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Here we go.

Good morning.

The time is now 9.03 a.m.

on August 7th, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is called to order.

The city clerk will call roll.

Councilmember Corps.

Councilmember Vegran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

Here.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Galvan.

Here.

Councilmember Alderete Gavito.

Here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Present.

Councilmember Spears.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

I'd like to recognize Councilmember Galván to introduce today's invocateur.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'm extremely excited to introduce Reverend Caroline Pittman from the United Methodist or Bethel United Methodist Church in District 6 off Acting Road.

I had the honor of being able to meet her for the first time just about a week ago, I felt, I believe.

We've had a great time talking with the seniors there, talking with residents there, getting to know folks in the area who may have not met me before in the campaign jail, and also getting to know what ways we can work together to support the community, not only uh in that particular area of District 6, but also throughout the entire uh city.

Reverend Caroline Pittman has been serving as a pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church in San Antonio since 2022.

From June 2018 to June 2022, Reverend Pittman served as a pastor for Henson Chapel and Evans Chapel United Methodist Churches in Gonzalez, Texas.

She's a licensed local pastor, having completed United Methodist Church Pastor's School in 2018.

Urban Pittman has served as a clinical chaplain in the Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio and as a chaplain on the sexual assault team at Methodist Transplant Hospital.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Florida Atlantic University, her Master of Education degree from Boston University, and her Master of Divinity from Illiph School of Theology.

Caroline also began her military career as a chaplain's assistant in uh Stuart, Germany, and later went to Officer Candidate School in Fort Bennin, Georgia, where she commissioned and branched in the Medical Service Corps.

She retired from the USAR as a lieutenant colonel.

She also served in the Department of Army Civilian as a supervisory instructional systems specialist until her retirement in 2018.

Her also favorite hobbies, just like my own, are reading and board games.

Let us pray.

Help us to listen with open heart, speak with kindness, and seek what is best for all those we represent.

May our decisions reflect fairness, justice, and a commitment to the common good.

Bless our city, its leaders, and all its people.

In this spirit, we dedicate our efforts today to the service of our community and the betterment of all.

The next item on the agenda is approval of the minutes for the city council meetings from June eighteenth, twenty-fifth, twenty sixth, twenty-seventh, and July twenty-fifth.

Are there any corrections to the minutes?

Is there a motion and a second to approve the minutes?

And make a motion to approve.

It is moved and seconded to approve the minutes.

Please vote.

Yes.

Sorry.

The motion carries.

We have some special guests in the audience today from the U.S.

Coast Guard.

Okay.

Today we celebrate the birthday of the U.S.

Coast Guard.

And this is extremely important given the long history that they have played in to our and contributed to our country's national security.

We are joined here by several representatives from the Coast Guard community.

Folks, I know in military CDUSA, we don't often think about the Coast Guard, but the Coast Guard, and actually one of your rescue swimmers played an important role in the Kerr floods.

So let's never underestimate the great contributions of this very important department.

So we wish you a happy birthday, and I know we are going to recognize a couple of folks.

Mayor Jones and Commander Finn will now cut the cake.

Today's Coast Guard has performed above and beyond in the face of pandemic natural disasters supporting global contingency operations.

And it is customary that the oldest COSI present and the youngest COSTI present cut the cake together.

This act represents the enduring legacy of our Coast Guard, the wisdom of the past and the promise of the future.

Our youngest COSTE with us here today is Intel specialist third class Rivera at 20 years old.

The oldest COSTI with us today is Chief Intel Specialist Polanco at 45 years old.

The United States Coast Guard, regardless of hazard or risk and peace and war, natural or unnatural disaster lives by their model.

Happy 235th birthday, United States Coast Guard.

Well, thank you, Mayor and colleagues.

I just wanted to take a moment to recognize a remarkable achievement by the Office of the City Auditor.

Are you here today?

Yes.

Hi.

So this year, this team received a certificate of compliance from the Association of Local Government Auditors, affirming that our internal quality control system is not only well designed and effectively operating, but also fully compliant with the rigorous yellow book standards followed by audit departments across the country.

And what makes this even more impressive is that the auditor's office received zero remarks, no deficiencies, no findings, and no recommendations.

That kind of clean review is extremely rare.

And even among high performing departments.

So we're very proud of you.

As someone with a background in auditing, I am particularly excited to hear about this news.

I know auditing is not always thrilling, but I do know firsthand how important it is.

And I want to formally recognize your department for this achievement.

Your hard work is often behind the scenes, but it is worthy of celebration.

And so from what I understand, San Antonio is one of the only cities in Texas to currently receive this level of recognition, which speaks volumes about the professionalism and integrity of your team.

The work of the auditor's office does not just keep us in compliance, it helps us find the dollars that we need, ensures our city is running a tight ship, and most importantly, builds public trust in how we serve our residents.

And I want to extend a sincere thank you to the city auditor Buddy Vargas and the entire team.

This honor reflects your dedication to excellence, and we are truly grateful for your continued service to our city.

So thank you very much.

As you said, it it is a uh an accomplishment.

I want to give all the credit to my team.

We have an amazing leadership team, amazing uh a group.

Uh they weren't able to be here today because they are our auditing right now.

But we really appreciate the recognition.

Uh again, and we look forward to continue servicing the citizens of San Antonio.

Thank you.

I will now recognize Councilmember Mungia for a point of personal privilege.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, today I have the honor of recognizing an individual from San Antonio who recently passed away.

Um, his name was Leonardo Jimenez, but you probably know him as Flaco Jimenez.

Um, and we are joined today by uh some of his family.

We have uh Lisa and Arthur Jimenez here today, and Raquel and Javier Fernandez uh with his family.

Um so what can you say about a legend of San Antonio?

He forever changed Conjunto on Tahana music throughout his 70-year career, introducing his unmistakable San Antonio Santa listeners across the globe.

Many who had never heard of Conjunto if it weren't weren't for him.

He also won the National Medal of Arts Awards, the highest honor given to an artist by the United States government.

And so, you know, we were always talking to the family a little bit beforehand, and you know, if you ever met him, he was one of the nicest, kindest people you could meet.

And he had that kind of aura of just warmth, and you could tell that he was really living out his passion and dreams of playing music for people all across the world.

And I think he truly embodied San Antonio because he was from humble beginnings here in the city.

But uh as much as fame and and um success as he found, he stayed here in San Antonio and he helped other artists uh and was there for folks.

So he never lost sight of who he was despite his success.

Uh and that makes him a true San Antonian.

So thank you all for being here today.

Uh if you would like to come up and just say a couple words about your father, if you're able to council members.

Good morning.

Morning.

Thank you for having us here.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Mungia, for those words.

It's it's been difficult.

Um in essence, I know what San Antonio meant to my father.

He never wanted to go anywhere, and he always cared for for everyone here.

Um dad was just dead despite anything.

And we are truly best to call him our father.

Um he did a lot, and to us he was just dad going to work.

But seeing everything uh has been overwhelming and it's uh realization of how much he he did throughout the years, and all he ever wanted to do is contribute back to the people and to his home.

And uh I know he's watching, and we're we're very proud of him, and thank you for the city of San Antonio always supporting him.

He um he felt it.

So on behalf of myself and the family, thank you very much for the years and years and years of love and support.

And uh he will always be here.

So thank you.

Thank you.

And as you said, you know, these legends are fathers and grandfathers and and fulfill those roles.

And I think Councilman View Grand, do you want to say a word?

Yeah, I just wanted to share.

Thank you for sharing your father with us for so many years.

And what he did to elevate the arts and what he did to elevate Conjunto and uh according musicians has been just beyond legendary.

It's just so hard to explain just what that meant.

I remember the um I think then the television which he would come on, um, still serving the community.

Is the last time I remember seeing him live in person was at a Brooks event at Hangar Nine to celebrate that community, and that's who he was.

He was never too big or are never willing to say yes and to come back to the community that he knew and loved and and what he did for the South Side and all those South Side Accordian players that we have.

So I want to thank you for sharing him.

Um we're gonna celebrate his life for many years to come.

And this council is, and so I know that I believe uh Councilwoman García.

Yeah, are there others that would like to speak on this?

Yes, Councilman.

Okay, go ahead.

Um Councilman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, uh, Councilman uh Mengia for ensuring that we honor um this community legend, and just want to thank uh you and your family for lending us uh your grandfather, your father to the community, as folks have mentioned, uh always willing to serve and provide um just beautiful music to the residents of San Antonio, and whether it was the west side of San Antonio that he was performing at Rosedale Park or at Hymas Place or in the south side, uh he's Buro San Antonio, uh and I know we'll continue to remember his legacy, his music, and just his art, and just extremely grateful again for you as the family for just uh lending uh your loved one to us and to this city.

Uh and I know we'll continue to remember his legacy, his music, and just his art, and just extremely grateful again for you as the family for just uh lending uh your loved one to us and to this city.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilman Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to say thank you all for being here today and of course sharing this moment with us.

It's never easy, of course, losing anyone in your life, let alone someone who's looms large, right?

Maybe in your life a bit.

Um, but know that of course not only city council members here, uh whether it's council member Mungia or all of us here, uh, but the city, right, is here with you the entire way, whether it's morning his passing uh or celebrating his life, uh, not just for the contributions he's done uh for music and our culture here in our city, but for being your father, for being the grandfather, for being the theal, for being the man that y'all knew him as, not just the one that we got to see, uh, the one you got to see behind closed doors.

Um I know it it's it's never never easy to see that piece a little bit more.

But I also want to note, of course, uh in my side of town, uh we have a lot of uh conjunto uh history in our area off 36th Street and in the Edgewood part of the city.

Um, and so it's it'd be remiss to say that you know his uh his music, his contributions to music, uh we're not just felt, of course, across the city, but definitely in our part, uh our neck of the woods over there.

Um and so it's something that I think about a lot in terms of not just uh your father, but for everybody uh here in our city who contributes to this kind of music scene in San Antonio that often gets overlooked in national media.

Um but we have a lot of foundations here that people do neglect, and so I would like to see sometime soon that we were able to do some more commemorations of course your father and all the folks he got to meet along the way to uh who are contributing to music and conjunto and texano and folk and bluegrass and all the other pieces too throughout our city.

And so I just wanted to say those pieces and again, thank you for being here.

Is there ever anything that we can do?

Know that of course, not only us, but the city of San Antonio is here with you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Alder de Gavito.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, thank you, Councilman Mungia, for for bringing the family here today.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Um he was a legend.

Um, but I do have a story to share.

This morning, um, I was getting ready for this meeting, and my girls and I were in my restroom getting ready, and his song Marina came on.

And so me and my girls were dancing in the restroom to that.

So it's just a little way that his legend continues to live on.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Councilman Mungia, for being the family.

Thank you for taking the time to be with us.

Um, and uh may perpetual light shine upon your father.

Thank you to our one and God bless.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh now we will address the consent agenda items.

Items four through twenty-five are on the consent agenda.

This means they will be considered as a group.

Uh, there will not be a staff presentation unless pulled for individual consideration.

Are there any items uh council members would like to pull from the consent agenda to be heard individually?

Note that item 12E has been withdrawn and will not be considered today.

Okay.

Okay, hearing none.

Uh Madam Clerk, do we have members of the public signed up to speak on the consent agenda?

There are no members of the public signed up to speak.

Okay.

Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

I make a motion to approve.

It is moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

Um council members, are there any highlights or questions about the consent agenda?

Sorry, go ahead.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh briefly want to highlight uh item four uh contract uh help us finish the the parent homestead.

It's been a long time coming, so happy that um we're getting that done.

And then briefly, I want to highlight uh the reappointment uh of the following individuals to uh their respective boards and commissions representing uh District 10 on these boards and commissions.

Casey Whittington, Joel Solis, Bridget West, um Minnie Abrego Sanchez, Serena Walker, John Witsit, Sally Scott, Sherry Dugas, Alison Cohen, Mark Rogers, Roy Shoffley, Luis Ortiz, Lisa Meyer, James Hollerbeck, and uh Dennis Stuckey.

I thank them uh very much for their willingness to uh to serve District 10 and our city on their respective boards and commissions.

Thanks, Mayor.

Councilwoman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to highlight a couple of items this morning, beginning with item number eight, which is adopting a plan and budget for much-needed housing initiatives here in the city of San Antonio, which include funding rehab and reconstruction for existing homeowners, employing code case managers to help resolve code violations, which is something that the district five team during my first term helped advocate uh to develop, supporting shelters and street outreach, as well as providing rehousing and emergency housing support services.

So extremely grateful for the neighborhood and housing services department and of course Mark Carmona and all the great work that they do, but as well as our nonprofit providers.

Uh, I see Michael Taylor here, and yesterday your team gave public comment, and you all highlighted Pooh, the uh Valley Victorian at Linnyar High School.

Uh and he lives down the street from me, and it's such uh a great neighborhood.

There's always family skateboarding, playing basketball, and it's just um all because of the work of you and your team and y'all's mission and vision.

Uh lastly, I would like to highlight item number 13, which are several reappointments to uh district five boards and commission seats, uh beginning with Andy Castillo, who's a great Quintana neighborhood advocate and community member, professor, uh, and family man, and we're great to have him continue to serve on the Port San Antonio board.

Uh, so grateful for Port San Antonio and of course Sophia, who's here with the port today, um, for all that y'all do uh in serving the South Side and beyond uh here in San Antonio.

And of course, the reappointment of Kayla Miranda to the Building and Standards Board.

Uh her expertise in housing uh and housing and security is invaluable, so we appreciate her continued service with the building and standards board, as well as the reappointment of Karen Speer, uh, who has continued to be a huge advocate, not just for animal care service, but the city of San Antonio as a whole.

Every budget year, she's sure to attend every budget town hall, uh, and then reports back to me in terms of trends that she sees uh with animal needs throughout the city.

So thank you, Karen.

Um, we're also reappointing Mary uh Sandoval to the San Antonio Arts Commission.

Uh again, with the all the uh Fiesta events that go on in District 5.

I'm always sure to highlight with Pinatas and the barrio.

Uh Mary's leadership helps ensure that we bring folks all throughout the city to the West Side to celebrate uh Fiesta.

And lastly, the reappointment of Matthew Solomon to the affirmative action advisory committee.

Um he's also a great community advocate and serves uh our community with his work over at Fiesta Youth.

Uh and he just continues to ensure that uh we keep public health at the forefront at everything we do here uh at the city of San Antonio.

So thank you, Matthew.

I appreciate uh your dedication to District 5 and San Antonio as a whole.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Adri Tega Vito Thank you.

This morning I'm excited to highlight the item number nine, the reappointment of Roxana Vargas to the Ethics Review Board.

I I uh Roxana is here today with her daughter Roxy.

Uh Roxana, if you don't mind, please standing.

Roxana Vargas is an accomplished and invaluable member of our community.

She was recently inducted into the San Antonio Woman's Hall of Fame for civic leadership, honoring her years of dedication to our community in education and mentorship.

Congratulations on that major accomplishment, Roxana.

Now retired, she previously served as the chief financial officer for the Secretary of the Air Force's acquisition training office, a distinguished Air Force Civilian Service Medal Award recipient, and has had a life of civic engagement.

Roxanna has served on the as a Bear County elections judge, HOA board president, and a founding president of a woman's leadership network.

She has also been involved in numerous education, mentorship, and scholarship efforts for women and at-risk students.

Additionally, she is an active member of her church, our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotas and the Society of St.

Vincent DePaul.

Roxana has served on the city's ethics review board since 2021 and has been an important voice in ensuring honest ethical practice in our city.

Thank you, Roxanna, for your commitment to service on this board and for the many contributions you've made to the community.

Please help me give Roxana a round of applause.

Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you.

I'd like to highlight um items 15 through 17, which are nine appointments uh for boards and commissions for district four, many of whom have served the district for many years, and I'm I'm happy to see them continue.

Um I'd also like to highlight item number eight of the HUD uh annual action plan.

Uh thank you, Michael, for coming out yesterday.

And so I know we're might be a little short for the rest of the development in District 4, but you have our commitment to to work with you all to find additional funding to get that done.

So I just want to let you know.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Anyone else that would like to highlight?

Okay.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and second to approve the consent agenda.

That is items four through 25.

Please vote.

Motion carries.

The next item is the city manager's report.

Eric, do you have a report today?

Not this morning.

All right.

The time is now 9.32 a.m.

on August 7th.

Um the City Council of San Antonio, the City of San Antonio will now meet in executive session to consult with the city attorney's office pursuant to chapter 551 of the Texas government code and to deliberate or discuss the following items.

Economic development negotiations pursuant to section 551-0 excuse me.087, the purchase exchange lease or value of real property pursuant to section 551.072, and legal issues related to litigation involving the city emergency preparedness and collective bargaining, all pursuant to section 551.071.

Okay.

Yes.