS ACTUALLY STAND ON THIS.
ALL I ASK FOR IS A LITTLE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY IN THE CONVERSATION ACROSS THE CITY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> COURAGE: TO A CERTAIN EXTENT I CONCUR WITH COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE, BUT ALSO I HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VIEW THAT I BELIEVE THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY BEYOND THE AMINISTRATIVE ROLE OF PUTTING THIS ON THE BALLOT.
I THINK IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US ON CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE VOTERS ARE ADEQUATELY INFORMED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES, THE RESULTS OF THEIR VOTE ON THESE ISSUES.
PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THE SIGNERS OF THESE PETITIONS WERE NOT WELL INFORMED ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE SIGNING.
I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY WERE TOLD ONE THING AND AFTER THEY FOUND OUT WHAT THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACTUALLY MEANT, THEY SAID THAT'S NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT MEANT AND CAN I HAVE MY NAME TAKEN OFF.
ONCE YOU HAVE SIGNED, YOU HAVE SIGNED.
SO I THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT THE VOTING PUBLIC BE GIVEN ALL OF THE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULTS OF THEIR VOTE ON THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS SO THAT WE HAVE A FULLY-INFORMED AND EDUCATED DECISION.
AND SO THE CITY CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL OF THE CITIZENS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
THIS, ALL THE SIGNATURES COUNTED, LETICIA, I KNOW YOU WORKED REALLY HARD ON COUNTING THAT AND I KNOW THAT YOUR TEAM STAYED UP LATE NIGHTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNT WAS ACCURATE.
AND I KNOW THAT THAT WAS A VERY
[00:45:03]
HEAVY LIFT.I THINK WE WOULD NOT BE DOING OUR JOB IF WE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT, LETICIA.
YOU'RE MORE THAN JUST A RUBBER STAMP AND THE PERSON WHO FILES DOCUMENTS.
YOU REALLY DO DO A VERY SIGNIFICANT JOB AROUND HERE.
AND I THINK THAT SOMETIMES THAT'S OVERLOOKED.
AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO OVERLOOK THAT.
SO I'LL LET MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT -- AND IT CERTAINLY IS IMPORTANT THAT CITIZENS ENGAGE AND EVERYBODY HAS THAT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE, AND THE CAMPAIGNS WILL BE VERY INTERESTING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE RESULTS ARE.
BUT IT'S YOU I'M THINKING ABOUT TODAY.
YOU KNOW, YOU ONLY PRESENTED FIVE SLIDES TO US BUT THE WORK THAT GOES INTO PRESENTING THOSE FIVE SLIDES MERIT MENTION.
AND SO PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR DOING THIS ON SUCH SHORT TURNAROUND TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
AND THERE WILL BE A LOT SAID OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
I WILL SAY THAT IT IS A DUTY I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AS A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL BUT ALSO AS MAYOR OF THE CITY TO NOT REMAIN AGNOSTIC WHEN PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO HURT THIS CITY.
WHICH IS, IN MY OPINION, AND THE OPINION OF MANY OTHERS THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THESE PETITIONS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DEBATES TO COME BUT WE DO HOPE THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY TAKE NOTICE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A STAKE IN THE FUTURE, A POSITIVE FUTURE FOR THE CITY.
[5. Ordinance approving studio and field equipment and service needs from Unicom Government, Inc. and approving an additional $1,088,270.35 of contract capacity for additional purchases to provide equipment and required services for the Government & Public Affairs Department for a total contract value of $1,800,000.00 funded from the FY 2018 Public, Education and Government Fund Budget. [Ben Gorzell, Chief Financial Officer; Troy Elliott, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Finance]]
ITEM NO. 4 SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NO. 5.>> ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING STUDIO AND FIELD EQUIPMENT SERVICE NEEDS FROM UNICOM GOVERNMENT, INC. AND APPROVING AN ADDITIONAL $1,088,270.35 OF CONTRACT CAPACITY FOR ADDITIONAL PURCHASES TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND REQUIRED SERVICES FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT OF $1,800,000.
>> I DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION.
I'M HAPPY TO TALK THROUGH WHAT THE ITEM IS OR ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
DOES THIS INCORPORATE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO BROADCASTING LIVE OFF SITE AWAY FROM CITY HALL?
CURRENTLY WE DO NOT HAVE THAT CAPABILITY.
WE CAN BROADCAST LIVE FROM HERE AND FROM THE B ROOM, NOT REMOTELY.
WE HAVE, IN THE PAST, FOR MAJOR CITY-WIDE EVENTS LIKE THE BUDGET GOAL-SETTING SESSION, LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL INAUGURATION, WE HAVE HIRED OUT FIRMS TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO US.
SOMETIMES IT HASN'T BEEN UP TO OUR EXPECTATIONS.
THIS WILL PROVIDE LIVE PRODUCTION PACK TO ALLOW OUR IN-HOUSE VIDEOGRAPHERS TO PRODUCE AN EVENT AND LIVESTREAM IT, BOTH ON OUR TV CHANNELS AND ON THE WEB.
>> COURAGE: SO IT WILL BE OUR CITY STAFF THAT MANAGES THIS NEW EQUIPMENT?
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF AUDIO-VIDEO PRODUCERS.
SO THE USE OF THIS WILL BE LIMITED BY OUR EXISTING STAFF CAPACITY.
WE DON'T HAVE AN ARMY OF VIDEOGRAPHERS.
BUT THE IDEA IS TO BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR MAJOR EVENTS.
THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WOULD, IN FACT, TUNE INTO AND WANT TO WATCH LIVE.
>> COURAGE: WILL THIS BE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THEIR USE?
>> NOT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC USE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ITEMS IN THIS PACKAGE HERE THAT ARE FOR PUBLIC USE.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE PROVIDE VIDEO EQUIPMENT TO ABOUT 200 COMMUNITY PRODUCERS WHO COME INTO OUR STUDIOS AND WANT TO RENT OR BORROW OUR EQUIPMENT TO GO PRODUCE SOMETHING ON THEIR OWN.
THIS IS PROVIDING UPDATED AND A MORE MODERN EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR USE.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF STUDIO IMPROVEMENTS IN HERE.
>> COURAGE: ARE COUNCIL OFFICES AND STAFF, WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT TO PRODUCE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR THEIR DISTRICTS?
WE'LL HAVE TO BE -- WE'LL HAVE TO WORK WITH YOU TO BE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHAT TYPES OF EVENTS SO WE CAN BE EFFICIENT WITH HOW WE USE IT.
AGAIN, BECAUSE OF LIMITATIONS IN OUR STAFF.
WHEN YOU ALL REACH OUT TO US WE WORK IT INTO THE SCHEDULE WITH OUR PRODUCTION CREW AND WE'LL
[00:50:06]
>> COURAGE: SOMEWHERE AROUND $6 MILLION OR $7 MILLION.
THIS ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE COMING OUT OF THAT?
>> I DIDN'T MENTION THAT UP FRONT.
SO THIS IS FUNDING THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLECTED ON EVERY CABLE TV SUBSCRIBER'S BILL IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION.
WE HAVE OUR TVZA, OUR CITY CHANNEL.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC CHANNEL WHERE LOCAL PRODUCERS CAN PRODUCE SHOWS AND AIR THEM ON THAT CHANNEL FOR FREE.
AND THEN WE HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL CHANNEL THAT WE PARTNER WITH ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.
SO THE FEES COLLECTED ON CABLE BILLS MUST SUPPORT THAT PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION.
WE DO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL BALANCE IN THERE.
I BELIEVE IT WAS $8 MILLION AT THE START OF THE YEAR.
AND SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PURCHASE AND SOME CAPACITY TO PURCHASE OTHER EQUIPMENT, SHOULD IT FAIL ON US IN THE FUTURE.
BUT IT'S NOT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
IT'S OUT OF THE FUNDING DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS.
>> COURAGE: I WAS WONDERING COULD ANY OF THE MONEY IN THAT FUND BE USED TO OFFSET ANY GENERAL FUND RELATED TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR EFFORTS TO SAVE SOME GENERAL FUND MONEY?
>> WELL, WE DO TRY TO USE THIS ANY OPPORTUNITY WE CAN AND NOT GENERAL FUND.
BUT THE FEDERAL LAW AROUND IT REQUIRES THAT IT HAS TO BE FOR CAPITAL.
SO WE CAN'T PAY OUR TEAM SALARIES OUT OF THIS FUND.
IT HAS TO BE USED TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING PORTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE VOTING SYSTEMS YOU ALL USE IS PART OF THE TELEVISION PRODUCTION OF COUNCIL MEETINGS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
THOSE SORTS OF THINGS CAN BE PURCHASED WITH THIS.
BUT THERE ARE VERY STRICT RULES AROUND IT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN USE IT FOR.
WELL, I THINK YOU HAVE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE, BUT I MOVE THE APPROVAL OF THE ITEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 5.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS ITEM.
AND, JEFF, ALWAYS IMPRESSED BY THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO BRING GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNICATIONS WORK.
I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT AND FOR THE FORESIGHT IN PURCHASING THIS SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN HAVE RELIABLE TRANSMISSIONS.
CAN YOU TELL ME, THIS EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED TO BROADCAST ONLINE OR TVSA OR BOTH?
>> IT DEPENDS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IN MOST CASES WE WILL TRY TO USE BOTH MEDIUMS. WE HAVE PEOPLE WATCHING COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM THEIR COMPUTERS AND TV CHANNEL.
>> SANDOVAL: HOW SOON DO YOU THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS?
>> WE HAVE NEGOTIATED THE PURCHASE PRICE, THE SUBCONTRACTING INCLUDED IN THIS, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE WERE ABLE TO PROCURE BEFORE, WERE NEGOTIATED IN, AND THE PURCHASE WILL BE ABLE TO BE MADE QUICKLY.
SO WE HAVE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT THAT SUPPORTS THIS BROADCAST, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.
SOME OF THE FUTURE CAPACITY WILL ALLOW SHOULD YOUR VOTING SYSTEM FAIL, FOR SOME REASON, US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A PURCHASE QUICKLY AND NOT HAVE A SEVERAL-MONTH PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT WOULD DISRUPT THE PRODUCTION OF THE PROGRAMMING.
AND SO WILL WE WILL ABLE TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT WHEN WE HAVE BUDGET WORKSHOPS IN THE LATE SUMMER?
>> SANDOVAL: OUT IN THE PUBLIC?
WE HAVEN'T ESTABLISHED A POLICY YET ON WHAT WE USE THE LIVE PACK FOR.
WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE SOME INTEREST IN IT, BUT THE MAJOR PURPOSE IS FOR THE CITY WIDE EVENTS WE HAVE CONTRACTED THOSE SERVICES OUT IN THE PAST.
YES, I WOULD THINK CITY BUDGET WOULD CERTAINLY MEET THAT.
>> SANDOVAL: AND YOU MENTIONED KIND OF THE BOTTLE NECK IS STAFF CAPACITY.
>> SANDOVAL: IS THAT REALLY WHAT DETERMINES WHEN WE CHOOSE TO BROADCAST MEETINGS OR NOT BROADCAST MEETINGS? SO FOR INSTANCE NONE OF OUR COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS RIGHT NOW ARE WEBCAST.
IS THAT REALLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS?
>> STAFFING IS CERTAINLY PART OF IT, YES.
TO BE TOTALLY CANDID, WE HAVEN'T HAD HUGE DEMAND FROM THE PUBLIC TO WATCH COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
[00:55:02]
SO FASCINATING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.THAT'S BEEN PART OF IT, I WOULD SAY.
THE FACT THAT WE HOLD MOST OF THOSE MEETINGS IN THE B ROOM HELPS BECAUSE IF WE DECIDED AT SOME POINT THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC WE WOULD HAVE THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT IN THERE.
SOME OF WHICH THIS CONTRACT IS UPGRADING AND RENEWING FOR END OF LIFE PIECES.
WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO MANAGE THE DEMAND FOR IT WITH THE STAFFING AND COST REQUIREMENTS.
SO THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THAT PROVIDED WE HAVE AN ADEQUATE PUBLIC DEMAND, AND THAT MAKES TOTAL SENSE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 5.
[7. Ordinance approving a Design-Build Services Agreement with Sundt Construction, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $32,700,000.00, for the design and construction of the lower segment of the Broadway Street Corridor Project, a 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond-funded project located in Council District 1. [Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Manager, Mike Frisbie, Director, Transportation & Capital Improvements]]
PLEASE VOTE.>> ITEM NO. 7 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES AGREEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $32,700,000 FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOWER SEGMENT OF THE BROADWAY STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT.
A 2017-2022 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FUNDED PROJECT LOCATED IN COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 1.
I PULLED THIS ITEM TO HIGHLIGHT THE GREAT WORK HAPPENING ON BROADWAY.
COUNCILMAN, THIS IS 2017 BOND FOR BROADWAY CORRIDOR.
THE PROJECT IS, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS MAP, IS THE LOWER PART OF BROADWAY.
THIS CONTRACT FOR LOWER PART TODAY.
AND WE WILL BE COMING FOR SELECTION OF THE TEAM TO DESIGN THIS PROJECT FOR UPPER PART LATER ON IN THIS YEAR.
PROJECT SCOPE INCLUDES ROADWAY AND SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION, PEDESTRIAN AMENITY, LIGHTING, AND STREETSCAPE, LANDSCAPING, AND, OF COURSE, UTILITIES.
WE MAKE SURE ALL OF THE UTILITIES [INDISCERNIBLE] AS SHORT OF A DURATION AS POSSIBLE.
PROJECT BENEFITS ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY AND SAFETY.
PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING, CONNECTS DOWNTOWN TO MAJOR CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION.
ENHANCE AESTHETICS IN THE AREA.
THIS IS A DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT.
THE PROCESS WAS NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR WE WENT TO AUDIT COMMITTEE JANUARY 2018 WE ISSUED A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION.
MARCH WE ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
AND LATER IN THE MARCH, EVALUATION WAS DONE.
THE TEAM HAS BEEN SELECTED TO DESIGN-BUILD THIS PRODUCT FOR US.
THEY HAVE OVER 128 YEARS HISTORY OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND THEY HAVE ALSO WORKED FOR US IN THE PAST THEY HAVE WORKED ON AT LEAST 20 YEARS WITH AE COM TO BUILD UP PROJECTS ON THEIR TEAM.
DESIGN-BUILD TEAM HAS OVER $6 BILLION PREVIOUS DESIGN-BUILD PROJECT.
AND TEN OF THEIR TEAM MEMBERS HAS EXPERIENCE AND OFFICE IN SAN ANTONIO.
AFTER COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TODAY THE DESIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH.
CONSTRUCTION STARTS FEBRUARY 2019 AND TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 2021.
WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO EXECUTE $32.7 MILLION DESIGN-BUILD SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SUNDT CONSTRUCTION, INC.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
WE HAVE ONE CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN AND CITY COUNCIL.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
DAVID ADELMAN, PROPERTY OWNER AND STAKEHOLDER IN THAT CORRIDOR.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE ASSEMBLED A STAKEHOLDER GROUP THAT WAS LED
[01:00:01]
AND HELPED BY CENTRO TO PUT TOGETHER THE STAKEHOLDER GROUP OF A WHOLE VARIETY OF CONSTITUENTS, INCLUDING CITY STAFF AS WELL TO HELP WITH THE ORIGINAL IDEAS BEHIND SUBMITTING THIS PROJECT TO THE BOND.AND THAT STAKEHOLDER GROUP PLANS TO REMAIN ASSEMBLED AND BE A PART, WE SEE THIS AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION TO HELP DELIVER THIS PROJECT.
A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS STAND READY TO COOPERATE WITH ROZZY AND HIS TEAM AT THE CITY AND SHERYL'S TEAM TO DELIVER A PROJECT THAT, AT THE END, WILL BE REALLY GREAT FOR THE CITY.
AND WE KNOW IT WILL BE DISRUPTIVE TO BUSINESS.
SO WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND APPLAUD THE SELECTION.
I HAVE SEEN SUNDT WORK IN OTHER AREAS, THE HAUSMAN ROAD PROJECT IN PARTICULAR, WHERE THEY REALLY COLLABORATED WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS AND OPENED UP A DIALOGUE AND MADE SURE THAT WE DON'T HURT BUSINESSES IN THE PROCESS.
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY AND WE SEE THAT IT'S A FAST TRACK.
SO EVERYBODY IS COMMITTED AND PREPARED TO ROLL UP SLEEVES, TO THE EXTENT YOU HAVE SLEEVES.
BUT WE'RE READY TO WORK HARD TO SEE AN INCREDIBLE PROJECT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO MENTION THE GREAT HARD WORK THAT WAS DONE BY CENTRO AND THE BUILD YOUR OWN BROADWAY PROJECT.
THEY REALLY YIELDED A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS MOVING FORWARD.
AS YOU SAW, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROCESS.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE GREAT TEAM EFFORT THAT REALLY WENT ON TO GET THIS DONE.
IT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING PROJECT.
I'M GLAD THAT DAVID ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE DISRUPTIVE, WE KNOW, BUT WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HELP PROVIDE AS MUCH ACCESS AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT BROADWAY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
AND WE'RE SEEING AN AMAZING INVESTMENT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
THIS IS AN AMAZING POINT IN THE HISTORY OF BROADWAY AND THE NORTHERN PART OF OUR DOWNTOWN.
AND REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THE GREAT EFFORT.
I WANT TO THANK ROZZY AND MIKE FRISBIE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK TO GET US TO THIS POINT.
WE THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO TRULY TRANSFORM NOT JUST THE BROADWAY CORRIDOR BUT HOW WE LOOK AT OTHER CORRIDORS IN THE FUTURE.
WITH THAT, I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NO. 7.
IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS ITEM AND TO THE TEAM THAT HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
I SEE THE CENTRO BOARD CHAIR OUT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
YOU KNOW, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
IT WAS CERTAINLY LONG BEFORE I GOT HERE WORK WAS STARTING ON THE BROADWAY CORRIDOR.
NOT TOO LONG AGO WE SAT UP HERE AND DEBATED THE MERITS OF ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES ON THAT CORRIDOR, IF YOU RECALL.
IT WAS A SLIGHTLY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE WITH SOME OF US SAYING OR THINKING, WAIT, THERE'S ALREADY SO MUCH INVESTMENT GOING ON.
THERE'S SO MUCH PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND SHOULDN'T WE BE SPREADING THE WEALTH A LITTLE BIT.
AND NOT TOO LONG AGO I SAT WITH MR. ADDLEBURG -- AM I SAYING HIS NAME RIGHT? SORRY.
AND HE SAID TO ME THAT'S TRUE BUT WE ALSO NEED MODELS TO INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY AND TO REALLY SET THE TONE FOR WHAT WE CAN ASPIRE TO IN THE REST OF SAN ANTONIO.
SO WITH THAT, YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS MODEL.
THE RENDITIONING ARE BEAUTIFUL.
I THINK ANYBODY WOULD BE HAPPY TO WALK DOWN THIS BROADWAY THAT THE WHOLE TEAM HAS ENVISIONED.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ONE DAY, MAYBE MORE THAN A DECADE FROM NOW, SEEING SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN ALONG CULEBRA, ALONG BANDERA BECAUSE I ALSO THINK THE CAPACITY IS THERE, CERTAINLY IN TERMS OF RIGHT OF WAY.
I THINK THE CAPACITY IS THERE AND CERTAINLY THE DESIRE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
SO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WORK AND WE WILL ALL BE LOOKING TO YOU AS A MODEL FOR US.
>> TREVINO: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
>> SCULLEY: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
ONE, THIS IS A COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT.
AS THE COUNCILWOMAN JUST MENTIONED, AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN INCORPORATE OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION IN OUR VEHICULAR STREET DESIGN SO THAT WE ACCOMMODATE MUCH IN A GREATER
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WAY, PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLES, BUS LANES TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUBLIC.SECONDLY, AS A REMINDER, THIS IS A VOTER-APPROVED PROJECT FROM THE 2017 BOND PROGRAM.
SO IN MAY OF 2017 THE VOTERS APPROVED THIS PROJECT.
LASTLY, JUST TO SAY THAT SUNDT CONSTRUCTION HAS DONE OUTSTANDING WORK FOR THE CITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS ADDITIONAL PROJECT AS WELL.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 7.
[9. Approval of the following two ordinances totaling $4,649,877.23 related to the 2017-2022 Bond Program Pedestrian Mobility & Streets Projects in City Council Districts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and 9. [Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Manager, Mike Frisbie, Director, Transportation & Capital Improvements] 9A. Ordinance for the 2017 Bond Program Pedestrian Mobility & Streets Task Order Contract Package 2, approving a task order contract to San Antonio Concepts Construction, LLC in the amount not-to-exceed $2,392,929.23, of which an estimated $96,406.00 will be reimbursed by San Antonio Water System and an estimated $2,000.00 will be reimbursed by CPS Energy for necessary adjustments to its existing infrastructure. 9B. Ordinance for the 2017 Bond Program Pedestrian Mobility & Streets Task Order Contract Package 5, approving a task order contract to Pinnacle Concrete Construction, LLC in the amount not-to-exceed $2,256,948.00, of which an estimated $167,400.00 will be reimbursed by San Antonio Water System and and estimated $2,500.00 will be reimbursed by CPS Energy for necessary adjustments to existing infrastructure.]
PLEASE VOTE.>> ITEM NO. 9 IS APPROVAL OF TWO ORDINANCES TOTALING $4,649,877.23 RELATED TO THE 2017 THROUGH 2022 BOND PROGRAM FOR PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY AND STREETS PROJECT IN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, AND 9.
ITEMS A AND B ARE RELATED TO THE 2017 BOND PROGRAM PEDESTRIAN AND MOBILITY STREET TASK ORDERS AND THEY ARE BOTH ORDINANCES FOR SAID PROJECTS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: ROZZY, IS THERE A PRESENTATION?
THIS IS AS PART OF THE 2017 BOND PROGRAM.
WE HAD $48 MILLION FOR PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
WE HAVE EIGHT COUNCIL DISTRICTS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDING TO DO SIDEWALK AND OTHER PEDESTRIAN-RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM.
PROJECT SCOPE INCLUDES SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION, CURBS AND DRIVEWAY, WHEELCHAIR RAMP, AND OTHER PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS AS NEEDED IN THE AREA.
PROJECT BENEFITS PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY, TASK ORDER BASE.
WORK IS TO BEGIN QUICKLY AND EXPEDITED PROJECT, DELIVERY, AND CONSTRUCTION.
RECOMMENDING TO CONSTRUCTION WILL START SHORTLY AFTER COUNCIL APPROVES AND WILL BE DONE IN NOVEMBER 2019.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ALL OF THOSE COUNCIL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT.
WE HAVE PROVIDED THE RECOMMENDED LIST FROM THE STAFF AND WE HAVE RECEIVED A GOOD NUMBER FROM YOUR OFFICE.
AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE 93 PROJECTS TO DESIGN AND BUILD.
ALSO PART OF THE SELECTION, SELECTED SIX DESIGN TEAMS TO ASSIST US ON DESIGNING THIS PROJECT.
AS THEY ARE DESIGNING, WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE WORK ON CONSTRUCTION AND START BUILDING THIS PROJECT.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THESE ITEMS.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, ROZZY.
SO IT WAS JUST A GREAT CONTINUATION, I THINK, FROM THE DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD ABOUT BROADWAY AND THAT BEING A COMPLETE STREET PROJECT WITH LOTS OF AMENITIES FOR PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
AND THEN ANOTHER $4.6 MILLION THAT WE'RE STARTING.
BUT A TOTAL OF $48 MILLION IN THE 2017 BOND PROGRAM FOR OUR PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
AND SO I THINK I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ALL THE NUMBERS, BECAUSE WE'RE HOSTING A VISION ZERO CONFERENCE HERE NO SAN ANTONIO IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
AND JUST HOW MUCH MONEY THAT WE'RE SPENDING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THE HIGH PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES OVER THE YEARS, I THINK THIS IS A REALLY -- THIS IS GREAT PROGRESS.
I'M PROUD OF OUR CITY AND THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT MORE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY AND HAVE MORE PEDESTRIAN AMENITIES IN ALL DISTRICTS.
AND THIS PARTICULAR $4.6 MILLION IS JUST PART OF WHAT WILL BE A TOTAL OF $48 MILLION?
>> WE HAVE $48 MILLION DEDICATED ONLY FOR PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT, WE ARE ANTICIPATING ANOTHER $30 MILLION TO BUILDING THE SIDEWALKS AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
LIKE BROADWAY, LIKE PRUE ROAD.
BUT THIS WILL BE PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
>> GONZALES: TELL ME AGAIN WHAT PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY ITEMS ARE.
>> MAINLY IT WILL BE SIDEWALK, WHEELCHAIR RAMP, CURB, DRIVEWAY, ROADWAY CROSSING.
>> I WAS GOING TO ADD, AND RAZI JUST TOUCHED ON IT.
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THE Z-CROSSING POINTS, MID-BLOCK, THOSE CAN BE APPLIED AS WELL.PREDOMINANTLY WE WOULD EXPECT THIS TO BE SIDEWALKS.
COUNCIL APPROVED AN INITIAL WAVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU AS ALL WE CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT EVERY QUARTER ANOTHER WAVE OF THESE SIDEWALK PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
>> GONZALES: IT'S VERY EXCITING WORK, IN ADDITION TO THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE ON BROADWAY.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR URBAN CORE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THESE PROJECTS DONE TO FRUITION.
I KNOW WE TRIED TO TARGET OUR SIDEWALK AND PEDESTRIAN AMENITIES AROUND WHERE WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF FATALITIES OR SERIOUS INJURIES.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE SIDEWALKS TO SCHOOLS AND PRIORITIZE AREAS WHERE WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHO NEED TO USE THE SIDEWALK JUST TO WALK FOR THEIR DAILY EXERCISE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 9.
I KNOW DISTRICT 9 WAS ALLOCATED $4 MILLION IN PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY BOND MONEY IN 2017 BOND.
AND SO FAR WE HAVE SUBMITTED WEST AVENUE, STAR CREST, RENDEZVOUS, BUT I DIDN'T SEE A LIST OF WHICH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OR WHICH PROJECTS ARE GOING TO BE COMPLETED.
AND I THINK THAT WOULD HELP ME UNDERSTAND ARE THE PROJECTS THAT WE PUT FORWARD IN DISTRICT 9 BEING TAKEN CARE OF NOW OR SHOULD WE EXPECT THAT DOWN THE LINE.
AND SO I WOULD HOPE A LISTING WOULD COME OUT WHEN THESE BUDGET ITEMS COME FORWARD.
I KNOW WE HAVE TWO OTHER PROJECTS WHICH ARE A PART OF OUR DISTRICT 9 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING.
HEUBNER GAP AND STONE OAK AREA.
SO ALTHOUGH THESE AREN'T PART OF THE BONDS, I THINK SOME OF THE DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING UP IN THE FUTURE ARE GOING TO BE RELATED TO THESE ITEMS. I JUST WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING IS ALSO ONE WAY THAT OUR DISTRICT IS TRYING TO GO AHEAD AND ALLOW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, D 9 RESIDENTS, TO GO AHEAD AND DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHICH PROJECTS THEY FEEL ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE DONE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, D9 RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THESE PROJECTS BEGINNING MAY 29 AND RUNNING THROUGH JUNE 9.
AND SO IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THE PROGRESS IN THAT D9 PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS, THEY CAN SEE HOW THAT VOTING GOES.
YOU KNOW, SIDEWALKS ARE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO FUND THESE.
AND I THINK THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE ARE DOING IN DISTRICT 9, WE'LL BE SUGGESTING MORE PROJECTS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TO THE DEPARTMENT VERY SOON.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING ON MAKING SURE THESE GET FUNDED.
JUST LET US KNOW WHICH ONES ARE COMING UP WHEN YOU BRING THESE NUMBERS FORWARD.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
MY REQUEST IS THAT THESE ARE GOOD PRESENTATIONS BUT THAT THEY NEED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE THAT WE CREATED.
IS THAT IN THE PLAN TO PRESENT TO THEM?
>> PELAEZ: WHICH WILL THAT BE PRESENTED?
>> I BELIEVE WE ARE MEETING IN JUNE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
>> PERRY: I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ROUND OF BOND ACTIVITY FOR SIDEWALKS.
HOW MUCH TOTAL FUNDING DID WE GET IN THE 2017 BOND?
>> PERRY: AND HOW MUCH DID DISTRICT 10 GET OUT OF THAT?
>> DISTRICT 10 AND 8 I BELIEVE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FUNDING FOR THE PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY.
BUT THEY GOT THE MONEY ON THE STREETS AND DRAINAGE AND OTHER FACILITIES.
BUT JUST TRYING TO MAKE A POINT.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOND AND WORKING WITH YOU TO IDENTIFY THOSE AREAS THAT WE NEED IN DISTRICT 10 AS WELL.
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THANK YOU.>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
REMEMBER, WE ALSO HAVE OUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR SIDEWALK MONEY THAT WE'LL WORK CLOSELY WITH EVERY DISTRICT TO GET THAT IN PLACE AS WELL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 9.
[13. Ordinance approving the acceptance of an additional $43,500.00 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area grant to increase the original fund award to the San Antonio HIDTA Initiative for the grant period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018. [Erik J. Walsh, Deputy City Manager; William P. McManus, Chief of Police]]
ITEM NO. 13.>> ITEM NO. 13 IS AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $43,500 FROM THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY FOR THE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA GRANT TO INCREASE THE ORIGINAL FUND AWARD TO THE SAN ANTONIO HIDTA INITIATIVE FOR THE GRANT PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> GONZALES: THANK YOU, CHIEF.
NOW I'M REMEMBERING A FEW MORE OF THE DETAILS ABOUT THIS.
SO THIS IS A GRANT, THE CONTINUATION OF A GRANT THAT WE ALREADY GOT SOME FUNDING.
HOW MUCH TOTAL AND HOW MUCH WILL WE CONTINUE TO GET MORE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM?
>> HIDTA HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 24 YEARS NOW.
THE INITIAL GRANT WAS $2 MILLION.
THE ADD-ON WAS ABOUT $43 MILLION, I THINK.
IF THEY HAVE EXTRA MONEY, TYPICALLY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DEAL IT OUT TO THE HIDTA UNITS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
>> GONZALES: I REMEMBER WE ARE ONE OF THESE DESIGNATED AREAS.
>> GONZALES: BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO AND THAT HELPS US TO FUND.
THERE WERE FIVE DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
>> GONZALES: THAT MAKE UP THAT AND HAVE ONE REPORTING AREA.
REMIND US OF SOME OF THE DETAILS.
>> IT'S BEXAR COUNTY DOWN TO BROWNSVILLE AND OVER TO DEL RIO.
AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THEY INVESTIGATE MID TO HIGH-LEVEL DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
THEY WORK ON ASSET FORFEITURE.
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST DRUG DEALING.
THERE'S MONEY LAUNDERING IN AUDIO]
>> GONZALES: AND WASN'T IT LIKE THE CIA OR THE FBI -- MAYBE NOT CIA.
BUT FBI AND DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT WERE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION?
IT'S THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF.
THERE'S AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE 81ST DISTRICT COURT.
THERE'S 14 INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED PERSONNEL THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE GRANT AS WELL.
>> GONZALES: AND DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE GRANT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH JUST NEXT YEAR?
>> GONZALES: ARE WE ALWAYS APPLYING FOR IT?
>> GONZALES: HOW MUCH HAVE WE GOTTEN, TOTAL?
>> THIS YEAR IT'S JUST OVER $2 MILLION.
>> GONZALES: IT GOES TO FUND POSITIONS?
>> IT FUNDS POSITIONS AND EQUIPMENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 13.
[14. Ordinance renaming "North Rio Grande" and "South Rio Grande" to "N Mel Waiters Way" and "S Mel Waiters Way", in Council District 2. [Roderick J. Sanchez, Assistant City Manager; Mike Shannon, Director, Development Services]]
MOTION CARRIES.>> ITEM NO. 14 IS AN ORDINANCE RENAMING NORTH RIO GRANDE AND SOUTH RIO GRANDE TO N. MEL WAITERS WAY AND SOUTH MEL WAITERS WAY IN COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 2.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
WE DO HAVE SOME CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
BUT MIKE, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND GIVE US OUR PRESENTATION AND WE'LL GET TO THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE STREET NAME CHANGE PROPOSAL FOR THIS ITEM.
WHERE IT STARTED, THE FISCAL IMPACT, AND THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE YOU.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THIS STARTED, SO IF YOU KNOW IN CHAPTER 6 OF OUR CITY CODE, THERE'S A PROCESS IF SOMEONE WANTS TO CHANGE THE STREET NAME.
THIS CAME FROM THE COUNCIL DISTRICT.
AND IT IS A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF OF STREET NORTH AND SOUTH RIO
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GRANDE TO NORTH AND SOUTH MEL WAITERS WAY DIVIDED BY EAST COMMERCE STREET.IT'S BETWEEN LARRY STREET AND RANGER.
IN COMMEMORATION OF MEL WAITERS, A LOCAL LEADER, PHILANTHROPIST, BLUES ARTIST FROM THAT AREA.
WHEN WE GET THAT REQUEST, WE START THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
AND IT'S DICTATED BY OUR CITY CODE.
WHAT WE DO, WE TAKE THAT INFORMATION.
WE COORDINATE WITH THE COUNCIL OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY.
WE HELD A COMMUNITY MEETING ON MARCH 15TH TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
IT IS A FULL STREET NAME WHERE ADDRESSES WOULD BE CHANGED.
SO WE ALSO HAD AN HDRC MEETING IN MARCH.
AND THEN ALSO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
ALL ALONG THE WAY AT THE TWO COMMISSION MEETINGS THEY WERE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.
THAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENT OF HAVING THE OPEN MEETINGS.
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION AT THOSE MEETINGS.
A FEW PEOPLE CAME IN OPPOSITION FOR VARIOUS REASONS.
BUT THAT'S WHAT BRINGS US HERE TODAY.
SO, AGAIN, I TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT'S DICTATED BY CODE.
SO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, WE'RE KIND OF THE FACILITATOR OF THAT PROCESS.
THERE ARE 57 ADDRESSES THAT WOULD BE CHANGED BY THIS PROPOSAL.
MOST OF THE 57 IS BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES THAT'S THERE.
THE REMAINING ADDRESSES ARE A FEW COMMERCIAL SITES, SIX RESIDENTIAL HOMES, A MED CLINIC, AND A SCHOOL.
WE SEND OUT NOTICES TO THE OWNERS.
LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING ON ALL OF THOSE MEETINGS THAT WE HAD.
WE ALSO SEND OUT TO ANYONE THAT IS ABUTTING THAT STRETCH OF PROPERTY.
THEY MAY NOT BE ADDRESSED OFF OF WHAT'S CURRENTLY NORTH AND SOUTH RIO GRANDE, BUT THEY ABUT IT, SO THEY GET NOTIFIED AS WELL, AS WELL AS THE THREE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.
HARVARD PLACE, DENVER HEIGHTS, AND JEFFERSON HEIGHTS.
THE OTHER PART OF THE PROCESS IS A TECHNICAL REVIEW.
WE DO REACH OUT TO THOSE TECHNICAL AGENCIES LISTED THERE.
FOR EXAMPLE, POST OFFICE, BEXAR COUNTY METRO 9-1-1.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGE DOESN'T CREATE ANY SAFETY ISSUES OR CONFUSION THROUGH THE POST OFFICE.
WE GOT NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OR RESPONSES FROM THEM.
SO THOSE AGENCIES ARE OKAY WITH THIS PROPOSED CHANGE.
SO JUST TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD COST.
IT'S JUST UNDER $10,000 IS THE TOTAL COST IMPACT.
THE APPLICATION FEE IS $1,000.
THERE'S A NOTIFICATION FEE WHERE WE MAIL OUT ALL THESE NOTIFICATIONS.
MOST OF THE FEE THERE, ABOUT $8700 OF THAT IS THE SIGNAGAGE.
WE WOULD CHANGE THE SIGNS AROUND THESE AREAS.
SO THERE'S 27 GROUND-MOUNTED SIGNS.
THE STREET SIGNS WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED.
A COUPLE OF ILLUMINATED SIGNS AROUND TOWN, AND TWO SIGNS AT THE SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION.
SO THOSE SIGNS WOULD BE PAID BY THE COUNCIL DISTRICT FUNDS.
IF THIS IS APPROVED, WE WOULD GO FORWARD WITH THAT.
SO IN SUMMARY, WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE STREET NAME CHANGE FROM THE NORTH AND SOUTH RIO GRANDE STREET TO NORTH AND SOUTH MEL WAITERS WAY BETWEEN LARRY AND RANGER STREETS.
AGAIN, WE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS AS DICTATED IN CHAPTER 6 OF OUR CODE AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MIKE.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND HEAR FROM CITIZENS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM FIRST.
I'LL BEGIN WITH GLORIA WALKER.
TO BEGIN WITH, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT MY NAME IS GLORIA BLANKS WALKER AND MY PROPERTY ABUTS THE RIO GRANDE STREET.
I AM THE RESIDENT AT 1659 GORMAN STREET.
AND WE HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE 1955.
FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I AM TOO VERY PROUD OF MEL WAITERS AND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
I ENJOYED HIS MUSIC BUT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THE STREET CHANGE.
RIO GRANDE STREET HOLDS A LOT OF HISTORY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS GOING TO POSE SOME FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE PEOPLE THAT OWN BUSINESSES IN THE AREA.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THE STREET AS IT IS.
BUT IF, IN FACT, IT MUST BE CHANGED, WE HAVE TWO WAR HEROES THAT LIVE WITHIN 150 YARDS.
MY FATHER SERVED 26 YEARS FOR THIS COUNTRY, RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS, WAS WOUNDED IN THREE WARS.
HE SERVED IN WORLD WAR II, THE
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KOREAN CONFLICT, AND VIETNAM.HE RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN AWARD.
I WILL NOT BURDEN THIS COUNCIL WITH THE MANY, THE LITANY OF AWARDS THAT HE RECEIVED.
ALSO A PERSON THAT LIVED WITHIN 150 YARDS IS OUR OWN TUSKEGEE AIRMAN THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH IS THOMAS ELLIS.
HE WAS A TUSKEGEE AIRMAN, FOUNDER OF THE ELLIS TRIO.
HE WAS THERE UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO.
I DON'T WANT TO POSE A BURDEN ON THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN THAT COMMUNITY.
I ALSO DON'T FEEL THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE IT AT THIS POINT.
IF WE ARE, I AM PETITIONING FOR THE STREET TO BE NAMED FOR A WAR HERO IN THIS CITY THAT IS MILITARY CITY.
THERE ARE ALSO SIX STUDENTS THAT INTEGRATED THAT SCHOOL ON THE CORNER OF RIO GRANDE AND TYNEEN IN 1955.
THERE ARE SOME FOLKS IN THAT GROUP THAT DESERVE TO BE HONORED ON THAT CORNER ALSO.
I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THEM HONORING THEIR FAMILY MEMBER.
I AM NOT OPPOSED TO ANYONE FEELING REVERENCE TO THEIR LOVED ONES.
WE ARE STILL ON THE CORNER OF GORMAN AND RIO GRANDE.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME THIS MORNING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. WALKER.
MY NAME IS LAURA MILLS AND I STAND HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR MY PASTOR, REVEREND ANDREW WILSON, 715 SOUTH RIO GRANDE.
AND ALSO FOR THE VOICES OF THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED THAT RESIDE AT 651 SOUTH RIO GRANDE.
AS STATED BEFORE, WE DO APPLAUD AND WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEL WAITERS.
HE DID AN AWESOME JOB AND WE'RE PROUD OF HIM.
BUT WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THE PLEA OF THE PEOPLE THAT RESIDE ON THAT STREET.
WE HAVE SOME ELDERLY THAT ASKED THE QUESTION, YES YOU MAY ASSIST US IN PAYING BUT WHO IS GOING TO TAKE ME TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD WHEN I HAVE TO CHANGE THAT INFORMATION? OR TO THE DPS OFFICE AND TO MY BANKS? SO WE'RE ASKING YOU TO LISTEN TO THE PLEA OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ASKING YOU TO LET IT REMAIN THAT.
WE ARE LOOKING AT AND ASKING MAYBE WE CAN FIND A BALANCED MEDIUM.
MAKE IT A MEMORIAL WAY FOR HIM.
STILL ACKNOWLEDGING HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WE KNOW THAT IT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE JUST NOT TOO LONG AGO A COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER FOR A WELL-RENOWNED, OUR VERY OWN ARCHBISHOP PATRICK FLORES.
INSTEAD OF CHANGING THE STREET, THEY MADE A MEMORIAL WAY, WHICH IS A GREAT IMPACT.
BECAUSE THE QUESTION IS ASKED, WHO IS THIS MAN THAT THE COMMUNITY THINK ENOUGH OF HIM TO MAKE IT A MEMORIAL WAY? SO WE'RE ASKING THE SAME THING.
STILL ACKNOWLEDGING HIM, GIVING HIM HIS RECOGNITION THAT HE DESERVES.
BUT LET IT REMAIN AS RIO GRANDE, THAT IT WON'T INCONVENIENCE THOSE THAT IT WOULD
>> HELLO I OWN AND LIVE ON SOUTH RIO GRANDE STREET.
I'M HERE AGAINST THE NAME CHANGE.
FOR THE FACT THAT I AM A PROPERTY OWNER.
IT'S GOING TO DIRECTLY AFFECT ME AND MY FIVE CHILDREN.
THEY HAVE ALREADY LEARNED AND KNOW THEIR ADDRESS FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT NOT TO MENTION MOSTLY I HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WHO DOES KNOW HER ADDRESS BUT SHE CAN NEVER RETAIN OTHER PHONE NUMBERS.
FOR SOME REASON SHE KNOWS SHE LIVES ON 811 SOUTH RIO GRANDE STREET.
IF ANYTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO HER SHE KNOWS WHERE SHE LIVES.
FIRST THING SHE ASKS ME, WHERE ARE WE MOVING? I SAID NO, NO, IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN TO A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY REAR-ENDED IN HER MIND.
NOT ONLY THAT, I FEEL IT'S NOT FAIR THAT ANY OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE NAME CHANGE, THEY DON'T LIVE ON RIO GRANDE STREET.
SO FOR THAT FACT, SPEAKING TO ALL OF MY NEIGHBORS, WE ARE ALL
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AGAINST IT, I DON'T SEE THAT AS APPROPRIATE THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THE 40 CITIZENS WHO DIFFER IN THE SENIOR CITIZEN HOME CANNOT BE HER TO OPINIONATE THEIR DECISION.THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO DIRECTLY BE AFFECTED, AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY ARE GOING TO LEAVE, AND THEY WILL WIN A VICTORY, BUT I HAVE TO SEE THE STREET SIGN I LIVE THERE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND MY CHILDREN'S LIFE AND ANY TIME I FILL OUT MY DEMOGRAPHICS, IT'S GOING TO AFFECT US FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES AND IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPSET EFFECT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU.
JOSEPH OLIERE? MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMES, I'M AN ACTUAL RESIDENT ON THE SOUTHERN PART OF SOUTH RIO GRANDE, 819 SOUTH RIO GRANDE.
I OPPOSED TO THE CHANGE MYSELF.
AND AS SHERRI SAID, THERE SHOULD BE AN ALTERNATIVEER WAY, LIKE A MEMORIAL LIKE SHE WAS SAYING TO RECOGNIZE THIS JABU TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THE STREET ADDRESS, I DON'T BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CHANGED.
>> THANK YOU, WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP COURTNEY AND BRITTANY WAITERS.
YOU ALL HAVE A GROUP OF 26 FOLKS.
I WAS TOLD YOU ALL WANT TO COME UP TOGETHER? MISS WAITERS, IF YOU ALL ARE GOING TO SPEAK TOGETHER, YOU'LL HAVE NINE MINUTES.
OTHERWISE, IF YOU'RE SPEAKING INDIVIDUALLY -- JUST ONE? OKAY, SO YOU'LL HAVE NINE MINUTES.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I JUST WANT TO SAY, GOOD MORNING.
I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU JUST HAVING MOMENT TO JUST LISTEN TO US AND VOTE ON THIS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY FOR US.
THIS IS OUR SECOND TIME COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK.
WE STARTED THE PROCESS AS SOME OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, LAST -- COUNCILMAN OF DISTRICT 2.
OUR POSITION, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MY FATHER INSTILLED IN ME, KNOWING THAT TO PATTER WHAT IT IS THAT YOU WANT, DESPITE OF, JUST GO AND GET IT AND GO THROUGH WITH IT.
AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, MY FATHER, HE EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION, BEING BORN AND HAVING TO BE RAISED BY HIS GRANDPARENTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M PRETTY SURE HE WASN'T THE FIRST, BUT THAT'S OPPOSITION.
GOING ON TO -- GOING ON TO CHASE HIS DREAM, FAILING HIS FIRST TEST, TO BE ABLE TO WORK AT THE RADIO STATION, BUT WHAT DID HE DO? HE CONTINUED AND HE WENT ON.
HE TRAVELED ALL OVER, MADE AN IMPACT IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WORKING AT'SAM, KEDA, THAT WAS HIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE RADIO.
HE WAS ALSO AT SCAPE AND HE GAVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND LIKE I SAID, AT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FT. SAM HOUSTON.
EXCUSE ME, I APOLOGIZE, BECAUSE I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.
WHILE HE WAS THERE, HE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I WANT TO KEEP GOING FURTHER.
HE TOOK HIS DREAM ON, AND HE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAND A RECORD DEAL WITH A HISTORICAL COMPANY, WHICH IS NOW -- IT'S CALLED MALICHO.
HE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY MADE AN IMPACT ALL OVER.
ONCE HE FINISHED THERE, HE KNEW THAT HE HAD TO MAKE AN IMPACT BACK IN HIS COMMUNITY, DWRIEFING IT BACK HOME.
STILL TO THIS DAY, NO MATTER WHERE I GO, NO MATTER WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE HIGHER UP, OR NO MATTER THEIR POSITION IN LIFE OR WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR -- THEIR WALK IN LIFE.
THEY TOLD ME STORIES ABOUT MY FATHER AND WHO HE WAS AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
MY FATHER IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EAST SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO.
I ALSO WANT TO TOUCH ON THE FACT THAT HE IS OUT OF THE HEART OF THE EAST SERIES.
[01:35:02]
SOME OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT REMEMBER, THE NEWS AT THAT TIME WOULD TALK ABOUT AND GLORIFY A LOT OF BAD THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT, BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, AS ONE OF OUR OPPOSERS JUST MENTIONED, THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE THAT CAME OUT OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS JUST SOMETHING TO SAY, THIS IS ONE OF OUR OWN.THERE ARE DOCTORS, LAWYERS, EDUCATORS, MILITARY VETERANS, AND ALL WE'RE DOING, WE'RE REPRESENTING, SAYING, HEY, I KNOW MEL WAITERS AND LITERALLY THEY KNEW HIM.
NO MATTER HOW BIG HE GOT, NO MATTER HOW SUCCESSFUL HE WAS, THEY CAN GO AND TAP HIM ON HIS SHOULDER AND RECALL ACTUAL INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT MY FAMILY AND I, AND THESE SUPPORTER, WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS, NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME AROUND WE DID EVERYTHING THAT WAS ASKED, AND ALSO, THE FIRST.
SOMETIMES WE GOT CHASED BY DOGS BUT THE FIRST TIME WE TALKED THOSE STREETS WE GOT THOSE PETITIONS.
WE KNOCKED ON DOORS AND, YES, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM ALL OF THE RESIDENTS -- EXCUSE ME, FROM A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS ON SOUTH AND NORTH RIO GRANDE.
NOW, THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME AND WE'VE ALSO LEFT ANY DOCUMENTATION, DOOR HANGERS, CONTACTS E-MAIL ADDRESS, SO, THE FLOOR HAS BEEN OPEN TO HAVE DIALOGUE.
IF ANYTHING ELSE, BEFORE I LEAVE AND I APOLOGIZE, I KNOW WE HAVE NINE MINUTES, I JUST ASK THAT YOU JUST PLEASE CONSIDER MEL WAITERS WAY, FOR MY FATHER'S GENERATION.
IT WILL SAY JOB WELL DONE FOR PEERS, AS MYSELF, AND THE YOUTH, IT WILL SAY, IT CAN BE DONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MISS WAITERS.
>> MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S FIRST ALLIANCE, WHICH MOST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THAT AREA OF PART OF.
WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR, COUNCILMAN SHAW, TWO YEARS AGO WHEN MR. WARRICK WAS HERE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM ALL OF THE BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA.
AS SHE STATED WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR.
WE DON'T HAVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES TO LOOK UP TO AND TO SAY THAT THAT PERSON CAME OUT OF SAN ANTONIO.
MALE WAI MEL WAITERS WAS AN AMBASSADOR THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH AND THROUGHOUT THE CHITLIN CIRCUIT.
WE FOLLOWED THE PROCESS, TALKED TO THOSE SENIOR SCITIZENS IN THT COMPLEX AND MOST OF THEM SUPPORT THE PROCESS.
WE DO HAVE A RESIDENT, ROSIE BACA FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S FIRST ALLIANCE.
THIS IS THE WOMAN THAT GAVE HER MOST OF THE SIGNATURES.
IMHELPED WITH THE PETITION AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A PLUS TO SEE A DIFFERENT PERSON ON A SIGN THAT WAS A PLUS TO THE EAST SIDE AND I AM AREA OF THE EAST TERRACE HILLS AND I KNOW THE AREA PARTICULARLY, THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, AGAIN WE GREET YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I STAND BEFORE YOU, I AM MERCEDES FULLER, THE GODSON OF MELVIN AND PORCHE WAITERS BUT I'M ALSO AN EDUCATOR IN THIS FINE CITY.
ONE THING IS TROUBLING TO ME, A LOT OF FOCUS WITH OUR CURRICULUM IS ON TESTING ASSESSMENTS AND A LOT OF OUR SOCIAL SKILLS THAT OUR STUDENTS NEED TO MATRICULATE OUR SOCIETY IS LACKING.
AS SEVENTH GRADE OR SIXTH GRADE TEACHER WHICH I ASK STUDENTS WHO THEY LOOK UP, THEY DON'T MENTION LOCAL HEROES.
THEY DON'T MENTION PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM.
THEY DON'T MENTION PEOPLE THEY CAN REACH OUT AND TOUCH.
THEY MENTION CELEBRITIES, BASKETBALL PLAYERS, RAP ARTISTS BUT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE PEOPLE LOCALLY THEY CAN ASPIRE TO BE LIKE.
WHEN RERENAME A STREET TO COMMEMORATE A FIGURE SUCH AS MEL WAITERS.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS MORE THAN THE HERE AND NOW.
WE ARE GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM, WHERE THEY SAY THEY COME FROM, THEY CAN TAKE PRIDE THIS THE FACT THAT THEY KNOW, THAT, HEY, MEL WAITERS LIVED ON THIS STREET.
MEL WAITERS LIVED IN MY CITY AND HE WAS A CHILD THAT HAD A DREAM, AND I HAVE A DREAM, AND BECAUSE HIS DREAM CAME TRUE, I BELIEVE MINE COULD COME TRUE AS WELL.
WHEN WE RENAME STREETS IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT COMMEMORATING THE PAST.
IT'S NOT ABOUT CELEBRATING THE PRESENT, BUT IT'S ALSO GIVING US SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BELIEVE IN FOR OUR FUTURE AND WHEN I STAND HERE TODAY, I'M NOT JUST
[01:40:02]
STANDING HERE THINKING ABOUT MYSELF, I'M NOT STANDING HER THINKING ABOUT MY FAMILY OR THE EFFORTS THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH OVER THE LAST FEW YEAR, I'M THINKING ABOUT THOSE CHILDREN THAT SIT IN OUR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.THEY ARE SITTING IN CLASSROOMS RIGHT NOW TAKING S.T.A.A.R.
EXAMS, WHEN YOU ASK THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, THEY NEED FIGURES THEY CAN ASPIRE TO LIVE UP TO.
MY NAME IS ANTHONY EDWARDS AND I'M A GREAT FRIEND OF MEL WAITERS.
I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU IF YOU'VE EVER GONE TO A MEL WAITERS CONCERT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE GOING TO AN EVANGELICAL EVENT.
EVERY ONE OF HIS PRODUCTIONS, THERE WAS ALWAYS A SONG BY THE CANTON SPIRITUALS, CALLED "I MADE IT." AND I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HE DID.
I WANT TO SAY THIS ONE LAST STORY, TOO.
I REMEMBER GOING WITH HIM FOR HIS CHEMO THERAPY SESSIONS, ONE TIME AT NORTHEAST BAPTIST HOSPITAL AND HE HAD RENAL FAILURE AND HE HAD A CONCERT IN SCHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA AND HE CONVINCED HIS DOCTORS TO LET HIM GO.
SO HE WENT TO THAT CONCERT, GOT SICK, CAME BACK HOME, WENT TO NORTHEAST BAPTIST HOSPITAL AND HE DIED ABOUT FIVE OR SIX DAYS LATER.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY HERE, HE WAS A MAN OF CONVICTION.
HE HAD GUYS IN HIS BAND, HE NEEDED TO HAVE THEM PAID AND HE FELT HE NEEDED TO RISE UP TO THAT OCCASION.
SO, THAT'S A MAN WITH TREMENDOUS QUALITY AND VIGOR AND I URGE ALL OF YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF HONORING THIS ICON FOR SAN ANTONIO.
>> MR. MAYOR, I KNOW THERE WERE FOUR PEOPLE, CRUZ SHAW THAT CAME UP AND SAID.
BUT I THINK FOR THE RECORD YOU NEED TO SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE SIGNED IN FAVOR FOR THAT TODAY, AND WE HAVE A BUS LOAD OF PEOPLE HERE TODAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL, VERY MUCH.
I'LL TURN NOW TO MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMAN SHAW.
>> SHAW: PORCHE AND BRITTANY, DON'T GO ANYWHERE, YOU ALL STAY UP HERE.
WHEN WE FIRST BET ABOUT THIS -- THIS IS FOR MY COLLEAGUES.
WHEN WE FIRST MET ABOUT THIS PROCESS THERE WAS A LOT OF RECONCEPTIONS AND A LOT OF MISLEADING IN TERMS OF THIS PROCESS AND YOU ALL SAT WITH ME AND MY STAFF AND D-2 STAFF.
WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION, I SAW THE FIRE IN YOUR EYES.
YOU WERE UPSET, BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU PUSHED FORWARD.
WE WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WEREN'T MISLED AGAIN.
I WANTED TO -- EVERYTHING SAID TODAY, I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING MORE BECAUSE YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
AND OUR COMMUNITIES SLOWLY START TO CHANGE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AT THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF DISTRICT 2 REMAINS.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE KIDS THAT GO TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND THEY WALK HOME AND SEE THOSE NAMES, THEY LOOK UP WHO THAT PERSON IS, AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY LOOK JUST LICK ME.
THEY CAME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, THEY HELPED RAISE THEM.
SO, AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES, TOO.
THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING.
I WANTED TO APPLAUD YOU EVEN LOUDER BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU ORGANIZED, THE WAY YOU WENT OUT, YOU WALKED THE STREETS.
YOU TALKED TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOU TALKED TO FAMILY.
YOU TALKED TO FRIENDS AND YOU MADE SURE THIS HAPPENED.
YOU OVERCAME THE CHALLENGE, AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, YOU ARE WINNERS.
I AM SO PROUD TO MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THIS LINE ITEM.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 14.
IF YOU TELL ME YOUR DAD WAS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY AND HE'S REMEMBERED FOR VALUES, THAT HE INSTILLED IN YOU AND VALUES FOR WHICH HE STOOD FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY, THAT'S WHY WE NAME STREETS, RIGHT? AND A STREET NAMED RIO GRANDE, NICE RIVER YOU GOT THERE AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT RIVER, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY OF SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S NOT EVEN A RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH HERE.
AND IT DOESN'T REALLY SAY MUCH ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, RIGHT? AND DOESN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE.
WE NAME THINGS AFTER PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.
[01:45:01]
BUT, THE IDEA BEHIND NAMES THINGS, IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO HONOR THOSE FOLKS FOR THEIR SERVICE BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO SAY, IN CASE SOMEBODY ASKS US, WHO WAS BONNIE CONNOR, RIGHT, OR WHO WAS TRAVIS, YOU KNOW, AND WHO WAS MR. HEEB MR. HEEBER IN ON T NORTH SIDE OF TOWN.YOU SAY THIS IS WHAT THEY DID.
IF YOU LOOK AT BASSEY STREET, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S NAMED AFTER A GUY WHO OWNED A GROCERY STORE, RIGHT? I THINK EVERYBODY AGREED HE DID SOMETHING TERRIFIC.
YOU LOOK AT WURZBACH, WEHE WAS LOCAL LAWYER, GENERAL MCMALLON AND FLOYD CURL.
MY HOPE WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT SIGN AND SAY, MEL WAITERS WAY, RIGHT, THAT'S THAT SOMEBODY WILL BE ABLE TO SAY YOU LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE MEL WAITERS WAY, RIGHT, OF LIVING YOUR LIFE AND OF TREATING PEOPLE AND LIVING YOUR VALUES EVERY DAY, SO YOU'RE GOING TO GET MY SUPPORT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ, COUNCILMAN COURAGE?
>> COURAGE: I WANT TO CONCUR WITH WHAT WE HEARD FROM COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
I THINK IT'S A CREDIT TO YOUR COMMUNITY THAT YOU HAD SO MANY PEOPLE GET ON BOARD TO SUPPORT THIS.
AS YOU SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF STREETS NAMED FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NORTH SIDE, AND A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE DID A LOT TO HELP THIS CITY GROW.
BUT YOU MADE THIS CITY -- YOUR FATHER HATE THIS CITY LIVEABLE AND MADE IT THE KIND OF CITY THAT PEOPLE CAN BE PROUD OF, BECAUSE THEY WENT ON TO DO OTHER THINGS AND BECOME NOTABLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
BECAUSE THEY WERE RAISED HERE AND THEY LEARNED HOW TO PERFORM OR TO TEACH, OR TO DO SO MANY OTHER THING, EVEN SERVE IN THE MILITARY, SO I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE, AND CHANGING A RIVER NAME TO A PERSON'S NAME IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
SO I COMMEND YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DID ON THAT AND I CERTAINLY WILL SUPPORT IT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MISS WAITERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND WORK WITH YOUR DAD WHEN I WAS AT THE RADIO STATION AT KRT WHERE WE PLAYED JAZZ AND A LITTLE BIT OF BLUES.
HE WAS AN AFFABLE MAN, AN HONORABLE MAN, A MAN OF GREAT TALENT AND I APPRECIATE THE OTHER CITIZENS WHO CAME UP AND REMINDED US, THERE IS REALLY NO CHECKBOOKS F BOX /* FOR THIS.
THERE'S JUST A FEELING FROM THE COMMUNITY IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
THEY'RE HONORABLE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WE LOOK UP TO.
SOME PEOPLE ARE MUSICIANS, SOME ARE SOLDIERS, SOME ARE POLITICIANS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY THESE PEOPLE ARE LEADERS.
I'M VERY HONORED TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND COUNCILMAN SHAW TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT IT IS A STREET NAME CHANGE, WHILE IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE YOU CAN LOOK AT THE SIGN AND BE PROUD.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND OUR BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
SO, WITH THAT THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 14.
[01:50:01]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
WE HAVE A FEW MORE ITEMS LEFT ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.
[23. City Manager's Report]
SO WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO -- I'M SORRY, THERE IS JUST THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT AND WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM FROM THE YOUTH COMMISSION AFTER THAT.>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, TODAY WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT A SPECIAL NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM ONE OF OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF HELPS.
MIKE FRISBIE, OUR CITY ENGINEER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: AS FOLKS LEAVE THE CHAMBER, IF YOU COULD KEEP THE VOLUME DOWN, WE HAVE SOMEONE WE WANT TO EMBARRASS A LITTLE BIT UP HERE.
>> SO, THIS SUNDAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE PUBLIC WORKS ARENA AND EACH YEAR, DURING PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, NAMES THEIR TOP TEN PUBLIC WORKS LEADERS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AND COVETED HONORS AWARDED BY APWA AND RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING CAREER SERVICE ACHIEVEMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS IN NORTH AMERICA.
I'M HONORED TO SAY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION HAS NAMED OUR OWN MIKE FRISBIE WHO WE KNOW IS OUR CITY ENERGY AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS DIRECTOR A TOP TEN PUBLIC WORKS LEADER FOR 2018.
MIKE -- MIKE HAS 30 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR THREE DIFFERENT CITIES AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF RECRUITING MIKE TO SAN ANTONIO AND HIRED HIM IN 2007 AS CITY ENERGY AND DIRECTOR OF WHAT WAS CALLED AT THAT TIME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES OVER SEEING OUR FIRST SUCCESSFUL BIG BOND PROGRAM IN 2007 TOTALLING $550 MILLION.
IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO MAKE -- FOR MIKE TO MAKE A VERY FAVORABLE IMPRESSION ON HIS PEERS AND COLLEAGUES AND IN 2013 THE CITY COMBINED WHAT WE DID WAS COMBINED THE OLD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WITH THE SIMMS DEPARTMENT TO CREATE TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO OVERSEE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR RIGHT -OF-WAYS AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS LU ALSO TO OVERSEE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION.
WE HAD SEPARATED THAT OUT IN 2007 TO DEVOTE TIME AND ENERGY TO PROJECTS THAT HAD NOT BEEN COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE 2007 BOND PROGRAM AND TO ALSO UNDERTAKE THAT 2007 VOTER APPROVED PROGRAM.
MIKE HAS PROVEN TO BE A VERY STRONG AND RESPECTED LEADER INSIDE THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS IN THE COMMUNITY.
TCI, OUR TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL IMPROVED FRMENTS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS OR STREETS DRAINAGE, SIDEWALK FACILITIES AS WELL AS VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, SOME OF THE BIG ONES JUST TO NAME THE CONVENTION CENTER OF COURSE, THE ALAMODOME RENOVATIONS AND AIRPORT CONSOLIDATED CAR RENTAL FACILITY.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE MOST VOTER APPROVED 2017 BOND PROGRAM, WE WILL HAVE CONSTRUCTED NEARLY $2 BILLION IN NEW STREETS, SIDEWALKS, PARKS, LIBRARIES, FIRE STATIONS AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE APPROVED BY OUR VOTERS.
MIKE IS OF COURSE WELL THROWN HERE AT CITY HALL, I KNOW HE MEETS WITH MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS REGULARLY TO GIVE UPDATES ON CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
THE 2017 BOND PROGRAM ALONE HAS MORE THAN 180 SEPARATE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW HIS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION IN THE COMMUNITY.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE TODAY JILL MARILEE, SHE IS HERE REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
SHE'S THE PRESIDENT ELECT AND TRAVELED FROM SEATTLE TO BE WITH US TODAY TO HELP IN CELEBRATING THIS ACHIEVEMENT.
WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY SO WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE MIKE AND I HAVE A BIG PLAQUE, I WOULD SAY A SMALL PLAQUE, BUT IT'S NOT SMALL.
IT'S A BIG PLAQUE, BECAUSE IT'S A BIG ACHIEVEMENT SO, MIKE, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
[01:56:00]
>> WELL, THIS IS ONLY GOING TO HAPPEN ONCE IN A CAREER.
SO I GOT TO SAY A FEW WORDS AND GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.
HALF OF YOU ARE WONDERING HOW THIS EVEN HAPPENED BUT IT DID HAPPEN.
I'M EXCITED BECAUSE THE TEAM ASPECT OF THIS.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU IT'S A BIG HONOR TO BE CITY ENGINEER AND DIRECTOR OF TCI.
WE HAVE A SAMPLING OF TCI HERE.
SO, A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE HERE.
I DO WANT TO THANK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
WE ALSO HAVE GRADY BREN P BENTON AND LINDA HOUGH IN THE FRONT.
I KNOW YOU ALL THOUGHT I WAS A MILLENNIAL UNTIL SHERYL SAID I HAD 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE.
>> THREE CITY, THREE MUNICIPAL, THREE STATES AND PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE.
I THANK GOD FOR MY CAREER, FOR ALL OF THE SUCCESS, AND, YOU KNOW, WE ALL NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR PRIORITIES IN LIFE ARE, AND FOR ME, IT STARTS WITH MY FAITH IN GOD THROUGH MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST, AND SECOND IS MY FAMILY, KEEPING THAT A PRIORITY, AND THIRD, IS REALLY -- THIRD IS CRITICAL AND THAT IS WORK.
WORK THIRD, AND HOBBIES WHICH I RARELY GET TO IS FOURTH.
BUT WORK EVEN BEING THIRD, IT IS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS, OBVIOUSLY, FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE CITY AND OUR RESIDENTS, THE SUCCESS IN THE HOME LIFE AS WELL.
BUT I WANT TO SHARE THREE KEYS TO MY SUCCESS AS I LOOK BACK, AND MAYBE IT WILL HELP INFLUENCE OTHERS.
BUT EACH DAY, I TRY WHEN I WAKE UP AND GET UP, TO THANK GOD FOR THE DAY, AND ASK HIM TO REPLACE MY THOUGHTS, MY WORDS AND MY ACTIONS WITH HIS.
HIS WISDOM IS WAY BETTER THAN MINE FOR SURE.
NUMBER TWO, I KEEP FAMILY A PRIORITY.
MY WIFE, LISA, IS NOT HERE THIS MORNING, BUT SHE WILL BE CELEBRATING THIS WITH ME, 27 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.
MY COLLEGE BOYS, JACOB AND ZACH, AND 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, MACY, IT'S A CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY.
BUT, THE OTHER KEY IS, I SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE SMARTING THAN ME AT WORK.
I KNOW YOU'RE THINKING THAT'S NOT HARD TO DO.
BUT LET ME POINT OUT SOME FOLKS RIGHT HERE THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ARE KEY.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS PAUL BARRY, CHRISTIE CHAPMAN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.
I MEAN THAT'S JUST THE FRONT ROW.
IT JUST GOES DEEPER AND DEEPER.
TCI, WE HAVE LEADERS OF ALL LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION LIKE WE DO THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
BUT WE WORK WITH OUR CLIENT DEPARTMENTS, WE WORK WITH PRIVATE SECTOR DESIGN FIRMS IN SAN ANTONIO AND CONTRACTORS TO GET IT DONE.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT 11 YEARS AGO, WHEN I COMPETED FOR THIS POSITION, I DID SO BECAUSE I KNEW SHERYL WAS A BIG INVESTOR IN INFRASTRUCTURE.
SHE WOULD BE ROBUST ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT'S THE KIND OF CITY THAT I WANTED TO BE A PART OF.
AND I REMEMBER IN THE FINAL INTERVIEW WITH SHERYL, I HAD GOTTEN TO KNOW THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE BEAUTIFUL CITY AND ALL THERE WAS TO DO HERE.
I GOT TO KNOW THE CITY ITSELF AND WORKINGS AND I TOLD HER, I SAID SHERYL, FROM EVERYTHING I CAN TELL THIS IS MY DREAM JOB.
SOMETIMES IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DREAM THAN OTHERS, BUT IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A DREAM JOB
[02:00:01]
OVERALL.BUT, YOU KNOW, SO SHERYL HAS RECOMMENDED THESE ROBUST PROGRAMS, BOND PROGRAMS AND -- -- YEAR IN, AND YEAR OUT BUT IT'S THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE APPROVED THOSE PROGRAMS. MANY OF THOSE -- WE KNOW WHO IS ON TOP OF THE CHART, IT'S THE RESIDENTS AND RESIDENTS HAVE PROVED TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN A BIG WAY THOSE BOND PROGRAMS. FOR ME, THIS IS A HUGE HONOR BUT FOR ME THIS IS A COMMUNITY AWARD FOR SURE.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND THANK YOU FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DON'T GO ANYWHERE, MIKE.
THANK YOU, MIKE FRISBIE, VERY MUCH, AND THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY, YOUR WIFE AND YOUR KIDS, WHO SACRIFICE THEIR TIME WITH YOU SO YOU CAN BE ANSWERING THE CALLS WHEN WE CALL, THAT YOU DO THE NUANCE THINGS THAT WE ASK, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS THAT YOU DO.
SO, NOT ONLY ARE YOU OUR GREAT CITY ENGINEER, BUT THE WAY THAT YOU WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR RESIDENTS AND YOUR STAFF IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ALL COMMEND.
SO, I WANT TO THANK SHERYL, FIRST, FOR HIRIE HIM AND THEN THANK YOU FOR STAYING HERE AND BEING HERE IN SAN ANTONIO.
BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THIS CITY.
SO WE NEED TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
BUT CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE AND HAVING GREAT STAFF AND A GREAT TEAM THAT'S HERE.
PUBLIC WORKS ALWAYS HAS A SOFT SPOT IN MY HEART BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE MY DAD RETIRED FROM, 40 YEARS.
AND I KNOW YOU HAVE GREAT PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE THOUSAND WHO DO GREAT WORK, SO, CONGRATULATIONS AND A VERY GREAT PICK FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> BROCKHOUSE: MIKE, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE CAUGHT EACH OTHER'S EYES AT THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.
YOU WERE STANDING IN THE CORNER AND YOU SHOWED UP.
IT DIDN'T REALLY DAWN ON ME AND I HEAR YOU SPEAK TODAY ABOUT WHAT YOUR FAITH DOES FOR YOU, AND IT'S REALLY INSPIRING AND I THINK WHEN YOU COME UP HERE AND YOU PROFESS THAT AND TESTIFY -- YOU OFFER YOUR TESTIMONY ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS.
I LOVE THAT YOU STARTED WITH THAT.
AND DON'T THINK THAT DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED AND IT'S NOT MUCH NEEDED IN OUR GOVERNMENT, IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I'M GLAD YOU PROCLAIM THAT UP FRONT.
AND, MAN, I ADMIRE THAT ABOUT YOU.
AND I ADMIRE THAT'S THE FIRST WORDS OUT OF YOUR MOUTH SO THANK YOU TORE THAT.
AND THE SECOND MARKER I LOVE ABOUT YOU, THESE PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP FOR YOU.
SOMETIMES -- WELL, NOT SOMETIMES.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE BEHIND THEM, RIGHT? YOU COULD BE LEADING THE ORGANIZATION BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHO YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HIRED, RIGHT, PROBABLY SPEAK THE BIGGEST VOLUME OF -- THE BIGGEST TESTIMONY TO YOUR SUC SUCCESS.
THE FACT THEY SHOWED UP AND HAVE SMILES ON THEIR FACES AND THEY ARE CLAPPING LOUD, THAT IS IMPRESSIVE, RIGHT? AND THEN TO COME DOWN THE SECOND PIECE -- OR, THIRD PIECE IS, I LOVE WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME WITH THE DEBATE AND POLITICS AND DIFFICULTIES OF THINGS WE GET INTO UP HERE, HOW DO I PLAN ON GETTING THINGS DONE IN THE DISTRICT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DISAGREE.
AND I SAY IT'S BECAUSE I GET TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT, IT'S THE STAFF THAT'S GOING TO CARRY IT THROUGH.
YOU HOLD NO EGO ABOUT WHO YOU DEAL WITH.
THEY TREAT ME THE SAME AS THEY DO EVERY ONE OF US REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR THING WE'RE FIGHTING ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR WEEK.
I KNOW I CAN WALK INTO YOUR OFFICE.
I CAN CATCH YOU AND EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WILL TREAT ME JUST AS WELL AS ANYBODY ELSE AND THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR LEADERSHIP, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU OPEN UP THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO JUST SERVE AND DO THE GOOD WORKS AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WE ARE, EXCEPT TO YOUR TEAM I GOT TO SAY THANK YOU, TOO.
BECAUSE YOU SAID IT TO ME WHEN WE HAD THAT MOMENT IN THE BATHROOM OVER THERE, AND YOU SAID IT'S REALLY MY TEAM.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE THE MEA MEETING.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE THE MEETING.
THIS GUY WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU WITH ME IN THE BATHROOM.
SO, THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY.
THEY ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS A SHEPHERD.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR AS LONG AS I GET TO
[02:05:01]
SIT UP HERE AND FUTURE SUCCESSES OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.THANK YOU PORE ALL YOU DO ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 6, WE'RE PROUD OF YOU CHERISH YOU AND ARE PROUD OF YOUR SUCCESS
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> GONZALES: MIKE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
I THINK THE WORDS FROM YOUR PEERS IS GREATEST TEMP TESTAMEN ALL.
IT ENCOURAGING YOU TO KEEP WORKING WHEN THINGS GET CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULT.
I KNOW I HAD A OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AT LEAST IN MY DISTRICT AND YOU'VE ALWAYS CONDUCTED YOURSELF WITH RESPECT AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S DIFFICULT TO BE KIND AT TIMES, AND YOU'VE ALWAYS MANAGED TO RISE ABOVE THAT, AND BE SUCH A PROFESSIONAL AND I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT YOU.
SO I THINK THIS REWARD IS VERY WELL DESERVED AND TO YOUR TEAM WHO WORKS SO HARD FOR US EVERY DAY.
AS WE GO THROUGH OUR BUDGET SESSIONS, WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH IT AGAIN SOON ENOUGH, THE PRIORITY THAT RISES TO THE TOP ALL OF THE TIME IS INFRASTRUCTURE.
PEOPLE STILL JUST WANT THE BASIC THING, STREETS, DRAINAGE, MAINTENANCE, AND I THINK WE DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF THAT WITH YOU AT THE TOP.
SO, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, MIKE AND I'M SURE THAT IT'S A MUCH, MUCH DESERVED AWARD, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU IN THIS, AND SO CONGRATULATIONS.
>>> THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
>> SALDANA: MIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.
I WOULD LIKE TO START WHERE WE BEGAN.
WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU WERE A MUCH DIFFERENT PERSON.
I WHATN'T TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE CROWD THAT'S HERE TODAY.
>> SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME.
>> SALDANA: YOU SEE, AFTER MILLIONS, PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF LANES OF STREETS AND ROADWAYS.
>> SALDANA: SEVERAL DECADES -- A DOZEN COUNCIL MEMBERS DEALING WITH THE MANAGERS' STAFF, HE'S LOST A LITTLE UP NORTH.
IN FACT YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO LEFT OR RIGHT.
THERE'S DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF MIKE FRISBIE.
I ACTUALLY PARTICULARLY LIKED --
>> THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
>> SALDANA: THIS IS CASUAL FRIDAY.
YOU CAN GO THE -- CASUAL FRIDAY.
I HAD TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY, MIKE, TO EMBARRASS YOU A LITTLE BIT.
>> SALDANA: BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS WHEN I HAVE THE CHANCE.
BUT YOU REALLY TRULY DO GOD'S WORK IN MORE WAYS THAN I CAN DESCRIBE.
NOT ONLY FOR YOUR WORK THROUGH THE CITY.
I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A LITTLE BIT.
YOU'VE BEEN THE BEST TYPE OF PERSON TO WORK WITH.
I KNOW WHO THE ACADEMY AWARDS ARE.
SUPER BOWL WORLD SERIES, SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS THE SUPER BOWL FOR FOLKS IN YOUR INDUSTRY, SO, FOR YOU TO HAVE REACHED THIS MOMENT DOESN'T SURPRISE US BEHIND THE DAIS, DOESN'T SURPRISE US IN SAN ANTONIO WHO KNOW THE QUALITY OF WORK YOU HAVE LEAD TO THINK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT YOU HAVE PASSED TO BEGIN WITH AND EXECUTE ON, TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO PASS MORE IS REALLY YOUR SIGNATURE ON THAT SUCCESS, MIKE.
I REALLY, REALLY WILL ALWAYS TREASURE THE TIME THAT WE'VE SPENT TOGETHER AND WORKED ON PROJECTS TOGETHER.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY LEADING SAN ANTONIO'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY BETTER THAN YOU HAVE.
SO, SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS OR ARE BUSINESS LEADERS LEAVE THEIR FINGERPRINTS ON THE CITY.
YOU HAVE LITERALLY LEFT YOUR PROJECTS THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE, EVEN THE POTHOLES BEING FILLED, ALL ACROSS OUR CITY AND COMMUNITY AND THAT'S THE BEST KIND OF LEGACY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SO I WANT TO THANK FOR LEADING IN THE WAY THAT YOU DO.
YOU AND YOUR TEAM WHO IS SITTING HERE WITH US, AND I KNOW THAT YOU, AS YOU'VE SAID, YOU WERE LEAD BY THE LORD AND YOU DELIGHT YOURSELF IN HIS WAY, AND YOU HAVE TAKEN THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP AND REALLY HAD IT PERM WEEATE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR I'VE GOT TON KNOW YOU.
THANK YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE AND COMMITTING YOURSELF TO THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
BUT I WANT TO SAY, NUMBER ONE, YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.
YOU'RE SPOT-ON WITH YOUR PRIORITIES.
AND I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THE PRIORITIES SET IN THAT
[02:10:01]
DIRECTION THE WAY YOU DO.I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO LEAD OUR EVERY DAY LIFE AS WELL AS OUR WORK.
I THINK THAT'S GREAT, AND THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOU OFFER, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, I KNOW I GIVE YOU A HARD TIME.
THAT'S BECAUSE OF MY BACKGROUND.
YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT.
BUT I HAD NO IDEA YOU HAD THAT MUCH HAIR BACK THEN.
>> PERRY: IT ALL GOES DOWN TO TEAM WORK, MIKE AND YOU'VE ASSEMBLED A GREAT TEAM AND EVERYBODY'S PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
AND YOU HAVE HELPED ME AND DISTRICT 10 ON SOME ISSUES THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO US.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROGRAM, BUT YOU FOUND A WAY.
YOU FOUND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
YOU FOUND THE RYE SO RESOURCES D YOU'VE REALLY HELPED US OUT THERE.
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
BY THE WAY, IT'S ALWAYS SERVICE WITH A SMILE.
YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T COST ANYBODY ANYTHING TO SMILE.
AND THAT PUTS A WHOLE DIFFERENT DEMEANOR ON WHAT YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
SO, I THINK THAT WAS ALL PART OF GETTING THIS AWARD ALSO IS HOW YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE.
SO, WITH ALL OF THAT, YOU KNOW, AND THE PRIORITIES, THE PROFESSIONALISM, THE TEAM WORK, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO LEADERSHIP.
MIKE, YOU ARE PROVIDING THAT STRONG LEADERSHIP FOR YOUR TEAM, AND THAT'S THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP WE NEED THROUGHOUT THIS CITY.
SO, WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS.
WELL DESERVED AWARD AND GOD SPEED AND GOOD LUCK ON, WELL, DEALING WITH ME IN THE FUTURE, BUT GOOD LUCK WITH ALL OF THE REST OF YOUR ACTIVITIES HERE, MIKE.
>>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN PERRY.
>> COURAGE: IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE LEAVING.
I RAE GUEST -- I DIDN'T SHARE THAT BATHROOM EXPERIENCE WITH YOU, BUT THERE'S PROBABLY TIME AHEAD.
BUT I DO WANT TO THANK YOU, AS A NEW COUNCILMAN OVER THE LAST YEARS, YOU REALLY HAVE, I THINK, SHOWN THE MOST PROFESSIONALISM AND MOST KSINCERITY OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICTENED A VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS IS NOT OVER.
YOU SAID THIS IS YOUR DREAM JOB BUT I HAVE A NIGHTMARE TO MAYBE TALK WITH YOU ABOUT LATER TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND FOR THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT IN MY DISTRICT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
I'VE SEEN YOU WORK IN THE FACE OF A LOT OF UNGRATEFULNESS, FOR THE VALUE YOU AND YOUR TEAM BRAIN TO THE TABLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT HOW GREAT THESE PROJECTS THAT YOU DO ARE AND THE VALUE THEY BRING TO OUR LIVES.
I UNDERSTAND THE MAJORITY OF PHONE CALLS YOU GUYS GET HARDLY EVER START WITH THE WORDS "I'VE GOT GOOD NEWS." AND IT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOU INSTILL IN YOUR TEAM THAT YOU GUYS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, MEET THOSE COMPLAINTS HEAD ON.
AND NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS, AT LEAST NOT TO ME AND I ADMIRE THAT VERY MUCH.
AND SO, I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT MY KIDS.
I TALK TO HIGH KIDS ABOUT ALL OF YOU.
AND WHEN I REMIND THEM ABOUT WHAT DO YOU, I REALLY PUT IT IN DIFFERENT TERMS FOR THEM AND GIVE THEM PERSPECTIVE.
WITHOUT THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO, MY KIDS WOULDN'T HAVE STREETS TO WALK -- YOU KNOW, TO ENJOY ON THEIR BICYCLES OR SIDEWALKS.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, AMBULANCES WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THEIR CALLS ON TIME.
POLICE WOULDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET TO THEIR CALLS ON TIME.
PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE A WAY TO GET TO THEIR DOCTOR SAFELY, RIGHT, AND BUSINESSES WOULDN'T HAVE A WAY TO GET L PRODUCT TO MARKET.
AND SO I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HOW TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU GUYS AND ONE WAY IS WE CAN NAME A STREET AFTER YOU.
I JUST DID THAT TODAY, RIGHT? BUT YOU'RE SUCH A HUMBLE GUY, MIKE, I'D DOUBT THAT YOU WOULD LET US DO THAT.
BUT THERE IS A POTHOLE THAT I'M WILLING TO PUT YOUR NAME ON.
>> PELAEZ: COME SEE ME AFTER THIS MEETING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN
>> PELAEZ: COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
[02:15:02]
>> TREVINO: CONGRATULATIONS MIKE.
NO DOUBT YOU ARE THE FRISBEE GOLF CHAMPION.
I WANT TO SAY, THAT I REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH YOU.
WE HAVE A LOT OF TOUGH ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO FACE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACE MANY AND ABILITY TO CONTINUALLY TALK THROUGH THE ISSUES AND FIND A WAY FORWARD.
WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT FOR OUR GREAT CITY.
I KNOW YOU CARE VERY MUCH AS WE ALL DO ABOUT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR ENTIRE CITY AND YOU HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.
SO, JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND WORKING WITH YOU.
>>> THANK YOU COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
>> SANDOVAL: I'M SORRY, MIKE, I MISSED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BUT I BELIEVE CONGRATULATIONSES IN ORDER FROM WHAT I'M HEARING AROUND THE DAIS, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILMAN PELAEZ WAS REFERRING TO ME WHEN HE SAID THIS IS A THANKLESS JOB.
I KNOW I HAVE GIVE YOU A HARD TIME ABOUT THE PROJECTS AND YOU HAVE TAKEN IT WITH A SMILE.
THIS IS WELL DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, WOMAN SANDOVAL.
CAN I GET THE FOLKS THERE TCI TO RAISE THEIR HANDS AGAIN? THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR YOU, MIKE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHAT STRIKES ME, YOU'RE A VERY M MODEST.
YOU HAVE A FACT TEAM BEHIND YOU.
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THOSE FOLKS WOULDN'T SHOW UP IF YOU WEREN'T A LEADER.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR BEING EXEMPLARY PROFESSIONAL.
WHEN I WALK AWAY SOMEDAY WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THE YEARS WE HAVE IN THE CITY ORGANIZATION, PEOPLE SAY WHAT WAS DONE AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, TCI, SIMS, PUBLIC WORKS, MIKE FRISBIE, YOU GET RESULTS.
AND THE PROOF IS IN THE FACT OVER THE LAST THREE BOND PACKAGES AND SUCCESSIVE AMOUNTS CITIZENS HAVE SAID YES, THEY WANT YOU TO LEAD THAT EFFORT AND OVER TIME, I'VE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE PRIVATE SECTORS SAY YES, THEY'RE GOING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE GET THE JOB DONE ON TIME, AND ON BUDGET, BUT WE ACTUALLY GET THEM PAID AT THE SAME TIME.
PUBLIC SECTOR OPERATIONS DON'T ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY.
SO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN RELIABLE FOR ITS CITIZENS.
IT'S BEEN RELIABLE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT DOES THE WORK AND IT'S BEEN RELIABLE FOR THE FOLKS UP HERE WHO GET TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE DONE.
YOU GET RESULTS, MIKE AND FOR THAT, YOU HAVE OUR ETERNAL GRATITUDE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
>> MAYOR A COUPLE MORE ITEMS TO MENTION THIS MORNING, AND MIKE, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
WE'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS HERE AND ELSEWHERE, SO, WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
JUST A COUPLE OTHER ITEMS, MAYOR.
WE HAVE CITY MANAGER EXCELLENCE AWARDS THAT I PRESENTED TO OTHER EMPLOYEES LAST WEEK, AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT SINCE WE STARTED THE PROGRAM, WE HAVE RECOGNIZED EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ALSO DONE OUTSTANDING WORK IN A VARIETY OF CITY DEPARTMENTS, AND LAST FRIDAY, RECIPIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN AWARDS BREAKFAST, AND A TOTAL OF 36 NOMINATIONS REPRESENTING 21 DEPARTMENTS WERE RECEIVED AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT FOUR EMPLOYEES RECEIVED THOSE AWARDS LAST FRIDAY.
REBECCA BOYSON, DOMINICK GARCIA, FROM TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS HE'S A OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR.
SHE'S A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER, ANDREW GORDON, EDUCATION COORDINATOR FROM OUR CONVENTION AND SPORTS FACILITIES, AND MICHELLE MARTIN, THEY WERE ALL RECOGNIZED AS WELL FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK AND WE HAD A NICE VISIT WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES TO RECOGNIZE THEIR GRIKZS, THEIR TEAM WORK, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN CONDUCTING WORK FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND LET'S ME MENTION BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION
[02:20:02]
RECOGNITION, THAT EARLIER THIS MORNING, YOU APPROVED OF COURSE THE 2019 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR PRE-K FOR SA.THE BOARD PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IT.
YOU CONSIDERED IT IN A BV"B" SESSION AND APPROVED THAT TODAY.
I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE EXCITING NEWS THAT OUR PRE CAME PROGRAM RECEIVED.
LATE LAST WEEK THEY RECEIVED A GOLD STANDARD SEAL OF APPROVAL FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, OR NAE.
EARNING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEDICATION PROGRAM AND THEY OFFER A VOLUNTARY PROCESS FOR HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS. THE STANDARDS BASED ON THE LATEST EDUCATION RESEARCH WITH RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, SO OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO PRE-K FOR SA AND OUR BOARD AND TEAM OF 500 STAFF AT THE PRE-K FOR SA PROGRAM FOR THEIR WORK LED BY DR. SARAH BERET, OUR CEO AT PRE-K FOR SA.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, SHERYL.
[24. Briefing by the San Antonio Youth Commission regarding the outcomes of the Youth Commission Summit held on Saturday May, 12. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Melody Woosley, Director, Human Services]]
LOTS OF GOOD NEWS FROM YOUR STAFF AND ALSO THESE PROGRAMS ARE CITY SPONSORED.IT'S A GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME UP OUR SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES FROM MY OFFICE AND MY COLLEAGUES OFFICE TO TALK ABOUT THE YOUTH SUMMIT THAT THEY HAD AND ALSO DEMONSTRATE THE LEADERSHIP THAT THEY'VE BROUGHT TO OUR CITY.
MY NAME IS ABBEY NASH AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUCCESS AT P16 PLUS COUNCIL OF GREATER BEXAR COUNTY.
I AM NOT GOING TO BE SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SHARING ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL EXPERIENCES I'VE HAD IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER WHICH IS SUPPORTING THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION ALONG WITH JEAN RUSSELL AND I CHOOSE THE WORD "SUPPORT" WITH INTENTIONALITY.
BECAUSE OUR JOB IS NOT NECESSARILY TO LEAD THESE YOUNG PEOPLE BUT EDGE POWER THEM TO TAP INTO THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP, THEIR VOICE AND THEIR AGENCY, SO, THERE ARE A FEW OF US HERE TODAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS I R I WAS TASKED WITH SHARING WITH YOU, IS THAT MANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS WANTED TO BE HERE.
THEY EVEN HAD US CALLING PRINCIPALS, UNFORTUNATELY AS A HIGH SCHOOL LEADER THEY WORT TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF AUTHORITIES.
PARENT, SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE ELSE WHO DECIDES THEY WANT TO EXERT THEMSELVES.
SO THIS GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LARGER COMMISSION.
THEY HAVE THE BLESSING OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MISSING TO BE HERE, AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE THAT EVERYONE ELSE REALLY WANTED TO COME, BUT YOU'LL HEAR FROM THEM AT SOME POINT.
SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, I WOULD LIKE TO PASS THIS TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE INTRODUCTION THEN, I'M JORGE, A GO TO WARREN HIGH SCHOOL, I'M A JUNIOR WITH DISTRICT 6.
>> I'M ALEJANDRO GOMEZ, I GO TO CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IMALLEY A JUNIOR AND I REPRESENT DISTRICT 1.
>> I'M TATUM SPRIESTER, I GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF AMERICAS AND I'M MAYORAL APPOINTEE.
>> I'M AUDREY HERRERA GO TO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL.
>> I'M VICTORIA DAVIS AND I REPRESENT THE YOUTH OF DISTRICT 3.
>> HI, I'M DANIELLE, I REPRESENT DISTRICT 10.
>> HI, IMI REPRESENT DISTRICT THREE AND CHAIR OF THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION.
THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION FIRMLY BELIEVES THE YOUTH OF STUDENT VOICE IN DECISION MAKING PROCESSES IS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO.
ALL ISSUES ARE YOUTH ISSUES AND WE BELIEVE BY USING THE YOUTH VOICE WE CAN BRING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
TODAY WE'LL BE SHARING OUR PROGRESS.
HOWEVER JUST TO NOTE WE ARE NOT READY TO TAKE AN OFFICIAL STANCE ON ANY OF OUR ISSUES YET.
SINCE OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE 2017-2018 YEAR THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING TO REBUILD WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR.
WE BEGAN THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT WHAT WE WANTED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND HOW WE CAN LIVE UP TO THE CONCEPT OF BEING YOUTH CITY COUNCIL.
WE HAVE REVISED OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
CREATED A LIST OF VALUES AND SET OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR.
THESE OBJECTIVES TARGET THREE SPECIFIC CONCERNS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE FUT
[02:25:01]
FUTURE.>> AS A PART OF THE SHIFT, WE SPENT SOME TIME THINKING ABOUT OUR SHARED VALUES AS A COMMISSION AND GROUP OF REPRESENTING THE BOARD'S SPECTRUM OF YOUTH.
THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION SERVE FOR THE YOUTH TO GIVE THEM A VOICE, CONNECTION.
LIKE SAID, ISSUES ARE YOUTH ISSUES.
WE HOSTED A YOUTH SUMMIT TO UNIFY ALL SAN ANTONIO YOUTH.
THE TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES AT SAYC FOCUSED ON WOULD BE RAISING THE VISIBILITY OF THE COMMISSION SO YOUTH AND ADULTS ALIKE KNEW WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.
WE ALSO DECIDED A KEY OBJECTIVE FOR THIS YEAR WOULD BE DEVELOPING AND ADVOCATING FOR A POLICY AGENDA THAT WOULD HELP ADULTS KNOW WHAT THE YOUTH IN SAN ANTONIO CARE ABOUT.
TO RAISE THE COMMISSION'S VISIBILITY.
SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION PCONNECTED WITH CITY COUNCIL BY INVITED CITY WOMAN AND MEN TO OUR MEETINGS.
WE UPDATED OUR WEBSITE WHERE EACH COMMISSION HAS A VIDEO BIO AND BLOG.
WE GATHERED YOUTH PERSPECTIVE BY SURVEYING OUT TO SCHOOLS AND LASTLY WE CONNECTED WITH SA YOUTH BY HOSTING OUR OWN YOUTH SUMMIT.
>> TO DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS CITY, OUR YOUTH COMMISSION HOSTED MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
WE INVITED ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LEADERS TO HELP US UNDER ISSUES EACH OF OUR DISTRICTS FACE.
>> HERE'S A VISUAL OF ONE OF OUR FEET MEETINGS.
THIS MEETING WAS HELD IN DISTRICT 3.
WE WERE JOINED BY WOMAN VIAGRAN, AND WE DISCUSSED ISSUES THAT YOU WILL SEE THROUGHOUT OUR PRESENTATION.
>> ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT HAS BEEN DEEPENING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY COME.
MY FAVORITE MOMENTS WHEN ME AND TATUM GOT TO MEET WITH MAYOR NIRENBERG TO DISCUSS OUR INITIAL POLICY AGENDA, SHADOWING ANA SANDOVAL AND BEING ABLE TO PRESENT HERE TODAY.
>> SO, RECENTLY, WE MET WITH SA2020 REPRESENTATIVE MOLLY COX.
SHE HAD SOME GREAT ISSUES AS WELL AS WE DID, THAT INTERJECTED WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION IS DOING.
SHE SAYS SHE SHARED SOME AREAS THAT OUR CITY IS MAKING PROGRESS AND AS WELL AS THAT, SOME AREAS THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING PROGRESS.
SHE'S A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE YOUTH COMMISSION AND WHAT SO20 IS DOING.
>> IN PREPARATION FOR YOUTH SURVEY VAI BE SURVEYED THE YOUTH ALL OVER THE CITY TO DETERMINE WHAT TOPICS THEY WANTED TO DISCUSS.
WE VIDEOTAPED THE SUMMIT SO WE ♪ [APPLAUSE]
>> YOUTH VOICE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT THEME ON THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION.
WE WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY GOVERNMENT FOR INCORPORATING YOUTH VOICE IN REGARDS TO THINGS LIKE THE YOUTH CURFEW.
WE HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OFF OF AND INCORPORATE MORE YOUTH VOICE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
>> TEEN HEALTH, SEXUAL HEALTH, AND CONSENT ROSE TO THE TOP OF OUR SURVEY LIST BEFORE THE SUMMIT AND SPECIFICALLY WITH CONSENT, TEACHING THIS IDEA FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE.
THIS GROUP TACKLED THE BROAD ISSUES AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION, AND THE LIFE SKILLS THAT WE NEED TO TEACH YOUTH NOW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE HEALTHY ADULTS IN THE FUTURE.
THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO PRESENT TO SCHOOL LEADERS THIS YEAR.
AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT THEY FOCUSED ON.
THE DESIRE FOR MORE SCIENCE-BASED SEX EDUCATION AND MORE TRANSPARENT ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR YOUTH.
IN SPECIFIC, FOR THE YOUTH, WE HEARD THAT THEY REALLY ENJOY PERSONALIZATION IN THEIR
[02:30:01]
EDUCATION IN REGARDS TO GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.>> ANOTHER TOPIC DISCUSSED WAS YOUTH EQUITY AND EDUCATION.
A LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE THE IDEA THAT SCHOOLS REFLECT THE WEALTH OR POVERTY OF THE SCHOOLS THEY RESIDE IN.
JUST TO CONTINUE WITH THAT, SAN ANTONIO DOES HAVE A LOT OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAN MOST CITIES THAT ARE THIS SIZE SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE EMPHASIZE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE EFFECTIVELY ALLOCATING THEIR RESOURCES.
FINALLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT THESE ARE SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT WERE EXPRESSED BY THE YOUTH AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING THIS EVENT.
>> SO IN JUST A FEW SECONDS I'M GOING TO ALLOW, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, FOR THOSE TO COME OUR WAY.
BEFORE YOU DO THAT, I WANT TO ELEVATE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING.
THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN TWO HOURS A MONTH FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ALL OF THIS, AND THEIR DREAMS ARE BIG AND MASSIVE.
SO THE NEXT STEPS ARE FIGURING OUT HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN THIS JOURNEY.
IT'S ALLYING WITH OTHER YOUTH AGENCIES AND MAKING SURE THERE'S A CONDUIT TO ELEVATE YOUTH VOICE, COORDINATING ACROSS STAKEHOLDERS.
THAT INCLUDES BEING SMARTER ABOUT HOW WE MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS.
I THINK I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED IT BUT THE CLEAR CALL FROM THIS YOUTH COMMISSION IS WE CARE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE WANT MORE TIME TO DO IT.
THAT WILL BE A TASK WE TACKLE THIS SUMMER.
I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MANY OF YOU IN HERE THAT WE ARE NO SUPPORT OF FIGURING THAT OUT.
IF YOU GUYS HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU CAN COME UP.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
I THINK WE DO HAVE SOME COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
I'LL BEGIN WITH MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
YOU KNOW, I PROBABLY HAVE MORE QUESTIONS THAN WE HAVE TIME TO REALLY ANSWER, SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND JUST OFFER A COMMENDATION FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO BE PART OF THIS SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COUNCIL.
AND ALSO TO, I GUESS, CHARGE YOU SO THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS COUNCIL THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU STARTED TO.
THAT YOU CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT.
THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MOTIVATE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE, LIKE YOURSELVES.
MAYBE THEY ARE FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, SENIORS, TO GET AS INVOLVED AS YOU GOT OR EVEN MORE INVOLVED.
AND NOT FORGET ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT AND WHAT YOU'VE DISCUSSED AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER FOR NINE YEARS AT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL.
I WORKED WITH STUDENTS LIKE YOU WHO REALLY FELT THAT THERE WAS MORE THEY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND AND MORE THEY WANTED TO DO.
AND SO WHEN I SEE YOU UP THERE I'M REMINDED OF ALL THOSE GREAT STUDENTS BEFORE YOU WHO HAVE LEARNED A LOT AND HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
AND SOME OF THE THEM END UP COMING UP TO THIS DAIS THAT YOU SEE HERE TODAY.
AND MAYBE THAT'S WHERE SOME OF YOU WILL BE SOME DAY.
OR MAYBE YOU WILL BE IN BUSINESS.
OR MAYBE YOU WILL BE DOING SOMETHING IN A NONPROFIT.
BUT I HOPE THAT WHAT YOU LEARNED AND WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO LEARN WILL HELP YOU MAKE SOCIETY BETTER AND OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.
THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT AS YOU CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR EDUCATION AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THAT DISTRICT 9 HAD TWO REPRESENTATIVES ON THE COUNCIL WHO WEREN'T HERE TODAY.
LAUREN DONEES AND ELENA THOMAS.
I'M SORRY THEY COULDN'T BE HERE WITH YOU BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THEY DID AND THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
I WANT TO THANK OUR SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND REALLY RESTRUCTURING IT AND REVISIONING WHAT OUR YOUTH COMMISSION IS AND CAN BECOME.
OF COURSE, CONGRATULATIONS TO EZ MA -- EZ TO CONGRATULATE THE GRADUATES, THE SENIORS THAT ARE PART OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION TOO.
YOU ARE STARTING A GREAT LEGACY HERE AND RAISING THE STANDARD FOR WHAT IS GOING TO COME NEXT.
SO THANK YOU FOR SETTING THAT PACE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO KEEP MOVING IN WHATEVER NEXT STEP YOU HAVE.
BUT THANK YOU ALSO BECAUSE YOU ARE MAKING US HERE ON THIS DAIS, THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL, RAISE OUR STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS.
[02:35:03]
BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING OUR PART OF THIS PROCESS.WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT ITEMS LIKE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING, TOBACCO 21, THE YOUTH CURFEW.
WE NEED TO USE YOU ALL AS A RESOURCE AND TAP INTO THAT INSTEAD OF JUST OTHER ITEMS OR GOING TO OTHER RESOURCES.
BUT WE NEED TO DO BETTER ON OUR PART TO REACH OUT AND USE YOU ALL AS A RESOURCE.
SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING AVAILABLE AND MAKING YOURSELVES AVAILABLE.
SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER AS A PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.
AGAIN, WE WANT TO TAP INTO YOU ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU GO AND YOU TALK TO YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT YOU LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES OF THE CITY ARE SO YOU CAN TAKE THEM TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND KIND OF ELEVATE THE CONVERSATIONS THERE TOO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COORDINATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GOING THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS YOU HAD TO TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL.
I'M SURE YOU DID IT WILLINGLY BUT IT'S STILL A LOT OF HOOPS TO GO THROUGH.
I WANT TO THANK ABBEY AND RYAN, WHO WAS HERE EARLIER FROM P16.
GENE, YOU HAVE SUCH A TIRELESS COMMITMENT TO THIS.
I SENT GENE AN E-MAIL ONE TIME JUST RUNNING SOMETHING BY HER ABOUT SOME CANDIDATES I HAD FOR THE YOUTH COMMISSION.
AND I GOT BACK, REALLY, AN ENCYCLOPEDIA, WHAT KIND OF CHARACTERISTICS WE WERE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE.
IT WAS SO CLEAR FROM THEN AND FROM TALKING TO YOU ALWAYS THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING THIS A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY SINGLE MEMBER ON THE COMMISSION.
BUT ALSO A COMMISSION THAT'S MEANINGFUL FOR OUR GOVERNMENT PROCESS.
YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GOVERNMENTAL DECISION-MAKING OF THIS BODY BY REVIEWING SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE GONE TO THE COMMISSION.
AND THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THIS CITY THAT CAN SAY THAT AND YOU SHOULD BE EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOURSELVES.
I HOPE THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST TIME, LIKE THE COUNCILWOMAN SAID.
AND YOU CAN ALSO LOOK AT THE AGENDAS AND SEE WHAT'S COMING UP AND TALK TO US SO THAT YOU CAN WEIGH IN.
AND ASHLEY, IN PARTICULAR, YOU HAVE BEEN REALLY ENGAGED WITH OUR OFFICE, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE A MAYORAL APPOINTEE, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR OFFICE.
SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH US.
I ALSO AM REALLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.
YOU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO A COMMISSION.
YOU DID YOUR JOB AND YOU CAME HERE AND YOU REPORTED ON IT.
AND THAT IS -- THAT'S A GREAT LESSON TO LEARN AND YOU ARE REALLY -- JUST IN DOING THAT, YOU ARE A MODEL FOR MANY OF OUR OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS JOB SERIOUSLY AND DEMONSTRATING YOU KNOW WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY IS IN YOUR APPOINTMENT.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL.
>> PERRY: FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR ACTIVITIES TO DO THIS.
BUT I REALLY AGREE WITH WHAT'S BEEN SAID IS WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT? ARE YOU JUST GOING TO LEAVE AND SAY, HEY, I DID A GOOD JOB OR ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN CITY GOVERNMENT IN HOW YOU WANT THIS CITY TO GROW.
HOW DO YOU WANT IT TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE? I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT.
AND SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT IS WHO IS GOING TO BE REPLACING YOU? DO YOU HAVE A SUCCESSION PLAN? DO YOU HAVE SOMEBODY OUT THERE YOU'RE THINKING, HEY, THIS PERSON IS REALLY UP AND GOING AND REALLY INVOLVED AND THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONTINUE? SO THINK ABOUT THAT ALSO.
DIDN'T THIS TIME GO BY REALLY QUICKLY? YEAH.
LET ME TELL YOU, WHEN YOU'RE GETTING ACTIVE AND INVOLVED IN THESE TYPES OF THINGS, THE TIME GOES VERY, VERY FAST.
SO START THINKING ABOUT THAT SUCCESSION PLAN ALSO AND WHO ELSE YOU WANT TO SEE REPRESENT YOU AND CONTINUE ON WITH WHAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE, ESPECIALLY DANIELLE AND JACOB.
THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICT 10.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PERRY.
JUST TO EXPRESS HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO SEE SUCH YOUNG LEADERS TAKE HOLD OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE PRESENTED TO US TODAY.
AND THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT LEADERSHIP, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER HOW OLD, YOUNG YOU ARE.
YOU HAVE A STAKE IN THE FUTURE
[02:40:01]
OF THIS CITY.YOU HAVE A STAKE IN A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE OUTLINED.
AND I WANT TO PARTICULARLY GIVE YOU A SHOUT OUT FOR POINTING OUT MENTAL HEALTH AS AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT MATTER THAT A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THINGS, LIKE GUN VIOLENCE THAT YOU MENTIONED, AND FOLKS TALK ABOUT THAT SUBJECT MATTER AS SOMETHING THAT IS NECESSITATING MENTAL HEALTH, THAT YOU ALL ACTUALLY ARE GRABBING ON TO BOTH SIDES OF THAT CONVERSATION.
AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO THE DELIBERATIONS THAT YOU ALL HAD INTERNALLY WITH YOUR STAFF.
IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK JEAN AS WELL TOO BECAUSE YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT WHETHER YOU'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS HERE AT CITY COUNCIL, THAT WE ARE HEARING YOU.
OR YOU'RE HAVING THEM WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE, IN MANY CASES, MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET LINE ITEMS THAT WOULD ACTUALLY PUT A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IN A SCHOOL THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE ONE.
KNOW THAT YOUR VOICE HAS POWER AND IT IS INCREDIBLE TO SEE IT AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.
JADE, IT'S SO GOOD TO GET TO SEE YOU TODAY.
THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO PUSH YOU ALONG.
SO LET US KNOW WHERE WE'RE MISSING OUT.
YOU POINTED OUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.
IF WE SIT DOWN AND TALK WE MIGHT TALK ABOUT A SEPARATE SUBJECT, WHICH IS TRANSPORTATION IN OUR CITY.
WE CAN THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW WE USE YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOUR VOICE, AND YOUR FUTURE LEADERSHIP IN PLANTING THOSE SEEDS.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT WITH YOU ALL AND HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SALDANA.
>> PELAEZ: SO I'M TRYING TO THINK ABOUT IF I CAN REMEMBER BEING AS YOUNG AS YOU GUYS, AND I CAN'T.
BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU YOU EVER HEARD PEOPLE SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT'S WHO YOU KNOW? EVER HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT? THEY SAY IT SO OFTEN IN GOVERNMENT AND IN POLITICS.
I THINK THEY SAY IT FOR THE WRONG REASONS.
AND I THINK THAT THE "WHO" IN THAT SENTENCE IS THE WRONG "WHO." I TELL YOU IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU GUYS REMEMBER THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO BE CALLED UPON FOR WHAT YOU KNOW, RIGHT? THAT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE OVERLOOKING.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE WHO YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT US.
I MEAN, YOU GUYS GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE MAYOR AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH US AND ALL THAT, BUT THAT'S REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL AT ALL.
THE WHO YOU KNOW IS EACH OTHER.
AND THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED NOT JUST SO YOU COULD SEND IDEAS UP TO US -- AND IF THAT'S ALL THAT HAPPENS THEN I THINK THIS PROGRAM WILL HAVE FAILED.
THE IDEA WAS TO PUT YOU ALL IN A ROOM, GET YOU ALL THINKING, AND THEN STAY CONNECTED.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF YOU MAY BE WILDLY WEALTHY ONE DAY.
AND SOMEBODY ELSE MAY BE FANTASTICALLY ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INVENTIVE AND INNOVATIVE AND HAVE A GREAT IDEA.
IF YOU'RE NOT CALLING ON EACH OTHER TO INVEST IN EACH OTHER AND BLOCK AND TACKLE FOR EACH OTHER AND ASK FOR ADVICE AND TO CRY ON EACH OTHER'S SHOULDERS.
YOU KNOW, TO HAVE DEBATES WITH EACH OTHER, THEN WE WILL HAVE FAILED.
AND SO PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH ANY OF US BUT JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE CONSTANTLY IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.
YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW IMPORTANT THAT RELATIONSHIP WILL BE TO YOUR SUCCESS.
BOY, I WANT TO SEE YOU GUYS SUCCEED, WILDLY.
SO, CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN PELAEZ.
I DO REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE AND I REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY THAT FEELING THAT I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS THAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND THAT SENSE OF FRIENDSHIP THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DEVELOPED.
SO I'LL ASK YOU ONE THING, BECAUSE I REMEMBER THIS EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE.
I REMEMBER FEELING SOMEWHAT LEFT OUT OF A LOT OF THINGS.
AND I DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF DIRECTION UNTIL I DEVELOPED SOME GREAT FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE, AS COUNCILMAN PELAEZ POINTED OUT, THAT WERE IN THE KNOW AND COULD HELP ME SORT OF THINK ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT I MIGHT SOME DAY BE SOMETHING, BE SOMEBODY, CONTRIBUTE BACK.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.
YOU GUYS ARE DEMONSTRATING THAT YOU ARE DOING IT TOGETHER.
AND WE CAN ONLY DO IT TOGETHER.
SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEMONSTRATING THAT SO WELL FOR ALL OF US.
THE REALITY IS THAT WE'RE IN THIS ALL TOGETHER AUDIO] OF ALL THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK, JEAN.
[02:45:01]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN TREVINO.
I'M SO PROUD OF YOU FOR COMING UP WITH SUCH CHALLENGING ISSUES TO DISCUSS.
AND I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESPONSE.
SO HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE YOUR FORUMS AND YOU INVITE US WHEN YOU GO TO DO YOUR PRESENTATION ABOUT CONCERNS THAT AROSE AND HOW YOU THINK WE COULD DEAL WITH THEM, ESPECIALLY REGARDING CONSENT.
THAT, I THINK, IS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEVER DISCUSSED IN MY -- GOSH, I HATE TO SAY IT.
SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU ALL FOR DOING THAT WORK AND GIVING US A PLATFORM TO TALK ABOUT IT.
SO WE'LL HOPEFULLY LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.
THE OTHER THING THAT I REMEMBER COMING TO SEE YOU GUYS AT AN EVENT AND I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHERE IT WAS, BUT IT WAS ME AND THE CHIEF AND, AT THE TIME, COUNCILMAN NIRENBERG TO ADDRESS SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS.
DANA VALDEZ, WHO WAS MY REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 5, DAVINA -- THEY ARE NOT HERE TODAY.
I IMAGINE THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF SCHOOL.
BUT I KNOW THEY WERE ACTIVE MEMBERS.
DANA SAID HER GOAL IN LIFE WAS TO GET OUT OF DISTRICT 5.
AND IT HAS STUCK WITH ME THAT THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE EXPECT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS THAT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IF THEY GET OUT.
I TRY VERY HARD AND WORK EVERY DAY THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT WE'RE BUILDING A CITY WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO MOVE AWAY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.
BUT WE NEED THAT ENCOURAGEMENT FROM YOU ALL TO CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORK TO MAKE A CITY THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE PROUD OF.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CONTINUED WORK AND PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE LISTENING.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN GONZALES.
I'M NOT ONE TO LECTURE OR TELL YOU HOW TO DO THINGS.
I THINK AS A COUNCIL WE SHOULD DO A BETTER JOB OF LISTENING TO YOU GUYS.
AND SO I KNOW VICTORIA, I'M GOING TO ASK VICTORIA A QUESTION.
PERSONALLY, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, WHAT CAN I DO TO ASSIST YOU ONCE YOUR TERM EXPIRES FROM THE YOUTH COMMISSION? WHAT CAN I DO AS A COUNCIL MEMBER TO HELP THE YOUTH IN NOT ONLY DISTRICT 2, BUT THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT ARE NOT ON THE YOUTH COMMISSION?
>> I WOULD SAY AS A COUNCIL MEMBER TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MORE AVAILABLE TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
I'LL MAKE SURE I CALL YOUR MOM AND DAD.
>> SHAW: I'LL MAKE SURE I NOTIFY YOUR MOM AND DAD WHAT YOU SAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN SHAW.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
JUST A QUICK THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN HERE AND SPENDING YOUR TIME WITH US.
JORGE, IT'S GREAT TO SEEING YOU HERE.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE ANNA CHAPA FROM POSSIBLY THE GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE HISTORY OF HIGH SCHOOLS, JOHN JAY, MY ALMA MATER.
I'M GOING TO START TO SING THE SONG FOR YOU REAL QUICK.
YOU KNOW, AS I GET A LITTLE OLDER THAN PROBABLY THAN BACK IN THE DAY WHERE YOU'RE AT, I START TO FIGURE OUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON.
MY SONS ARE YOUR AGE AND THEY ARE SPEAKING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.
WHAT'S GOOD FOR ME, AS WE GET TO BUILD THIS TOGETHER.
JORGE, YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN DOING IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
JUST REACH OUT TO ME AND LET ME KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU'RE THINKING.
LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, BECAUSE I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S GOING ON IN HIGH SCHOOL LIFE OR ANY OF THAT ANYMORE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND MY SON AND HE'S AROUND ME ALL THE TIME.
I THINK WE ALL NEED AN EXTENSIVE POINT TO WHERE I GOT TO LISTEN TOO.
THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION THAT COUNCILMAN SHAW ASKED, AND IT WAS A GREAT ANSWER.
I HEAR THAT ONE LOUD AND CLEAR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU, JORGE, AND DOING THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO THE KIDS AT WARREN, JAY, MARSHALL, ALL THE SCHOOLS.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND SHOWING UP.
IT GIVES ME GREAT HOPE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME GREAT WORK TOGETHER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ALL OF YOU BE SUCCESSFUL.
THE MUSIC IS STILL STUCK IN MY HEAD.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
[02:50:01]
GOING TO SHARE A LUNCH WITH YOU IN JUST A MOMENT.BUT I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO JEAN AS WELL.
THESE ARE UNCHARTERED TERRITORIES WITH REFORMULATING HOW THE YOUTH COMMISSION WILL GO ABOUT ITS WORK AND MAKING IT EFFECTIVE TO INFLUENCE THE ROLES THAT WE PLAY IN OUR POSITIONS.
SO THANK YOU, JEAN, FOR TAKING THIS ON AND BEING CREATIVE WITH YOUR WHOLE TEAM.
BUT I DID WANT TO ASK CHAIRWOMAN CASTILLO.
WHEN WILL YOU BE READY TO BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY POSITIONS ON THESE ITEMS YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT?
THIS YEAR WAS MORE OF THE PLANNING YEAR FOR THE SAN ANTONIO YOUTH COMMISSION.
AS I SAID, WE REALLY WENT IN AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN WE WERE USED TO.
WE ARE STILL FOCUSED RIGHT NOW ON RECRUITING OUR COMMISSIONERS FOR NEXT YEAR.
BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR SENIORS ARE LEAVING, AND THAT IS WHEN OUR TERM ENDS.
DEFINITELY SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR.
THAT WAY WE CAN HOLD MORE FORUMS, HOLD MORE SUMMITS, TALK TO MORE YOUTH, AND REBUILD THE YOUTH COMMISSION.
THIS IS TOUGH WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE STRUCTURE OF HOW WE GO ABOUT THIS WORK.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU, AND I THINK IT'S REFLECTED IN ALL THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES, THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST AN EXERCISE THAT YOU WERE DOING.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REALLY HEAR WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS ARE AS WE TRY TO BUILD THIS CITY THAT WE ALL BELIEVE IN SO THAT YOUR VOICE CAN BE INFLUENCING THE GOVERNMENT THAT REPRESENTS YOU.
YOU MAY NOT BE OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE BUT YOU CERTAINLY HAVE A VOICE AND A ROLE IN IMPROVING THE CITY.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOU IS THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING THE YOUTH COMMISSION NOT JUST AN EXERCISE IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, BUT A WAY YOU CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR CITY.
THANK YOU FOR EMBARKING ON THAT.
YOUR ENERGY IS REALLY PALPABLE AND INFECTIOUS FOR ALL OF US, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AS WELL.
BEFORE WE DEPART, AND WE WILL HAVE A 2:00 ZONING AGENDA.
BUT I DO HAVE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, AND THAT IS WE ARE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND.
OUR VERY OWN CITY MANAGER, SHERYL SCULLEY, WILL BE CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY.
AND THERE IS CAKE DURING THE LUNCH BREAK.
AND SO WE WILL BEGIN NOW, AS WE DO, BY SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SHERYL ♪ ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ [APPLAUSE]
>> WE ARE NOW RECONVENING THE MEETING OF MAY 17TH, 2018 OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
ITEMS P-1 AND Z-3 HAVE BEEN POSTPONED BY THE APPLICANT AND ITEM Z-22 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
THE APPLICANT.THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED.
THE CONSENT ZONING ITEMS, 25, Z-1, Z-2, Z-5, P-2, Z-7, Z-9, Z-10, Z-11, P-3, Z-12, Z-14, Z-15, Z-16, Z-18, Z-19, P- -- Z-20 ARE ON CONSENT.
THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION ARE Z-4, Z-6, Z-8, Z-13, Z-17 AND Z-21.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS MY COLLEAGUES WISH TO HAVE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION?
[02:55:08]
OKAY, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS ON CONSENT?>> IF I MAY I NEED TO READ INTO THE RECORD P-4 AND Z-20 IS ON CONSENT FOR THE RECORD THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING AN EIGHT FOOT FENCE AS PART OF THE APPROVAL FOR THE REZONING.
>> WE HAVE ONE PERSON -- I'M SORRY.
WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON CONSENT.
WE'LL START WITH THERESA NINO FOLLOWED BY DAVID BOGLE AND TAMMY KEOGHLY.
MY NAME IS THERESA NE NINO AND M A MEMBER OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE THAT WENT THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING AND SUPPORTING THE PROCESS OF ALLOWING OUR COMMUNITY TO UPDATE OUR CONSERVATION DISTRICT GUIDELINES.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGING SITUATION WAS A PLEASANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND ONE THAT PROVIDED FOR A BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CITY DEPARTMENTS AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE WOULD PARTICULARLY LIKE TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT SERVICE STAFF ORB DOOR, THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF THAT PATIENTLY ASSISTED US.
KATH HERNANDEZ AND ZEKE SOLICE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE STAND, STHERL DOZIER, JAY FLETCHER WHO IS NOT HERE, JUDITH, CLAUDIA AND JACK GUERRA.
TAMMY, AND HAYS AND JOHN TRUMPABLY AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK DAVID BOGLE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON I'M DAVID BOGLE HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY, TO MOVING FORWARD AND ESPECIALLY TO COUNCIL MEMBER TREVINO WHOA BROUGHT THE UPDATE OF NC D'BACK TO LIFE FOR SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY OURS.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK DSD STAFF.
THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB OF MANAGING OUR PROCESS, AND I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, WHICH SUPPORTS THE BOARD AND THESE SORTS OF ISSUES.
>> THANK YOU FOR SEEING US TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE UPDATES TO OUR CITY STANDARDS.
MY NAME IS TAMMY ASKINGLY, I STAND BY EVERYTHING HIGH NEIGHBOR COLLEAGUES HAD TO SAY.
I'LL REVISIT SOME COMMENTS THAT I MADE YESTERDAY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF SAN ANTONIO WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION.
IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ACROSS THE CITY.
WE BELIEVE IN THE FIBER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE BELIEVE THAT FIBER CAN BE PRESERVED AS WE MOVE INTO OUR FUTURE.
THIS IS TRUE OF OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS, HISTORIC AS WELL AS CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND PERHAPS THOSE YET TO BE ORGANIZED.
SAN ANTONIO IS ONE OF OUR UNIQUE AMERICAN CITIES AS WE ALL KNOW.
WE WEAR OUR HISTORY ON OUR SLEEVE BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
THESE DISTINCTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE PART OF THAT HISTORY, PART OF OUR FUTURE, OUR MEETINGS WERE PRODUCTIVE AND IN DEPTH.
THEY HELPED US FIND OUR VOICE AS A COMMUNITY.
AND I CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH.
COUNCILMAN TREVINO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR RESPECT, EVERYTHING.
[03:00:01]
THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY TODAY.>> WAY, GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR PRO TEM AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CITY COUNCIL.
FORT THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER.
A NUMBER OF ITEMS I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS PORTION OF ATHE AGENDA.
ONE ITEM FOR CONSENT THAT WILL SAIL RIGHT THROUGH IS IN MR. SHAW'S DISTRICT.
IT'S ABOUT TEN TOWN HOMES, SIR, TEN TOWN HOMES BEING PLACED ON -- OVER ON PIEDMONT AVENUE AND DENVER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION I NOTICE OPPOSED THAT, SIR.
MAYBE YOU'D WANT TO HOLD OFF ON THAT AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU JUST SAIL IT ON THROUGH.
I THINK THEY PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD REASON.
MAYBE THEY THINK IT'S I A BIT TOO INTENSE R TENSE OVER THERE, SIR.
LIKEWISE IN YOUR SAME DISTRICT, Z-4, A USED CAR LOT, SIR.
THIS IS ONE WHERE BOTH STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED DENIAL.
WHY? BECAUSE IT'S INTENSE COMMERCIAL USE IN THE MIDDLE OF SINGLE FAMILY COMMUNITY, SIR.
IT'S TOO INTENSE BEFORE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, SIR.
JUST MAYBE YOU'D WANT TO SAY NO TO THAT ONE.
THAT YOU'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THERE.
LIKE WISE, AND HERE'S THE BIG ONE, Z-6.
YES, MA'AM, THE ONE IN PECAN VALLEY.
THE ONES THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY COMING BACK AND FORTH HERE, ASKING YOU TO SAY NO TO IT.
WHY DON'T YOU JUST SAY NO TO IT, MISS VIAGRAN? I MEAN, MY GOODNESS.
IT'S THE -- YOU HAVE -- WHEN YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE SPEAK OUT, YOU HAD SIX PEOPLE SPEAK OUT AT THAT COMMISSION.
THE DRAINAGE, THE FLOODING, 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAN.
I'M SORRY THIS THING IS JUST FULL OF HOLES.
I GUESS WHERE WATER LEAKS THROUGH, I GUESS.
WHY NOT JUST SAY NO TO THIS AND STOP INCONVENIENCING THESE POOR PEOPLE OVER HERE.
ALSO, WHAT ELSE DO WE HAVE HERE? Z-13.
MISS GONZALES, IN YOUR DISTRICT.
YES, THE -- THERE'S A RESTAURANT THAT WANTS TO GO IN THERE BUT THE WESTWOOD SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OPPOSES IT.
I GUESS MAYBE THEY THINK IT'S A BIT TOO INTENSE FOR THAT AREA AS WELL.
MAYBE YOU'D WANT TO LISTEN TO THEM AND, LET'S SEE, FINALLY, Z-21.
YOU HAVE AN O-1 PROPOSED OFFICE, 17 NOTICES WENT OUT.
27 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE SAID NO TO IT.
MAYBE SAY NO TO THAT ONE AS WELL.
>> MARY STALLING, FOLLOWED BY HELEN BRYAN.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK A FEW PEOPLE IN 2016, THE OFFICE RECOGNIZED THAT NCD STANDARDS COMMUNITY WERE NOT UP TO DATE, OR EFFECTIVE TO ENSURE THE COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT AMONG MODERN DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS WE LOOK TO IMPLEMENT THE SA TOMORROW STANDARDS OF PRESERVATION OF OUR HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE.
IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY OF OUR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AND RESEARCH TO COMPLETE THE SECOND NCD UPDATES WITHIN A YEAR AND OF COURSE THE TASK FORCE OFALITY THAT VISTA.
ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS WORKING VERY HARD.
PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS DOCUMENT.
THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS DONE IN A COLLABORATIVE FASHION.
ALSO, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE CHRISSY, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD ON THIS, AND SOMEBODY WHO REALLY CARES DEEPLY ABOUT PRESERVATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
I CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK PUBLICLY.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH, CRISSY.
SO, WITH THAT, CONGRATULATIONS TO FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK, TO
[03:05:02]
EVERYBODY.I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS ITEM BEING APPROVED, AND I CERTAINLY WILL SUPPORT THIS AS WE TAKE OUR VOTE HERE SHORTLY.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ON CONSENT.
[Z-4. ZONING CASE # Z2017066 CD (Council District 2): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-4" Residential Single-Family District to "C-2 CD" Commercial District with a Conditional Use for Motor Vehicle Sales on the South 112.5 feet of Lots 14 and 15, Block 15, NCB 10333, located at 3302 Martin Luther King Drive. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Denial. (Continued from April 5, 2018)]
MOTION CARRIES.WE'LL START WITH ITEM Z-46789Z-2017066 FROM R4 RESIDENTIAL TO C2 WITH COMMERCIAL USE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES SALES.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND DENIAL.
WEEKLY HEIGHTS ACTION GROUP IS IN FAVOR.
>> SHAW: THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM.
HAVE WE HEARD FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER?
>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF, SIR, AND I DON'T BELIEVE HE IS HERE.
>> SHAW: AT THIS TIME I MOTION TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION FOR DENIAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO DENY.
[Z-6. ZONING CASE # Z2018073 (Council District 3): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-5" Residential Single-Family District, "MF-33" Multi-Family District, and "C-3" General Commercial District to "MXD" Mixed Use District on 110.554 acres out of NCB 10835, NCB 10838, NCB 13485, NCB 13486, NCB 14045 and NCB 13881, generally located east of the intersection at Pecan Valley Drive and East Southcross. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval. (Continued from April 5, 2018)]
MOTION CARRIES.>> Z-2018037 FROM R5MF33 AND C3 TO MXD GENERALLY LOCATED EAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF PECAN VALLEY DRIVE IN EAST SOUTHCROSS.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
67 NOTICES MAILED, 4 IN FAVOR AND 5 OPPOSED.
PECAN VALLEY AND HIGHLAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ARE IN OPEN SIX AND APPLICANT SUBMITTED AN AMENDED SITE PLAN.
>> WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
CHARLES BARRETT FOLLOWED BY ALBERTO DEL RIO.
MR. DEL RIO IS GOING TO DEVOTE HIS TIME TO ME.
>> MR. BARTLET, YOU HAVE SIX MINUTES.
ALSO THERE'S TRANSLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE BACK IF ANYONE NEEDS IT.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH YOU ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN ON THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEED FOR PROTECTION OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER AND A MEMBER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 43 YEARS.
THIS PICTURE YOU SEE NOW, IT WAS TAKEN ON 22 FEBRUARY.
ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER, ON THE 28TH OF MARCH, WE HAD ANOTHER RAIN, AND WE HAD A REPEAT PERFORMANCE ALONG ALMOST ALL OF THE HOMES ON PECAN GROVE.
WITH -- IN RECENT WEIRS WITH THE VERY RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE CREEK NORTH OF THIS LOCATION, WE'VE HAD ONE SIGNIFICANT FLOOD EVENT AFTER ANOTHER.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE'VE HAD MANY, MANY PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLOODPLAIN AND UNFORTUNATELY THE CITY AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THE ZONING COMMISSION, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE NOT SEEN FIT TO REALLY CONTROL THE DEVELOPMENT OF FLOODPLAIN.
WE'VE HAD A RESENT PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP THE -- A WILLOW SPRINGS, BIG COMPLEX AT WILLOW SPRINGS GOLF COURSE WHICH WOULD HAVE NARROWED THE CREEK TO ABOUT 20 FEET WIDE AND MAKE A MINI RIVER WALK IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 AT THE -- AT THE GOLF COURSE.
THEN, WE'VE ALSO HAD ON THE EASTERN END OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, THERE WAS A HUMAN FILL-IN OF THE FLOODPLAIN TO EXPAND THE CEMETERY.
ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT RECENTLY WAS AT THE RED BERRY ESTATE AGAIN IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO FILL IN
[03:10:03]
WHAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS THE PECAN ORCHARD WHICH WOULD GREATLY NARROW THE FLOW OF THE WATER THROUGH THE CHANNEL THROUGH THE SOLATO CREEK.AND BECAUSE OF THAT WILL REQUIRE ABOUT 350,000 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL TO BE PUT IN THE RED BERRY ESTATE AND THAT SEEMED TO SAIL RIGHT THROUGH.
THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THESE ILL CONSIDERED DEVELOPMENTS WAS THE LACK OF FINANCING.
SO IT MAY BE OUR BANKERS KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SOLATO THAN WE DO.
THEY SEEM TO BE SMARTER IN SOME REGARDS.
NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER PROPOSAL TO BUILD IN WHAT WE'VE KNOWN FOR GENERATIONS, AS THE FLOODPLAIN.
THERE'S THE CONCEPT, THE IDEA OF PUTTING A 3,000 FOOT TRAINING -- 3,000 SEAT TRAINING CENTER THERE IN WHAT WE KNOW AS THE FLOODPLAIN, BUILD 1400 RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN FOUR TO SIX STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS RIGHT ON -- WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE OF THE WATER.
IT'S A MINI CITY GOING THAT THIS SMALL AREA.
AND I ESTIMATE TO FILL IN THESE AREAS THAT YOU SAW ON THE ORI ORIGINAL, I ESTIMATE THAT TO FILL IN THESE AREAS ALONG THE FLOODPLAIN THERE, WHERE ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS TO TAKE PLACE, WILL BE REQUIRED AT LEAST 100,000 CUBIC YARDS OF FILL.
THAT'S GOING TO DISPLACE A TREMENDOUS, A HUGE AMOUNT, OF WATER.
AND WHERE DOES THAT WATER GO? IT GOES RIGHT INTO OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER THERE OF SOUTH SIDE LIONS PARK AND ALSO SOUTH OF THE HIGHWAY THERE WHERE YOU HAVE PRESS WICK AND FARINGTON.
THERE ARE MANY HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED NOT ONLY RECENTLY BUT IN OCTOBER OF '98.
THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ALSO -- WILL CAUSE, OR EXACERBATE THE SITUATION OF THREE MAJOR CHOKE POINTS IN THE FLOW OF WATER IN THE SOLATO CREEK.
ONE IS SORT OF AT THE NORTHERN END THERE, WHERE YOU SEE THE CHOKE POINT MENTIONED ON THE SLIDE.
THE OTHER ONE IS A RELATIVELY SMALL NARROW BRIDGE THERE ACROSS SOUTHCROSS AND THEN FURTHER SOUTH THERE'S ANOTHER CHOKE POINT.
WHENEVER THE WATER FLOWS INTO THESE CHOKE POINTS, IT SLOWS DOWN, TENDS TO BACK UP.
AND WHEN IT BACKS UP, IT GOES INTO OUR YARD AND IN OUR HOMES.
TO COMPOUND THE PROBLEM, THERE'S ALSO A REQUIREMENT TO BUILD A LOT OF FLOODPLAINS -- I MEAN, RETAINING WALLS AND DAMS AND BERMS AND ALL OF THIS STUFF WHICH FURTHER CHANNELS THE WATER, AND TENDS TO SLOW IT DOWN.
IN CONCLUSION, LET ME SAY THAT I'VE BEEN ON -- SERVING ON CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
12 YEAR ON THE PARKS BOARD, GOING ON 13 YEARS ON THE LINEAR CREEKWAY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO PROUD OF OUR CITY AND YOU, AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS I AM RIGHT NOW.
BUT YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OUR REALLY -- OUR COURT OF LAST RESORT.
SO, PLEASE, I'M ASKING YOU PLEASE PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THE CITY, BY VOTING NO ON THIS ILL-ADVISED PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
>> TONY MOORHOUSE FOLLOWED BY GEORGE SIAN.
HONESTY, TRUST, RESPECT, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT IS WHAT THIS ZONING ISSUE IS ABOUT AND VOTING NO ON IT.
THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ADJACENT HIGHLAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD IS TOO DENSE AND TOO INTENSE FOR THE SOLATO CREEK FLOODPLAIN AREA.
THE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE IN AND AROUND THE FARMER PECAN VALLEY GOLF COURSE WHICH HAS THE CREEK FLOWING RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF IT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A THREAT TO HUMAN LIVES WHICH HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AS WELL AS PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND,AN THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA, AS WELL AS THE WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
[03:15:01]
WE NEED NO MORE MULTI FAMILY PROPERTIES IN AN AREA THAT'S ALREADY SATURATED WITH THEM AND WE'VE ALREADY SHOWN THE NUMBERS, AND WHERE THESE LOCATIONS ARE, AT ZONING, SO I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THAT FOR YOU ALL TO REFER BACK TO IF YOU'D LIKE.NO FINAL PLANS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED FOR THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
EVERYTHING IS IN A CONTINUAL FLUX.
WOULD YOU WRITE A BLANK CHECK WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT WILL BE FOR? WE ASK FOR CLARIFICATION AS TO HOW THE DEVELOPERS THINK THEY WILL FILL 1400 NEW APARTMENT UNITS WHEN -- WHEN WITH THE VETERANS, THEY COULDN'T FILL AT MASTERS RANCH 252 UNITS.
WILL THEY BE TURN INTO ANOTHER SAHA PROPERTY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT MASTERS RANCH, HOW IT WAS GOING TO BE FOR THE VETERANS.
IT WAS GOING TO HAVE A GOLF COURSE, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
MASTERS RANCH WAS TURNED OVER TO SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST, WHO TURNED IT OVER TO SAHA.
THE GOLF COURSE NEVER WAS CONSTRUCTED.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IMPERVIOUS COVER.
THAT'S AN ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN FLOODING AND DRAINAGE IS CRITICAL IN THIS AREA.
THEY HAVE SAID THAT THE DEVELOPMENT WILL COVER 50 PERCENT OF THE ENTIRE ACREAGE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PROPOSED GOLF COURSE.
THAT IS BASICALLY SAYING -- DO I NEED -- NO, NOT YET.
THAT'S BASICALLY SAYING THAT THEY PLAN TO CEMENT, PAVE OR BUILD ON THE ENTIRE AREA THAT IS NOT PART OF A GOVERNMENT COURSE WHICH IS OVER 100 AKERS.
WHERE WILL THE WATER GO, SINCE SOAKING INTO THE GROUND --
>> I'M SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR NAME?
SO, WHERE WILL THIS WATER GO SINCE SOAKING INTO THE GROUND DOESN'T SEEM TO HE BE POSSIBLE? IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING THE MAXIMUM COVERAGE WOULD BE 50 PERCENT OF THE NON-GOLF COURSE AREA.
WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM A DESIGN ENGINEER REGARDING THE STRUCTURES, OR THE SOUNDNESS OF THE DIRT THAT WHEN ASKED ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY, WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPERTY AND ITS UPKEEP, WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE OWNER.
WELL, WHO ARE THEY AND WHERE -- HOW WOULD WE HAVE RESOURCE FOR ANYTHING SHOULD ANYTHING NOT BE UP TO PAR? IT WAS MENTIONED THAT IF WE DIDN'T SIGN THE COVENANTS REGARDING THESE THE ZONING CHANGE THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING KNEW, THAT THAT ALLOWED FOR 3400 APARTMENTS UNDER THE ORIGINAL.
OKAY? AND SO MY COMMENT WAS, AND IT WAS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT SNARKY, WAS, WELL, IF YOU'VE HAD THIS ZONING FOR OVER FOUR TO SIX YE YEARS, WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE SOMETHING WITH IT.
THEY ARE NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA.
TRAFFIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE MAJOR CONCERNS.
WHAT IS THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY? THE PREVIOUS PROJECT WAS NEVER COMPLETED AND ARE THEY AGAIN GOING TO USE TAXPAYER FUNDS, FEE WAIVERS, FUNDING THROUGH THE COUNTY, SPORTS, VENUE, TAX REVENUE AND THAT'S REF THOUSAND THAT IS GAINED FROM THE COUNTY 5 PERCENT TAX THAT IS CHARGED EVERY TIME YOU RENT A VEHICLE.
THERE HAVE WITHIN OVER 500SAPD CALLS TO THE MASTERS RANCH FROM FEBRUARY OF 2017 TO JANUARY OF 2018 AND THIS IS A PROPERTY OF 252 UNITS.
THEIR WEBSITE HAS BEEN PULLED AND ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE, WHEN YOU LOOK THEM UP,WILL BE UP AGAIN AFTER JUNE 1ST.
WE HAD SOME CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT WEBSITE.
SOME OF THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED LATER.
[03:20:02]
TRUST, RESPECT.ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, TO THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE TAXPAYERS.
THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY, OR IS IT?
>> GEORGE CIAN, FOLLOWED BY JOANNE TORRES.
>> I'M GOING TO GIVE MY I'M TO MR. TORRES AS WELL.
>> MR. TORRES, YOU HAVE NINE MIN MINUTES.
>> I'VE GOT A HANDOUT FOR EVERYONE, OR FOR THE COUNCIL.
DO YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD AND START OR WAIT FOR THE HANDOUT?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AS STATED BEFORE MY NAME IS DAVID TORRES, AND I'M AGAIN COMING TO YOU TO EXPRESS MY REQUEST FOR DISAPPROVAL FOR THE REZONING OF THE VALOR CLUB.
LAST MONTH I DESCRIBED THE REASONS I WAS AGAINST THE PROJECT AND WHY I RECOMMENDED THE YOU DENY THE ZONING OF THE PROPERTY TO MXD.
PLEASE BEAR WITH ME, I HAD TOOTH WORK DONE THIS MORNING.
I'M TALKING A LITTLE FUNNY I APOLOGIZE IF I'M NOT CLEAR.
AS A COMBAT VETERAN MYSELF, AND AS PREVIOUS SUPPORTER OF THE VALOR CLUB, I HAVE BECOME QUITE DISHEARTENED BY THE FALSE PROMISES AND FALSE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE VALOR CLUB FOUNDER AND STAFF.
AT ONE OF OUR MEETINGS IN JANUARY, I RECALL THEY TOLD US THAT THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING ALONG WITH MEMBERS OF THE CITY STAFF THAT WERE THERE AND OTHER GUESTS THAT THEY STATED THAT THEY BROKE TIES WITH MR. HOGAN AND THE MASTERS RANCH FOLKS BECAUSE THEY LET THEM -- MASTERS RANCH TURN INTO GOVERNMENT VOUCHER HOUSING.
HE STATED THAT THEY WEREN'T -- THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
SO, THEY DECIDED TO BUILD ADDITIONAL APARTMENTS WHERE THE RETIREMENT VILLAGE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.
YET, ON TUESDAY, IN PAST TUESDAY, 5:15, HE STOOD UP IN FRONT OF THE NEWS CAMERA AND STATED THAT MASTERS RANCH WAS ALWAYS A PLANNED COMMUNITY TO BE OWNED BY SAHA.
IF YOU NOTICE IN YOUR LETTER THAT I GAVE YOU, IT WILL STATE CONTRARY TO THAT.
BUT THE VALOR CLUB WEBSITE THAT HAS BEEN ON THE SAME -- BEEN THE SAME FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS, NEVER STATED THAT MASTERS RANCH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SOLD TO SAHA, IT WAS ALWAYS FOR VETERANS.
THEN IF IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO, WHY DID THEY TELL US THAT THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE AT OUR MEETING, THAT IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOVERNMENT VOUCHER HOUSING, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR VETERANS.
THIS PAST TUESDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME, US MEMBERS OF PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HEARD THAT THE VALOR CLUB MASTERS RANCH WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO SAHA.
OBVIOUSLY, ONE OF THOSE STATEMENTS IS NOT CORRECT.
IF YOU RECALL LAST MONTH, I ADVISED YOU ALL -- ADVISED EVERYONE THAT THEY SAID THEY WERE WORKING CLOSELY WITH ARMY NORTH.
THIS IS WITH THE ZONING HEARING AND WE PROVIDED PROOF THAT ARMY NORTH WAS NOT WORKING WITH MR. PEDROTTI OR ANYONE CONNECTED TO THE VALOR CLUB.
>> THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS CLUB STATED THEIR LEADERS FREQUENTLY SPEAK TO MANY COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
MR. PEDROTTI INCLUDED, BUT THEY CANNOT OR DO NOT PROMOTE OR ENDORSE OR SPONSOR ANY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OF ANY KIND.
AS WE ALL KNOW NOW THE VALOR CLUB HAS BEEN SOLICITING DONATIONS FOR MANY YEARS AT LEAST SINCE 2012 ALL THE WHILE ADVERTISING THEMSELVES AS 501C3 ORGANIZATION.
EVEN AFTER HAVING BUILT AND OPERATED MASTERS RANCH APARTMENT COMPLEX AS A GOVERNMENT ASSISTED HOUSING COMPLEX.
AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT DIDN'T SEEM PROPER TO ME FOR THE VALOR CLUB TO BE A 501C3 ORGANIZATION AND RECEIVE GOVERNMENT HOUSING VOUCHERS AT THE SAME TIME.
I SUBMITTED AN INQUIRY WITH THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
[03:25:03]
LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH IS UP ON THE BOARD AND YOU ALL HAVE A COPY, STATING, AND I PAIR PHRASE, AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION FOR REVIEW FOR POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF THE DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT AND OTHER CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS.THE LETTER IS LISTED AGAIN ON THE PROJECTOR AND YOU ALL HAVE A COPY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THEIR WEBSITE HAS BEEN PULLED LAST WEEKEND AT THE SAME TIME WE GOT THE LETTER.
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE VALOR CLUB CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS STATING THEY WERE GOING TO START ON THE GOLF COURSE YET THEY HAVE NOT EVEN SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR A PERMIT TO BEGIN.
IN JUNE OF 2015 AFTER GROUND BREAKING OF MASTERS RANCH, THEY STATED THEY WERE GOING TO START THE GOLF COURSE AND GET IT BUILT.
WE ARE NOW ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER AND NOT ONLY HAVE THEY NOT STARTED ON THE GOLF COURSE, OR EVEN REQUESTED MPERMITTING THEY CAN'T EVEN KEEP THE GRASS CUT.
IT APPEARS TO US AT THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER CITIZENS, WE PULLED THAT THE VALOR CLUB LOST ANY CREDIBILITY THEY ONCE HAD.
AND WHEN YOU UNANIMOUSLY AGREE THEY ARE NOT AN ORGANIZATION OF GOOD STANDING NOR ONE WE WOULD -- NOR ONE WE OR OUR REPRESENTATIVES, LEADERS OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO SHOULD CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH.
WE ARE CONFIDENT WE HAVE PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL REASONS, SOME THAT ARE VERY DISTURBING WHICH CAUSES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN.
FOR THESE REASONS THE VALOR CLUB'S REZONING REQUEST SHOULD BE DENIED.
WE ALSO REQUEST IF THE VALOR CLUB OR OTHER ANY COMPANIES WISH TO CONDUCT WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO THAT THEY BE SCRUTINIZED CLOSELY TO ENSURE THEY DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY.
THE MORE RESEARCH I DO, AND THE MORE PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH MANY OF WHOM ARE VETERANS AS WELL, AND I HEAR ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THE VALOR CLUB, THE MORE SADDENED I BECOME.
I BELIEVE WHAT STARTED OUT AS A POTENTIALLY GREAT IDEA, HAS TURNED INTO A SERIES OF FALSE PROMISES, INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS WITH A SHIFT FROM THEIR INITIAL MISSION OF PUTTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FIRST.
I NOTICE THERE ARE MANY CIGARETTE TRANS IN THE ROOM TODAY AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK OFFLINE I'D BE GLAD TO TALK TO THEM.
AS I STATED BEFORE, THE VALOR CLUB WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED WITH THE RETIREMENT HOUSING COMMUNITY FOR THE VETERANS.
AND NOW IT'S A GIANT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND WE HAVE YET TO SEE ANYTHING OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN THAT WAS ON THE WEBSITE LAST WEEK THAT STATED IT WAS GOING TO BE FOR VETERANS.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT BUT UNFORTUNATELY ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
ONE LAST THING I'D LIKE TO NOTE THAT I HAVE ALREADY BEEN AWARE OF TWO DIFFERENT FOLKS, VETERANS, THAT TRIED TO GET IN TO MASTERS RANCH BUT WERE DENIED BECAUSE THEY WERE MAKING TOO MUCH MONEY BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY COMPENSATION.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPE YOU CONSIDER OUR REQUEST SINCERELY.
>> SYLVIA PHILLIPS FOLLOWED BY DOROTHY MOYE.
>> HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY TIME TO MR. BEAM.
TO WHOM? I'M SORRY, CAN I JUST CLARIFY.
>> AND WHO WAS GIVING THEIR TIME TO MR. BOEHM?
[03:30:01]
I'M -->> I WANT TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION WITH THE HIGHLAND HILLS OWNER ASSOCIATION FOR A REQUEST OF THE ZONING CHANGE ON THE OLD PECAN VALLEY GOLF COURSE.
THIS IS A NATURAL PATHWAY FOR THE CREEK AND ITS RELATED ECOSYSTEM.
THE SUGGESTED CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOLLOWING, 1200 TO 1400 NEW APARTMENTS AND THREE HIGH RISE UNITS, A TWO-TIERED PARKING GARAGE, 36 FAMILY DWELLINGS A NATATORIUM, EQUAL TO OR LARGER THAN THE ONE AT PALO ALTO WHICH IS AN OLYMPIC SIZED ONE AND A 5,000 SEAT AUDITORIUM WHICH ONLY BE EXCEEDED BY THE DOME, FREEMAN COLISEUM AND AT&T CENTER.
OFFICES AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES, PRIVATELY OWNED.
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS MAGNITUDE WITHIN THE NATURAL FLOOD PLAIN OF THE CREEK AND RELATED ECOSYSTEM WILL CREATE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE WATERSHED AND GREEN BELT LOCATED IN SOUTHEAST SAN ANTONIO.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF WATERWAYS, ESPECIALLY BEAUTIFUL LOW BAYOU IN HOUSTON WHEN WATER CAME THAT WAY.
WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS PROBLEM? A LACK OF TRUTHFULNESS BY THE OWN OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT HAS CREATED A MASSIVE BOONDOGGLE.
SIX YEARS AGO, WERE ALL INDOCTRINATED HOO THE BELIEVE MASTERS RANCH AND RELATED CONSTRUCTION WAS A WOUNDED WARRIOR VETERAN PROJECT.
WHAT RESULTED WAS A SAHA SECTION 8 APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH VERY FEW IN ANY VETS RESIDING THERE.
I'M A VETERAN AND I FOUND THIS VERY DISTASTEFUL.
THE DECLARATION BY THE OWNER TUESDAY NIGHT HON K SATURDAY TV STATED THAT SAHA ACQUISITION WAS HIS ORIGINAL PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING.
NOT THE VETERAN RUN-UP AS HE HYPED.
ZONING REQUEST IS ABOUT FUNDING.
THIS MAN HAD SIX YEARS TO BUILD ANY AND ALL OF THE PROPOSE CONSTRUCTION HE NEEDED.
HE DIDN'T NEED A ZONING CHANGE.
WHAT HE NEEDS IS A ZONING CHANGE FOR FUNDING.
A CHANGE TO BUILD THREE NEW APARTMENT COMPLEXES, AND THE OTHER AS I'VE MENTIONED.
WE ARE NOT AGAINST AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SAN ANTONIO BUT MORE SAHA SECTION 8 UNITS, PUSHED INTO AN ALREADY SATURATED MULTI FAMILY AREA, IS SURELY NOT A PRUDENT PLAN OF ACTION.
NOW, I'M NOT GOING TO COME HERE AND GIVE YOU A PROBLEM WITHOUT GIVING YOU A SOLUTION, SO I'LL TRY TO GIVE YOU A SOLUTION.
HAVE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO PURCHASE THE REMAINING HE LAND AND ECOSYSTEM CONNECTING IT TO THE ADJACENT SOUTH SIDE ALLIANCE PARK AND GREENWAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THEY AREN'T BUILDING ANY MORE GREENWAYS, ANY MORE CREEKS OR RIVERS OR ECOSYSTEMS. ONCE YOU COMMERCIALIZE AN AREA, IT'S LOST FOREVER.
SAN ANTONIO HAS BEEN ON A GREAT GREEN BELT AND RECLAIMATION DRIVE FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.
WHY CAN'T THIS PORTION OF SOUTHEAST SAN ANTONIO BE EMBEDDED IN THAT PRESERVING GREEN SPACE WATERWAYS AND EEK DOE SYSTEM THAT THIS WHOLE CITY IS DRIVING SO SUCCESSFULLY.
>> SHELLIE CHANCE FOOLED BY KIM SH SCHR SCHROEDER.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK YOU TO TODAY.
I HAVE A LETTER FROM FORMER COUNTY -- COMMISSIONER.
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION'S ALTERNATIVE TO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS AS PRESENTLY PROPOSED FOR THE PECAN VALLEY GOLF COURSE AND SOLATO CREEK WATERSHED.
SIMPLY PUT IT IS PUTTING TOO MANY PEOPLE AT RISK OF THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTY IN SERIOUS FLOOD EVENTS DUE TO ITS OBVIOUS PROXIMITY TO THE CREEK.
THE AREA IS WITHIN THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BOUNDARY ADJACENT TO THE BOUNDARY WITH THE HIGHLAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WHICH
[03:35:02]
IS SOLATO CREEK ITSELF.THE ENTIRE AREA IS WITHIN A FEDERAL AGENCY FLOODPLAIN.
MORE FUNDAMENTALLY AS A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF THE CITY I'M PAINFULLY AWARE OF A NUMBER OF DRAMATIC FLOOD EVENTS THAT JUST OCCURRED IN ONE OF THESE, A GRANDFATHER, A DAUGHTER, A FATHER AND GRANDFATHER ALL DROWNED TOGETHER ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A FLOODING CREEK AT RIGS BYE AVENUE.
IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF LIFE, THERE HAVE BEEN LOSS OF PROPERTY.
FLOODED HOME AND RECURRENT NEED TO RESCUE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA BY THE SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I CAN ONLY THINK OF ONE WORD WHICH BEST DESCRIBES THE SOLATO CREEK DURING ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT FLOOD EVENTS I HAVE WITNESSED.
THE CREEK IS ALSO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE RUDIMENTARY AND HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OF EARL TEXAS.
SOME MAY WONDER WHY WE FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT SOLATO PROPOSALS.
SIMPLY PUT BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO MAKE MORE COMMON SENSE TO THOSE OF US NATIVES IN THE AREA.
LIKE TEXAS, WE WERE NOT HANDED ALL OF THIS LAND WE CALL HOME.
OUR FAMILIES FOUGHT FOR EVERY INCH OF IT AND IT'S UP TO ALL OF US WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL TOSS CONTINUE THAT ESSENTIAL FIGHT TO PRESERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE FROM LESS THAN THOUGHTFUL DEVELOPMENT.
>> KIM SCHROEDER, FOLLOWED BY RUTH MEDINE.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR OUR KENS.
I, MYSELF, MY BROTHER, MY MOM, AND MY SISTER, HAVE ALL OWNED PROPERTY AND HOMES ON PECAN GROVE FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW.
WE HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING TO HAVE DONE.
OUR CONCERNS HAVE FALLEN IMPORTANT DEAF EARS.
WE -- MY FAMILY, AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORHOODS, I BELIEVE, NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE I CAN SPEAK FOR, FELT AS THOUGH WE HAVE ALL BEEN RAILROADED.
WE HAVE BEEN MISLEAD AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED BY THE VALOR CLUB PROJECT FOR OVER SIX YEARS NOW.
I ALSO HAVE A LETTER HERE TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO READ TO YOU FOR THE RECORD FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROLAND GUTIERREZ, OPPOSING THE PROJECT.
I BELIEVE YOU ALL HAVE A COPY OF THAT AS WELL.
THIS IS TO THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
IT SAYS, I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY NUMEROUS CONSTITUENTS REGARDING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT THE VALOR CLUB IN HOUSE DISTRICT 119.
THE LETTER IS TO INFORM THE PECAN -- THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM THE PECAN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE LOCATED AT 4701 PECAN VALLEY DRIVE AND ENCOAMPUS SOUTHCROSS BOULEVARD.
THE RESIDENTS IN THE DIVISIONS AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO THE PROJECT.
CONCERNS RANGED FROM FIGHTING CONGESTED TRAFFIC AND ALSO STRAINED UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN FACT ONE OF THE MEETINGS A FIGHTING CONCERN WAS BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS HISTORICAL FLIGHTING ISSUES IN THE AREA.
DUE TO THE ISSUES AND FIGHTING CONCERNS I AM OPPOSED TO DEVELOPMENT.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME OR MY DISTRICT OFFICE.
IN HIS LETTER, THESE ARE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE HAD FROM DEVELOPERS AND TO KNOW ABOUT.
THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING COUNCIL TO PLEASE VOTE NO ON THIS PROJECT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
I'M USUALLY HERE WITH YOU ON PROJECT QUEST BUSINESS, BUT TODAY I AM HERE REPRESENTING -- BEING A RESIDENT OF PECAN VALLEY.
OUR RESIDENT IS LOCATED AT 4618 PECAN GROVE.
OUR HOME IS A MULTI GENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLD CONSISTING OF MYSELF, MY HUSBAND, MY DAUGHTER AND
[03:40:01]
SON-IN-LAW AND OUR GRANDDAUGHTER VIVIAN.AND ACROSS THE STREET, MY PARENTS, SAMUEL AND JANIE GONZALES.
SO, OUR STREET IS NOT ONLY OUR HOUSEHOLD -- OUR LEGACY HOME, BUT ALSO A COME MUNICH FOR FAMILIES.
WE ALL BELIEVE IN FAMILY AT PECAN VALLEY.
THE FIRST OF OUR MANY CONCERNS FOR OUR DECISION IS BASED ON THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY, IN PECAN VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS AND OUR HOMES.
OUR PARTICULAR HOME IS SITUATED ON AN ACRE OF PROPERTY WITH THE SOLATO CREEK AS OUR BARKYARD.
THE SPECIFIC AREA ON WHICH OUR PROPERTY SEATS IS CALLED AN OXBOW, A UNIQUE WATER WAY WHICH WATER FLOWS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.
WE ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN THE FLOODPLAIN.
I DO WANT TO SHARE THIS PICTURE, IF I MAY.
WE'RE NOT CONSIDERED IN THE FLOODPLAIN, CHARLES SHARED THIS PICTURE WITH YOU EARLIER.
THIS WAS OUR BACK DECK IN FEBRUARY.
WE DID RECEIVE A LETTER FROM FEMA TWO WEEKS AGO REMINDING US THAT WE SHOULD IN FACT REINSTATE OUR FLOOD INSURANCE.
WHILE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HAS NOT HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SEE THE ACTUAL PLANS FOR THE FULLY PREPARED DEVELOPMENT, AND/OR ACTUAL DUAL FUNCTIONAL NATATORIUM FACILITY, WE UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPER REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEVELOPER REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE INTENT IS TO BUILD AN OLYMPIC STYLE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR NATATORIUM, AQUATIC CENTER FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USE.
THE PROBLEM BEGINS WITH THE PROPOSED PLACEMENT OF FACILITIES WHICH WOULD BE LOCATED BEHIND AND WEST OF BUENA VISTA REHABILITATION FACILITY LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF PECAN DRIVE WHICH IS WHERE WE LIVE AND SOUTHCROSS.
THE ENTRANCE OF NATATORIUM WOULD BE LOCATED ON EAST SOUTH CROSS YARDS AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE, ENTERING AN ON TO THE CREEK AREA WHERE THE NATATORIUM FACILITIES WOULD BE BUILT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE WOULD LIKE FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THIS DEVELOPMENT AGAIN BASED ON THE SAFETY AND CONGESTION OF OUR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY HAVEN'T TO PROVIDE COUNCIL A POINT OF REVERENCE AND SCALE, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE IN COMPARISON AN ACTUAL DEMOGRAPHICS STATISTICS PROVIDED BY OUR PALO ALTO COLLEGE SPECIFIC TO THE INDOOR NATATORIUM AND 8700 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING STRUCTURE PLUS 120 PARKING SPACES TO SUPPORT THE FACILITY.
THE SKRIS TORE DEMOGRAPHICS FOR 2017 SO 25,965 CARS USED IN THE LOT AND APPROXIMATELY 74,897 ATTENDEES USED BY THE FACILITY.
BASED ON THIS COMPARISON, WE DON'T SEE HOW OUR INFRASTRUCTURE CURRENTLY COULD ASSIST, OR FACILITATE THIS PROJECT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT.
>> FOLLOWED BY PATRICIA DEL RIO.
AS YOU KNOW, MY NAME IS DAVID MORALES.
I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU'RE GIVING ME TO VOICE MY CONCERNS IN THE PLACE I ACTUALLY LIVE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF PECAN GROVE.
I'VE LIVED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 30 YEARS.
IT'S QUITE SOME TIME WE'VE BEEN THERE.
WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE BATTLE OF THIS PROCESS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
I AGREED WITH MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS WHO CAME UP AND SHARED WITH THEIR REQUEST TO VOTE NO.
I NOTE NO AND ASK FOR YOU ALL TO VOTE NO IN THIS PROCESS AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE REASONS THAT ARE THE VOLUMING.
WHEN WE TELL YOU OUR AREA, IF YOU KNOW IT, IT'S SOUTH CROSS AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDE OF SOUTHCROSS AND IT ALSO BORDERS PECAN VALLEY ROAD.
IN THAT AREA OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FITS.
WE HAVE THREE APARTMENT COMPLEXES ON THE NORTH SIZE OF SOUTHCROSS.
THE SOUTHCROSS SQUARE APARTMENTS, 85 UNITS, PECAN VALLEY GOLF CLUB APARTMENTS, 379 UMTS AND MASTERS RANCH THAT'S NEW TO THE AREA, 252 UNITS SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE RATIO, WE'RE OVER TWO TO ONE RATIO WITH APARTMENTS HAVING THE WIN ON THAT FOR THE HOUSES THAT ARE THERE.
SO, WE HAVE -- IT'S DENSE AREA, AND WE'VE HAD PAINTED STRIPES COME IN TO HELP WITH OUR TRAFFIC SITUATION BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BIGGEST IS THE SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE FLOODING.
AS A KID, I'VE GROWN UP AND ONE OF THE THINGS AFTER IT RAINS YOU LOOK OVER THE BRIDGE AND SEE HOW HIGH THE WATER IS, WHERE THE WATER LEVEL IS AND IT FLOODS.
MY HOUSE BACKS UP TO THE CREEK.
IT FLOODS ON THE HOUSE NOT ONLY THE HOUSE BUT THE LOWER HALF OF MY BACKYARD DOES FLOOD.
THE HIGHEST I'VE SEEN IT COME IS
[03:45:01]
12 FEET.TO GIVE THE CONCERN, AN ANSWER TO OUR CONCERN FROM THE ENGINEER, HE SA SAID WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CREEK FLOW OF THE DEVELOPED AREA, IT POOLS ON THE EAST AND WEST BANKS.
THEY ARE GOING TO FILL THE WATER -- OR, FILL THAT VOID BASIN THAT'S THERE RIGHT NOW TO PUSH THE WATER FASTER UNDER THE BRIDGE AND ON TO THE SOUTH END OF THE DEVELOPED AREA AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO SLOW THE WATER DOWN IS PUT IN A DRIVING RANGE AND THAT WILL SLOW THE WATER DOWN.
THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE FLOOD ISSUE THAT ALREADY EXISTS.
THIS IS A FEMA DESIGNATED FLOOD ZONE.
ANYTHING WE PUT INSIDE WILL OVERWHELM THE -- IT'S UNABLE TO HANDLE THE MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER THAT GOES THROUGH THAT THAT MOTHER NATURE BRINGS TO US ON AN UNKNOWN DATE.
ON THIS, IN THIS PROCESS WE'VE BEEN HELD UP WITH A LOT OF TACTICS HOW THEY'VE COME TO US WITH INFORMATION PIECEMEAL AT A TIME.
WE HAD SUPPORT LETTERS THE LAST TIME TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING, FOR REZONING, IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF WE'RE MET WITH.
SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'VE HAD ONLY THE COUNCIL WOMEN -- AND THIS IS YOUR DISTRICT --
WE'VE HAD MEETINGS, FIVE MIDDLE EASTINGS WHERE WE MET WITH THE DEVELOPER.
WE'VE GONE OVER COVENANTS THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY GET AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE BEHIND THEM.
YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD OUR NEIGHBORS THAT SAID WHY WE DO NOT TRUST THE DEVELOPER INTENT.
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS THERE.
WE'VE HAD COUNCILMAN, YOU'VE BEEN THERE FOR THE FIRST 30 MINUTES AT THE FIRST MEETING WE THERE FOR JANUARY OR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE MEETING THERE AND YOU HAD A REPRESENTATIVE THERE FAITHFULLY EVERY TIME WE MET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD BE JAMES GRIFFIN WHO HAS HAD ENORMOUS JOB BEING ABLE TO DO DEAL WITH US, AND FIND SOME WORKABILITY BUT IT'S TOO DENSE.
WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING TO DO IS PLAY WITH NATURE.
IT'S GOING TO FLOOD OUT OTHER HOMES.
THE SAFETY OF OUR HOMES ARE PUT IN JEOPARDY SO WE CAN HAVE DEVELOPMENT INSIDE.
IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID THAT COUNCILWOMAN YOUR VOTE IS A YES.
ONLY REASON I SAY THAT YOU'VE GIVEN PREF ENS TO STAFFERS AND DEVELOPERS, JUST THE WAY WE SET UP MEETINGS.
JUST LAST TUESDAY IT WAS VERY APPARENT WITHES RESIDENTS WITH THE NEED YATER BROUGHT THERE.
WINSLOW SMORT, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
HE SAID WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN WALKING DISTANCE OF YOU SO WE CAN PUT THAT IN THE PROJECT.
THE WAY THINGS ARE COMING TO US, IT WASN'T WE'RE ADDRESSING YOUR CONCERNS WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN GET INTO CO COVENANTS AND SIGNED THOSE.
WE COULD NOT SPACE IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE THE CLAUSE WOULD SAID IF WE WERE TO SPEAK THEY WOULD BECOME NULL AND VOID.
IMAGINE WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAY IN THIS PROCESS HAD WE SIGNED THOSE COVENANTS BECAUSE WE WOULD STILL BE IN THE BOAT WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE NO COVENANTS SIGNED AND WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE'RE RELYING ON YOU ALL.
I'M PLEADING WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PLEASE VOTE NO BECAUSE IT WILL JEOPARDIZE THE HOMES INSIDE HERE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE ALSO FOUND OUT AT THE MEETING AT COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN TWO TUESDAYS AGATHA THIS WILL IMPACT 800 CARS IN THIS AREA, IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA FOR THE PEAK TIMES.
YOU IMAGINE 800 CARS IN EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND, THEY COME IN AT PEAK TIMES, SO WE REALIZE THAT'S GOING TO OVERWHELM OUR RODS INSIDE THERE.
IF YOU GO THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHTS, OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN MANIPULATE TRAFFIC TIMES AND THAT CAN BE DONE BUT TO HANDLE 800 IS EXTREME.
THEN OUR AREA IS MAINLY A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE AREA ALL AROUND YOU'LL FIND MORE HOMES.
YOU WON'T FIND A LOT OF BUSINESSES INSIDE THERE.
SO, THIS IS BRINGING IN AND TURNING INTO THE MIXED USE, GOING TO MAKE IT A HUGE COMMERCIAL SO THE TRAFFIC WILL BE FLOWING THROUGH THERE ALL OF THE TIME AND I ASK THIS OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL COME TO SPEAK FOR THE VALOR CLUB, HOW MANY OF THEM LIVE IN THE MASTERS RANCH? HOW MANY OF THEM WILL BE PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT? THERE'S $200 MILLION YOU CAN HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
>> FOR $200 MILLION YOU CAN HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED.
WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THINGS OTHER THAN OUR HOME, OUR DIGNITY AND THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.
THIS HAS BROUGHT US A LOT CLOSER TOGETHER BUT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT WATER IN OUR HOUSE.
WE DON'T WANT OUR LIVES TO BE DISRUPTED AND DEVASTATED THROUGG
[03:50:02]
THE UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PROPOSED HERE I ASK YOU JUST TO CONSIDER IF YOU WERE IN THIS BOAT AND YOU WERE ON THIS SIDE OF THE PODIUM, WHAT WOULD YOUR VOTE BE? IF YOU WOULD VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE IN THAT WAY AND SAY KNOW TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.THIS WOULD DEVASTATE OUR AREA, OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I WOULD GIVE THIS ONE THING, COUNCILWOMAN, YOU GAVE A HELP TO US.
WE TOLD HER THE COVENANTS COULD NOT BE ENFORCED BY US.
WE COULD NOT BE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE LEGAL BATTLES IF THEY WERE TO VIOLATE THE COVENANTS.
YOU DID SUGGEST WE GET THE EAST CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE A PART OF OUR COVENANTS BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE THE LEGAL PURSE TO GO AFTER THE VALOR CLUB.
WE DO NOT WANT TO LIVE WITH THE FEAR WHEN IT RAINS THAT WATER IS GOING TO COME INTO OUR HOUSE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT I HAVE SEEN, BUT I HEARD MY NEIGHBORS SPEAK ON THOSE AND TELL YOU AND WARN YOU ABOUT THOSE.
I DO SUPPORT MY NEIGHBOR, MR. BANE, WHO SAID WE DO WANT THIS TO BE AN EXTENSION OF SOUTH SIDE LION'S PARK AND WE ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO VOTE NO.
THEY LEGALLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BUILD 3300-PLUS UNITS INSIDE THERE.
WE TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD AND BUILD THOSE.
BUT IT'S PREDICATED ON THE FACT THAT THERE'S MONEY AT STAKE HERE THAN THE PROPOSED MISSION THEY HAVE STATED ON THEIR NOW FORMER WEBSITE.
SO I ASK YOU TO PLEASE VOTE NO IN THE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE VALOR CLUB.
>> GONZALES: PATRICIA DEL RIO FOLLOWED BY BELINDA SANCHEZ.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN WITH MY FAMILY SINCE 1977.
MY CHILDREN HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT HISTORY IF WE CAN KEEP THE PROPERTY SAFE.
I ACTUALLY AM GOING TO READ TWO LETTERS.
ONE IS FROM MR. STEVEN ESCOBEDO, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS VETERAN.
AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GOLF TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE VALOR CLUB I'M VERY DISTURBED FROM WHAT I HEARD ON THE NEWS LAST NIGHT.
THE VALOR CLUB WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE OPERATED BY SAHA, AS STATED.
I DO NOT EVER RECALL DISCUSSING OR VOTING THAT SAHA WOULD RUN AND OPERATE THE VALOR CLUB OR THE HOUSING COMMUNITY.
THE VALOR CLUB WAS DESIGNED FOR MILITARY VETERANS WHO NEEDED A FRESH START TO THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITY.
I KNOW FIRSTHAND OF A MILITARY VETERAN WHO WAS DENIED AN APARTMENT WHEN HE APPLIED HE WAS TOLD HE MADE TOO MUCH MONEY AND COULD NOT MOVE IN.
MY BLOOD BOILS AS I RELIVE SPEAKING WITH THAT MILITARY VETERAN AND HOW DISTRAUGHT HE WAS.
HE WAS IN A VERY BAD PLACE AND NEEDED HOUSING.
SOON AFTER THAT, I LEARNED THAT LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WERE BEING ALLOWED TO MOVE INTO THE APARTMENTS.
THE MORE THAT I BECAME INVOLVED AND LEARNED WHAT WAS NOT HAPPENING TO ASSIST THE MILITARY VETERANS IN THEIR TIME OF NEED AND TRANSITION AS I WAS LED TO BELIEVE, I RESIGNED MY POSITION.
MY HEART COULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS NOT DELIVERING ON WHAT WAS DESIGNATED FOR MILITARY VETERANS.
MR. ESCOBEDO LEAVES HIS PHONE NUMBER IF ANYONE NEEDED TO DISCUSS FURTHER.
IT'S SIGNED STEVEN ESCOBEDO, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS VETERAN.
THE SECOND LETTER I HAVE IS FROM JENNIFER RAMOS, FORMER DISTRICT 3 COUNCILWOMAN.
AS A FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER I KNOW EACH OF YOU UNDERSTAND HOW YEARS AND YEARS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD'S HOPES AND CONCERNS CAN SOMETIMES BE DISTILLED IN A SINGLE ZONING CASE.
THAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH 201-8073.
THE RESIDENTS OF SAN ANTONIO EAST/SOUTHEAST SIDE HAVE HAD THE FUTURE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS IN DOUBT SINCE THE CLOSING OF THE PECAN VALLEY GOLF COURSE.
EVEN WHEN I SAT ON CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3 FROM 2008 TO 2012 IT WAS CLEAR THE NOW DEFUNCT GOLF COURSE WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO CALL THEM HOME.
I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE LETTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION IF YOU NEED.
[03:55:02]
SANCHEZ.BELINDA SANCHEZ FOLLOWED BY TONY TORRES.
DAVID DOHERTY FOLLOWED BY JAMES GORDON.
JUST WANT TO TALK MORE OF THE WHY OF THE VALOR CLUB.
MY NAME IS TONY TORRES, 32 YEAR ARMY VETERAN, RETIRED.
SERVED THREE TOURS, TWO IN IRAQ, ONE IN AFGHANISTAN.
I FOUND GOLF ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.
AS I WAS GOING THROUGH, AFTER MY SECOND DEPLOYMENT THROUGH IRAQ I HAD A RUN-IN WITH PTSD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY.
AND I FOUND THAT PLACE THAT I COULD GO TO TO CONTINUE TO COPE WITH MY PROBLEMS WITH SOCIETY, WITH WORK, WITH MY FAMILY.
AS I HAVE TRANSITIONED OUT OF THE MILITARY MY GOAL IS TO GIVE BACK TO THE VETERANS.
I CURRENTLY WORK FOR FORESIGHT GOLF.
I'M A DIRECTOR AT THE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE.
WE HOST CLINICS FOR VETERANS, WOUNDED WARRIORS, TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS.
JUST TO HELP THEM HAVE SOMETHING TO DO DURING THE DAY.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PLAN OR PEOPLE WHEN YOU TRANSITION, IT'S HARD.
EVEN MYSELF AS A 50-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHEN I TRANSITIONED, IT WAS DIFFICULT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE THERE TO HELP YOU, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO, IT'S HARD TO CONTINUE ON AND FIND YOUR PLACE WITHIN SOCIETY.
SO IN CLOSING, THE VALOR CLUB IS A PLACE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS TO GO TO TO LIVE, PLAY, AND THRIVE.
IT'S A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SERVICE MEMBERS YOUNG AND OLD TO COME TO TO PLAY GOLF, TO GET ASSISTANCE, TO GET HOUSING, TO JUST CONTINUE TO TRANSITION INTO SOCIETY.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: DAVID DOHERTY FOLLOWED BY JAMES GORDON.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I'M A RETIRED COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
I SERVED 25 YEARS, 57 MONTHS IN COMBAT AND NOW I AM RETIRED IN SAN ANTONIO AND I HAVE A VOICE.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS SOME OF MY THOUGHTS OF SITTING HERE TODAY.
I HAVE KNOWN DAN FOR EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS NOW.
EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS AGO THERE WAS A SITUATION WHERE I SAID, HEY, I WOULD LOVE TO GET SOME OF OUR VETERANS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WERE GOING THROUGH REHABILITATION AT THE CENTER FOR INTREPID.
THAT WAS EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS AGO.
HE'S STILL HELPING OUT OUR VETERANS.
LET'S GO BACK TO, I HAVE HEARD COMMENTS ABOUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN SIX YEARS AT THE VALOR CLUB OR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
THERE'S OVER 500 VETERANS THAT HAVE BEEN SERVED BY DAN AT THE VALOR CLUB AND WORKING THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS AND DOING THINGS WITH THE VALOR CLUB.
HE'S ALWAYS THERE FOR US FOR EVERYTHING WE HAVE ASKED FOR.
HIS GOAL HAS NOT CHANGED IN SIX YEARS.
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE-FOOT BARRIERS PUT IN FRONT BECAUSE OF LIFE BUT THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED.
HIS MISSION IS STILL THE SAME.
TO PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY, FROM ACTIVE DUTY OR WHATEVER THEIR CAUSE HAS TAKEN THEM, AND BROUGHT THEM TO OUR FAIR CITY, AND GIVING THEM A VESSEL OR A PLACE THAT THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN AND TRANSITION TO THE NEW NORMAL.
DAN IS THE SAME PERSON TODAY AS HE WAS EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS AGO WHEN A YOUNG ENLISTED GUY WENT UP AND ASKED FOR A FAVOR.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: JAMES GORDON FOLLOWED BY KEVIN COFORD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I AM RETIRED ARMY SERGEANT JAMES GORDON.
I HAVE KNOWN DAN AS WELL AS DAVID ABOUT EIGHT YEARS.
SINCE DAY ONE HE HAS BEEN 100% IN IT TO HELP OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY.
HE OPENS UP HIS GOLF COURSES TO US ALL THE TIME NOW.
SO I CAN GET OTHER WOUNDED VETERANS PLAYING OUT IN THE GOLF CLUB.
IT'S AN INCREDIBLE IDEA WHICH I SEE BEING HUGE.
I WAS FORTUNATE TO KEEP BOTH OF MY LEGS.
I HAVE SEVERAL BUDDIES WHO ARE WHEELCHAIR BOUND AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE THEY CAN GO.
THE VALOR CLUB IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES THAT'S GOING TO BE HUGE FOR THAT.
SECOND -- I LOST WHERE I WAS AT.
KEVIN COFORD FOLLOWED BY DOMINIC
[04:00:06]
PADRADE.>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
I'M ONE OF THE TOP BROKERS IN SAN ANTONIO FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.
I AM ALSO THE FOUNDER OF THE DELTA KILO ORGANIZATION WHICH SUPPORTS OUR SPECIAL OPERATIONS VETERANS.
I AM NOT RETIRED MILITARY BUT MY GRANDFATHER SERVED IN WORLD WAR I AND KOREA.
MY ONE REGRET IN LIFE IS NOT SERVING, SO THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK.
THAT'S WHY WE CREATED THE FOUNDATION WE HAVE.
I HAVE KNOWN DAN FOR FIVE YEARS.
I MET DAVID, WHO YOU JUST HEARD SPEAK, ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO WHEN ALL OF US CAME TOGETHER THROUGH OUR SERVICE TO OUR VETERANS.
I DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY FOR WHAT I DO FOR OUR VETERANS, JUST THE TIME TO GIVE BACK.
IN GETTING TO KNOW WHAT OUR VETERANS GO THROUGH, THEY NEED COMMUNITY.
COMMUNITY IS WHAT KEEPS THEM ALIVE.
COMMUNITY IS WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING.
WHEN THEY COME BACK FROM BEING DOWN RANGE FROM SEEING THINGS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA THE HORRORS THEY HAVE SEEN.
THEY COME BACK TO A PLACE THAT DOESN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH AND WHAT THEY'VE SEEN.
TWO NIGHTS AGO I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE WIFE OF A GREEN BERET.
HE'S GETTING OUT IN SIX MONTHS.
HE WENT OVERSEAS RECENTLY FOR HIS LAST STOP.
HE'S BEEN DEALING WITH ALCOHOLISM.
HE'S BEEN DEALING WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THESE GUYS, BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN.
THE REASON HE'S BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THIS IS BECAUSE AS MUCH AS WE SIT HERE AND TELL HIM THAT WE GOT HIS BACK AND WE UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S GOING THROUGH, THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT.
THEY NEED THAT COMMUNITY AROUND THEM OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH.
HE CALLED HER THE OTHER NIGHT IN TEARS, BREAKING DOWN BECAUSE HE WATCHED A MOVIE -- WHICH I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN -- CALLED THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
IT WAS A MOVIE ABOUT THE VETERAN COMMUNITY AND GUYS AND GALS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT HE'S GOING THROUGH.
HE COULD BARELY HOLD HIMSELF TOGETHER.
BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A COMMUNITY AROUND HIM HE CALLED THE PEOPLE HE'S BEEN WORKING TO WORK THROUGH THE ALCOHOL ABUSE AND SCHEDULE A BED AT THE IN-PATIENT AREA AT SAMMC TO GO THROUGH AND GET HELP WHEN HE GETS BACK.
THIS IS WHAT DAN IS TRYING TO DO.
I CAN SPEAK TO THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.
WE ARE ON A CITY BUILT ON WATER.
THE PEARL BREWERY WAS ENVISIONED BY A GUY WITH A VISION ON A BODY OF WATER.
THERE ARE WAYS TO ENGINEER THINGS -- AND I'M PRETTY SURE DAN IS SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS THING ENGINEERED THAT IT WON'T AFFECT A CREEK.
HE WANTS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY, BEAUTIFY THE AREA, BEAUTIFY THE CREEK, AND HE WANTS TO SAVE LIVES AT THE SAME TIME.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THANK YOU, MR. CRAWFORD.
DOMINIC PADRADE FOLLOWED BY GEORGE BLOCK.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY TIME TO GEORGE BLOCK.
>> AND I HOPE I DON'T USE HIS TIME.
MAYOR PRO TEM, COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR WORKING WITH THIS PROJECT.
DAN AND MIKE SHOWED UP AT MY OFFICE AT HAVEN FOR HOPE WHEN I WAS WORKING THERE.
AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES COULD BE BEST CITED AT THE VALOR CLUB.
I TOLD THEM ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAD IN THE CITY, THE NEEDS IN THE STATE AND WHAT WE COULD DO TO CREATE SPORTS TOURISM IN THAT AREA.
I SAID THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT COULD GO ON THERE.
BECAUSE HERE AT HAVEN THE ONLY GROUP THAT WE CAN'T SAY GRACE OVER ARE VETERAN FAMILIES.
BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME INCOME AND SOME PLACE TO STAY.
SO THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WE COULD DO FOR THEM.
AND IT WAS HEARTBREAKING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND SINCE 2012 THAT MISSION HAS NEVER CHANGED.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND JOB TRAINING WITH THERAPEUTIC RECREATION AS A PART OF IT.
IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS YOU WELL KNOW, 60% OF ALL WOUNDED WARRIORS COME THROUGH SAMMC.
WE HAVE 28,000 WOUNDED WARRIORS LIVING IN SAN ANTONIO RIGHT NOW.
IF I COULD JUST GET MY FELLOW BLUE HATS TO STAND UP JUST TO
[04:05:02]
SHOW WHO IS HERE.EVERYBODY DIDN'T GET TO TALK BUT EVERYBODY IS SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT, AND THEY ARE FROM ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
ALL OF THEM ARE HERE TO SUPPORT VETERANS.
THIS PROJECT, THESE GOALS, THIS PLAN HAS HARDLY EVER WAVERED.
WE'RE GOING TO TURN THIS INTO A PARK, INTO AN INCREDIBLE GOLF COURSE, CYCLING, BMX COURSES, LINEAR CREEKS, A POOL.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE QUITE THE SCOPE OF PALO ALTO BUT IT WILL BE A POOL.
FITNESS CENTERS, PARALYMPIC AND OLYMPIC SPORTS, ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, HOW ABOUT IF WE SAY LET US HELP THEM PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS THEY HAVE HELPED US PROVIDE FOR OUR FREEDOM.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: THAT IS EVERYONE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
I FIRST WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING EVERYBODY WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO BE HERE TODAY AND TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS, NOT JUST HERE BUT THE LAST TIME IT WAS HERE AT EVERY ZONING COMMISSION MEETING AND AT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING THAT WE HAVE HAD THAT YOU ALL HAVE HOSTED AND THAT I HAVE HOSTED.
AND BY CALLING MY OFFICE AND BY ATTENDING SO MANY MEETINGS.
AND DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, DESPITE MY OFFICE'S BEST EFFORTS, WHICH EVEN INCLUDED, AS MENTIONED, UTILIZING A MEDIATOR, THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE RESIDENTS WERE NOT ABLE TO REACH AN AMICABLE COMPROMISE.
WHILE I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE OUTCOME OR THE LACK OF ONE OF THESE MEETINGS, I CANNOT SIT IDLY BY AND DO NOTHING.
I BELIEVE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE FOR US TO SHAPE OUR OWN FUTURE AND TO CREATE PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WHILE MAINTAINING THE CHARM, THE BEAUTY, AND THE AUTHENTICITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY DOES NOT SLIP AWAY.
AND THIS PARTICULAR ZONING CASE IS AMONGST THE MOST CHALLENGING THAT I HAVE FACED SINCE TAKING OFFICE.
DENYING THIS CASE OR VOTING NO IS A VOTE FOR THE STATUS QUO, AND THAT MEANS THE DOOR WOULD REMAIN WIDE OPEN TO ALLOW UP TO 3400 APARTMENT UNITS TO BE BUILT ON THIS SITE WITHOUT ANY SAFEGUARDS OR PROTECTIONS.
NO ONE HERE WANTS TO SEE THE LAND DEVELOPED LIKE THAT IN THIS MANNER.
AND I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IN THAT ASPECT.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.
AND THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS MANY OF YOU ALL HERE, MANY OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED A LACK OF TRUST.
I UNDERSTAND THEIR SENTIMENTS.
BUT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL TO HOLD THE OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE ON THE STIPULATIONS SET FORTH TODAY TO ENSURE THAT THEY IN FACT KEEP THEIR PROMISES.
AND I ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL REMAIN STEADFAST IN THIS TASK.
WITH THAT, I WANT TO CALL UP JAMES GRIFFITH, THE APPLICANT.
AND SOME THINGS I WANT TO JUST MAKE CLEAR FOR MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AS WELL.
THERE WERE MANY THINGS MENTIONED ABOUT SAHA OWNING PROPERTY.
IT'S ACTUALLY OWNED BY THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST.
SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST, WHICH MANY OF US SIT ON, IS PART OF THE MASTERS RANCH.
IT'S THE HOUSING TRUST THAT OWNS THAT PORTION.
SO, JAMES, YOU HAVE AN AMENDED SITE PLAN THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO CITY STAFF.
>> VIAGRAN: PART OF THIS AMENDED SITE PLAN IS BRINGING UP CONCERNS THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD.
THIS IS A COUPLE OF ITEMS. THE FIRST ONE IS THAT THERE WILL BE NO VEHICULAR CONNECTION TO PECAN GROVE EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
>> VIAGRAN: AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE WITH THE SITE PLAN THAT GOES WITH THE CODE, THE ORDINANCE MOVING FORWARD TODAY.
>> VIAGRAN: ALSO THAT THIS WILL NOT EXCEED THE RESIDENTIAL UNITS WILL NOT EXCEED 1400 UNITS.
>> VIAGRAN: AND THIS IS ALSO GOING TO INCLUDE FOR SALE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
[04:10:02]
THAT'S BEEN ADDED.IT'S ALMOST 11 ACRES ABUTTING WHERE THE ONLY EXISTING HOMES ARE THAT YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT ALONG PECAN GROVE.
IT'S ON THE SITE PLAN GUARANTEED THAT THEY WON'T BE MORE THAN TWO STORIES.
IT WILL BE LIMITED IN NUMBER, AND IT WILL BE LIMITED TO FOR SALE SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING, WHICH WAS A REQUEST OF THE NEIGHBORS.
>> VIAGRAN: AND ANOTHER THING THAT IS MENTIONED HERE THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WAS ON HERE AND THAT THE RESIDENTS EVEN DISCUSSED IN OTHER MEETINGS THAT WERE HAD WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE A RETIREMENT OR AGING IN PLACE CENTER OR LIVING SPACE HERE ON THIS PROPERTY.
THIS IS ALSO PART OF THE AMENDED SITE PLAN.
IT WILL BE INCLUDED WITH THE REZONING ORDINANCE.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I DO WANT TO THANK MR. BLOCK, BECAUSE HE DID MENTION THAT WE ARE INTENDING TO HAVE THE GOLF COURSE THAT WILL ABUT THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF SOUTH SIDE LIONS PARK AND REACH ALL THE WAY DOWN.
SO WE WILL HAVE GREEN SPACE THERE STILL.
WHERE THE GOLF COURSE IS GOING TO GO UP.
AND WE WILL HAVE A HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.
I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU.
ALSO FOR MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO KNOW THAT IN JANUARY THE CONVERSATIONS HAD BEEN STARTED WITH THE RESIDENTS.
BECAUSE MY PROCESS IS WHEN AN APPLICANT THEY HAD BEEN WORKING BACK AND FORTH ON DEED RESTRICTIONS.
THEY ARE HERE IN DRAFT FORM RIGHT NOW.
AND SO PART OF THESE THAT ARE STILL INCLUDED IN THESE DEED RESTRICTIONS THAT I'M GOING INTO ENTER INTO THE RECORD RIGHT NOW INCLUDE A COMMUNITY COORDINATION THAT'S GOING TO HAVE QUARTERLY UPDATES WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP UP ON THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT.
THE DENSITY, AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE.
THAT THERE IS SINGLE-FAMILY BUFFER ZONE, THAT WE ALSO MENTIONED.
THAT IS ACTUALLY ON THE ZONING.
ALSO BUILDING HEIGHT AND HEIGHT RESTRICTION IS ALSO IN THESE COVENANTS.
THE LOCATION AND THE NO INCREASE TO THE FLOODING OR STORM WATER RUNOFF.
SOME PROHIBITION USES ARE IN HERE AS WELL AND THE REQUIRING USE OF HIGH-QUALITY BUILDING MATERIALS.
ALSO FENCING AND REQUIREMENT TO CREATE A PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION.
AS I SAID, SOME OTHER PROHIBITED USES.
NOW, THESE ARE JUST SOME BUT WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH AN ENTITY, AN ORGANIZATION, SOUTH SIDE FIRST, TO LOOK AT BEING THE EXECUTOR OF THESE SO THEY WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO WORK.
AND THEY DO INTEND TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO STILL GET THEIR PROGRESS -- THEIR INPUT ON THESE DEED RESTRICTIONS MOVING FORWARD.
BUT EVEN WITH THAT, MR. GRIFFIN, I WANTED TO ASK YOU BEFORE THAT YOU ALL WOULD BE AMENABLE, THAT YOU WOULD BE -- NO.
THAT YOU WOULD BE AMENABLE, BEFORE PULLING ANY BUILDING PERMITS FOR THIS PROJECT, THIS REZONED PROJECT, THAT YOU WOULD EXECUTE THESE DEED RESTRICTIONS BEFORE YOU PULL ANY BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE REZONED PROPERTY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE TO FINALIZE THESE.
>> VIAGRAN: SO, ROD, YOU HEARD WHAT HE SAID, RIGHT?
I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW.
AND SO I THINK ONE THING IS CLEAR, AND I WANT MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO HEAR THIS CLEARLY IS THAT BOTH MYSELF AND THE NEIGHBORS HERE TODAY,OD WE LOVE AND CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS JUST A DIFFERENT WAY OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE UTILIZING THAT CARE AND THAT PRESERVATION AND THOSE SAFEGUARDS.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR HOUSING IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR
[04:15:02]
ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF SAN ANTONIO, AND IN THIS AREA IN PARTICULAR.WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THE REVITALIZATION IS COMING SINCE THE CLOSING OF THE SOUTHEAST BAPTIST HOSPITAL.
THIS DEVELOPMENT CAN BE UNIQUE AND CAN BE WORLD CLASS AND CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY.
WE HEARD FROM GENERAL PRINGLE, WE HEARD FROM THE OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL THIS MORNING AS WELL.
AND WE CAN SEE THIS AS A MILITARY CORRIDOR.
AND WE KNOW THAT NOW THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS TURNED TO A FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE BACK ON THE TAX ROLLS FOR THE CITY AND FOR THE EAST CENTRAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MEET WITH THEIR NEEDS THAT ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD.
AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT BOTH OF US HERE, EVEN IF WE'RE SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION, THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MYSELF AND THE NEIGHBORS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE AREA AND FOR THE CITY.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THAT'S WHY I CAN'T JUST ALLOW IT TO BE WHERE IT IS JUST SETTLE FOR MF-33.
BECAUSE I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M TAKING STEPS TO SAFEGUARD AND PUT PROTECTIONS ON THERE AND HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE, MR. PADRADE.
I KNOW THAT THE SOUTH SIDE DESERVES GREAT STUFF AND I WANT THIS TO BE GREAT, BUT IT HAS TO BE WORKING WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS TOO.
AFTER MUCH CAREFUL DELIBERATION AND REVIEW AND WORK WITH THIS REQUEST, I WILL BE VOTING YES TO DOWN ZONE AS RECOMMENDED BY CITY STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION.
I BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY TO INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA AND TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF OVER 3,000 APARTMENT UNITS FROM BEING BUILT IN THIS AREA TOO.
AS THE PROJECT MOVES THROUGH PLATTING AND PERMITTING PROCESS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE DEVELOPER ACCOUNTABLE.
AND I ALSO WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE HOW -- WHAT THE TRAFFIC IMPACT IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE TOO.
WE HEARD THINGS ABOUT 800 CARS, BUT THAT'S WITH THE 1400 CAPACITY.
MOVING FORWARD WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IF THERE ARE ANY TRAFFIC OR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING, THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE ISSUES OF THE NEIGHBORS AND OUR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PART OF EXECUTING THESE DEED RESTRICTIONS.
NOW, MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE AS PERMITTED SITE PLAN SUBMITTED AND CONDITIONS ENTERED INTO THE RECORD.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN.
IT'S CLEAR THAT THIS HAS TAKEN A LOT OF DELIBERATION AND STAFF TIME AND NEGOTIATION.
I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT TODAY, I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY TO JUST DROP WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND COME AND SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT, SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING PART OF THE PROCESS.
I HAD A NOT TOO DISSIMILAR SITUATION A FEW MONTHS AGO IN MY DISTRICT, SO I JUST WANTED TO -- IF YOU WOULD INDULGE ME, GIVE YOU THE PERSPECTIVE OF ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER IN A SIMILAR SITUATION.
IN MY CASE THE ZONING CHANGE HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND IT WAS TOO LATE -- IT WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO THE HOUSING TRUST AT THIS POINT WHEN WE WERE VOTING ON THE DAIS.
AND IT WAS TOO LATE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP ANY COVENANTS WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT HAPPENED BEFORE I CAME ON COUNCIL.
AND I THINK YOU'RE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION THAN I WAS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ADVOCATING FOR YOU TO TRY TO MAKE THIS PROJECT BETTER THAN IT WOULD BE WITHOUT HER INTERVENTION AND WITHOUT YOUR INTERVENTION.
SO JUST BY ACTIVATING YOURSELVES ALREADY BETTER THAN IT WASECT IS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TO BE.
I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT, COUNCILWOMAN YOU MENTIONED REVITALIZATION OF THE SOUTH SIDE, AND PARTICULARLY IN YOUR DISTRICT.
IT'S NO SECRET THAT IF EVERY TIME I LOOK UP A STORE --
[04:20:02]
WHETHER IT'S ROSS OR MARSHALL'S OR H-E-B AND I LOOK FOR THE CLOSEST ONE TO ME, THERE'S ALWAYS A GAP IN LOCATIONS OF WHERE THOSE PLACES ARE.WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CERTAIN AMENITY AS A CONSUMER.
AND YOU SEE LOTS OF CLUSTERS ON THE NORTH SIDE FOR THEM AND NOT ON THE SOUTH SIDE.
I BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT BY BRINGING RETAIL AND SOME OF THIS DEVELOPMENT TO YOUR DISTRICT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT AND I HOPE WE'LL HAVE SOME OF THAT RETAIL IN DISTRICT 7 TOO.
I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DRAINAGE.
I'M NOT SURE WHO WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER THAT.
>> SANDOVAL: AND I ASK THIS BECAUSE IN MY CASE THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY ALSO THE CONCERN WAS DRAINAGE THAT THE PROPERTY WAS GOING TO BE BUILT IN A FLOODPLAIN.
THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT IT DAMAGING -- CREATING MORE DAMAGE TO THE NEARBY COMMUNITY.
>> JACOB POWELL, TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
>> SANDOVAL: PLEASE, GO AHEAD AND TELL US.
IS THERE CAUSE FOR CONCERN FROM THE SURROUNDING RESIDENTS WITH REGARDS TO DRAINAGE?
>> THE FIRST THING I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IS WHETHER OR NOT THE REZONING GOES THROUGH, OUR DRAINAGE AND FLOODPLAIN REQUIREMENTS ARE THE SAME.
WHETHER OR NOT IT'S 3300, 1400 UNITS.
SO ANY DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY, NOT JUST PROVE TWO THINGS.
ONE IS FOR THE ADDED ROOFTOPS, THE ADDED CONCRETE AND PAVEMENT, WILL THE SUBSEQUENT ADDED WATER CAUSE AN ISSUE DOWNSTREAM? THAT'S WHAT WE CALL ADVERSE IMPACT.
EVERY DEVELOPMENT IN SAN ANTONIO HAS TO SHOW THAT.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE TO DO.
THE OTHER ONE IS ANY TIME A PROJECT IS IN OR NEAR THE FLOODPLAIN WE HAVE TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS.
AND WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE ENGINEERS AND WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AS WELL WHAT OUR CITY REQUIREMENTS ARE.
WE DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROJECT BECAUSE THERE'S FLASH FLOOD PLAIN RECLAMATION.
JUST LIKE WE HAVE CONCERNS WITH ANY PROJECT WHERE THERE'S FLOODPLAIN RECLAMATIONS.
THERE ARE FEMA STANDARDS AND THE CITY HAS HIGHER STANDARDS THAN FEMA.
WE ARE, BY NATURE OF OUR CODE, TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO PROTECT THE FLOODPLAINS.
>> SANDOVAL: SO YOU DO NOT ANTICIPATE ADVERSE IMPACTS FROM THIS PROJECT TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY?
>> WE HAVE NOT SEEN ENOUGH TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IT'S ZONING, JUST THE ZONING.
>> SANDOVAL: YOU DON'T HAVE THE DESIGN YET.
SO THE BUILDING PERMIT WILL FOLLOW THIS AND REPLATING.
AT THAT POINT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE ENOUGH TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION.
>> SANDOVAL: JUST FOR MY EDIFICATION AND FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE, HOW -- SAY THE DESIGN COMES BACK AND THERE IS A CONCERN OR SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT THAT DOESN'T GO FORWARD?
SO AT BOTH THE PLATTING STAGE AND BUILDING PERMIT STAGE, THE ENGINEER OF RECORD THAT WORKS FOR THE APPLICANT HAS TO SUBMIT CONSTRUCTION PLANS, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, FLOOD STUDIES.
AND AT THAT POINT IS WHERE WE WILL DO DETAILED REVIEW.
AND ON A PERFECT PROJECT, WE HAVE TWO TO THREE ROUNDS OF COMMENTS.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TEN ENGINEERS ON STAFF TO HANDLE THOSE TYPE OF REVIEWS.
AND THAT'S ON A SIMPLE PROJECT.
I EXPECT WE WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL PROJECTS.
REGARDLESS IF IT WAS SALADO CREEK OR LEON CREEK OR SAN ANTONIO RIVER, WE WOULD HAVE THESE TYPES OF COMMENTS THAT WE REVIEW.
ADDITIONALLY -- I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE FLOODPLAIN.
SO FOR ANY DEVELOPMENT THAT WANTS TO RECLAIM IN FEMA FLOODPLAIN, THERE'S KIND OF A TWO-STEP REVIEW PROCESS.
SO WE, THE CITY, REVIEW THE PLANS AND THE FLOOD STUDIES.
ONCE WE'RE COMFORTABLE THAT THE ENGINEERS HAVE MET ALL PORTIONS OF THE CODE, WE SIGN OFF APPROVAL.
AT THAT POINT THE ENGINEER THEN HAS TO SUBMIT TO FEMA.
AND BEXAR COUNTY, AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE RIVER AUTHORITY ACTS ON BEHALF OF FEMA.
THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT TO SARA FOR FEMA.
AND SO THE CITY'S ROLE IS TO VERIFY THAT THE PROJECT MEETS CITY STANDARDS, WHICH ARE MORE
[04:25:02]
STRINGENT BEFORE WE APPROVE ANY DIRT BEING TURNED.IF THAT ALL GETS APPROVED, ONCE THE FILL IS PUT IN PLACE, THERE'S A SECOND SET OF REVIEWS.
WE GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.
THAT'S WHERE THE FLOODPLAIN ACTUALLY CHANGES.
IF IT PASSES ALL OF OUR CODE, THEN THE APPLICANT SUBMITS IT AGAIN TO THE RIVER AUTHORITY ON BEHALF OF FEMA AND THEY REVIEW IT.
TWO BEFORE, TWO AFTER BEFORE THE FLOODPLAIN EVER OFFICIALLY CHANGES.
>> MAY I? COUNCILWOMAN AND COUNCIL, THANK YOU.
SO JUST A REMINDER, JAKE IS OUR LEAD ENGINEER WITH THE STORM WATER TEAM AT TCI.
THEY ARE PART OF THE REVIEW PROCESS.
SO I WILL NOT, MY TEAM, DOES NOT ISSUE A BUILDING PERMIT TO START CONSTRUCTION UNTIL ALL OF THAT WORK HAS HAPPENED AND THEY VERIFY THAT THERE IS NO ADVERSE IMPACT.
SO THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.
SO WHETHER -- SAME THING WITH FIRE CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE.
BUT DRAINAGE BEING THE KEY ISSUE THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY, WE WILL CERTAINLY ENSURE THAT THAT PROCESS THAT HE HAS DESCRIBED HAPPENS.
AND WE DON'T RELEASE BUILDING PERMITS TO START CONSTRUCTION UNTIL ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE SATISFIED ON THE DESIGN LEVEL.
AND OF COURSE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION WE HAVE INSPECTORS, AS THEY DO, TO OVERSEE THAT.
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN EXTREMELY LONG YET THOROUGH PROCESS.
AND IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT'S A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, AND THAT PROJECT WON'T SUCCEED IF IT'S UNDER WATER, WILL IT? WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ANSWER, JAKE.
AND THEN I JUST HAVE ONE OTHER COMMENT, IF YOU WILL INDULGE ME, COUNCILWOMAN.
I SEE THIS NOT JUST IN D3 BUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE CITY GROWING AND A MILLION PEOPLE COMING TO SAN ANTONIO.
IT'S A GREAT THING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP TO THE FACT THAT SAN ANTONIO IS A GREAT PLACE.
IT'S NOT JUST OTHER CITIES IN TEXAS.
BUT I THINK WE'RE THE BEST CITY IN THE NATION, MAYBE THE WORLD.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING, FOR LAND REALLY GOES UP.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT LIKE WE CAN PUT A BARRIER OR A WALL AROUND THE CITY AND JUST SAY NO ONE ELSE.
AND IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO SHAPE THAT GROWTH AND NOT LET IT SHAPE US.
SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING BY INVITING YOUR NEIGHBORS TO COME AND BE PART OF THAT PROCESS IS KIND OF ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN -- WE CAN DO AT THIS POINT IS LET'S BE A PART OF THE PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN SHAPE THAT GROWTH.
SO THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, AND THANK YOU, STAFF FOR ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: COUNCILMAN BROCKHOUSE.
>> BROCKHOUSE: THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I JUST WANT TO ECHO A COUPLE OF POINTS I THINK THAT COUNCILWOMAN SANDOVAL MADE.
I WAS LISTENING TO THE DIALOGUE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE IN PIECEMEAL WHAT THE PROCESS REALLY IS.
I'M HIGHLY ENCOURAGED THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOWN ZONING, WHICH I FIND TO BE A USEFUL TOOL WHEN IT COMES TO NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTIONS.
SO IT BECOMES A BALANCING ACT OF 3300 AND GO DOWN TO 1400 AND I'M CONTROLLING PORTIONS OF THIS PROCESS AS IT GOES ALONG.
I JUST WANTED TO JUMP ON THE CONVERSATION AND SAY I THANK YOU, JAKE.
BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE ADDRESS THE FLOODING CONCERNS.
AND IT'S WRITTEN ALL OVER MR. BARTLETT'S ANALYSIS, THE PICTURES, THE LIFE, AND THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE LIVING THERE.
I THINK THOSE STORM WATER ISSUES, THAT'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE WHEN THE TIME COMES BUT AT LEAST I UNDERSTAND WE'RE NOT VOTING ON THE STORM WATER ISSUE HERE, OR YOUR WORK HAS NOT COME YET.
FROM A DOWN ZONING PERSPECTIVE IT MAKES SENSE.
I'M GOING TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD, COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR COMMUNITY.
OBVIOUSLY THIS IS GOING TO GO ON FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AS WE BEGIN TO ENGAGE AND THE PLANS ACTUALLY COME UP.
I'M HEARTENED TO SEE THAT MICHAEL STEPPED UP AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT THESE THINGS LOOK LIKE FROM A PROCESS PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL.
THEY HAVE TO KNOW JUST BECAUSE THE DOWN ZONE IS ACTUALLY VERY
[04:30:02]
POSITIVE IN MOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.I HAVE SEEN THEM IN 12 YEARS RUNNING AROUND CITY HALL.
WHEN WE DOWN ZONE WE ARE, IN FACT, PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE IN OTHER AREAS, IN OTHER DISTRICTS AS A STAFFER WHEN WE HELP CONTROL THE GROWTH AND CREATE A NEIGHBORHOOD, SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE, WE DOWN ZONE IT TO ALLOW OR DISALLOW CERTAIN TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
ZONING IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS WE HAVE.
BUT IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS WE'RE COMING AROUND AND SIMPLE ANALYZING THAT.
I TAKE THIS VOTE TODAY BASED ON THE ZONING AND THE SUPPORT FOR YOUR POSITION AND WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE HOMEWORK YOU HAVE DONE ON THAT.
I'M GOING TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD ON IT TODAY.
MR. PADRADE, I THINK YOU HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR AND JAMES AND THE VALOR CLUB, YOU HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS.
I KNOW YOU, JAMES, AND I GET IT.
MR. PADRADE, I HAVE SPENT TIME WITH YOU AS WELL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR GOALS.
BUT THERE IS A MISCOMMUNICATION.
IF THIS MOVES FORWARD AND LET'S SAY THE FLOODING WORKS AND STORM WATER, ALL THOSE PLANS WORK, YOU STILL HAVE TO LIVE AND WORK NEXT TO THESE COMMUNITIES.
SO THE RELATIONSHIP YOU SET NOW OR HAVE SET FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET BETTER UNLESS YOU GET BETTER AT THE COMMUNICATION PORTION OF IT AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS GOING TO HAVE TO MEET YOU HALFWAY.
I THINK THE COUNCILWOMAN HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
YOU CAN'T OPEN UP THE ZONING LAWS IN THE UDC AND FIND CARING ABOUT THE NEIGHBORS.
YOU HAVE TO BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.
SO I THINK BOTH SIDES HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF TIME.
AND THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD FROM FLOODING AND BUILDING PERMITS, AND THAT PROCESS IS THERE FOR A REASON.
COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, I'M GOING TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD TODAY BECAUSE OF YOUR VISION AND HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE THINGS THAT MATTER.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, MR. PADRADE, I HOPE YOU AND THE ORGANIZATION ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE BUT YOU HAVE TO PASS THE FIRST BAR, AND THAT'S WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING THOSE PROTECTIONS AND SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE.
BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A GOOD START.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR THESE ARE PIECEMEAL PROCESS THINGS.
LET'S WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IS PROTECTED AND THAT, OF COURSE, WILL FALL ON THE COUNCILWOMAN.
BUT YOUR PEERS AND COLLEAGUES WILL BE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS AS WELL.
I DO APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.
TO THE RESIDENTS THAT SHOWED UP, THANK YOU FOR OFFERING YOUR TIME.
AND YOUR FEEDBACK IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
I THINK THE CITY STAFF HAS HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR THAT LIVES AND POTENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY IS AN ISSUE HERE.
I THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-8. ZONING CASE # Z2018028 CD (Council District 3): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-4 AHOD" Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District to "R-4 CD AHOD" Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for four (4) residential dwelling units on 1.00 acre out of NCB 11155, located at 378 East Petaluma Boulevard. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval. (Continued from February 15, 2018)]
MOTION CARRIES.>> Z2018028 FROM R-4 TO R-CD WITH A CONDITIONAL USE FOR FOUR RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS LOCATED AT 378 EAST PETALUMA BOULEVARD.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
THIS WILL REQUIRE NINE VOTES TO APPROVE DUE TO OPPOSITION EXCEEDING 20% .
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.
THIS WAS TO US BACK IN FEBRUARY.
WE HAD A LOT OF RESIDENTS WHO WERE HERE WITH A LOT OF CONCERNS.
RIGHT NOW THE PROPERTY IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE AND THEY WERE TRYING TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE.
BUT MANY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WERE CONCERNED BECAUSE OF SOME ISSUES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY GOING IN AND AROUND THAT AREA.
AND WE KEPT IT -- WE PUSHED IT BACK SIX MONTHS TO TAKE IN ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY HAVE COME UP.
AND IN THAT SIX MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN SHOOTINGS, A SWAT RAID, AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS AT THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY.
SO HAVING TAKEN ALL THESE FACTS INTO ACCOUNT, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS REZONING REQUEST TODAY AND WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO DENY.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[04:35:03]
LOCATED AT 2015 EL JARDIN ROAD.STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
21 NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS IN OPPOSITION.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO GET THE DETAILS SORTED OUT FOR THIS ONE.
SO I NEED ANOTHER CONTINUANCE FOR 30 DAYS.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: MOTION TO CONTINUE.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-17. ZONING CASE # Z2018148 CD (Council District 7): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "C-3 R AHOD" General Commercial Restrictive Alcoholic Sales Airport Hazard Overlay District to "C-2 CD AHOD" Commercial Airport Hazard Overlay District with Conditional Use for Auto Paint and Body on Lot 23, Block 10, NCB 15038, located at 6210 N.W. Loop 410. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval.]
MOTION CARRIES.Z2018148 FROM C-3 LOCATED AT 6210 NORTHWEST LOOP 410.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
11 NOTICES MAILED, ONE IN FAVOR AND ZERO OPPOSED .
>> SANDOVAL: THANK YOU, MELISSA.
I AM MOVING TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO THE JUNE 21 AGENDA.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[Z-21. ZONING CASE # Z2018052 (Council District 9): Ordinance amending the Zoning District Boundary from "R-5 AHOD" Residential Single-Family Airport Hazard Overlay District to "O-1 AHOD" Office Airport Hazard Overlay District on the Northwest 152.75 feet of Lot 10, Block 37, NCB 11753, located at 10815 West Avenue. Staff and Zoning Commission recommend Approval. (Continued from April 5, 2018)]
PLEASE VOTE.>> Z2018052 FROM R-5 TO 0-1 LOCATED AT 10815 WEST AVENUE.
STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
17 NOTICES MAILED, ZERO IN FAVOR AND FOUR OPPOSED.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: COUNCILMAN COURAGE.
WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE -- BOTH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE PROPERTY OWNER.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO CONTINUE THIS TO AUGUST 16TH.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR A CONTINUANCE.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.