San Antonio City Council Meeting - September 11, 2025
San Antonio City Council Meeting - September 11, 2025
The San Antonio City Council convened at 9:02 AM on September 11, 2025, under Mayor Ron Jones. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, followed by an invocation from Reverend Marchine Cavall Jish and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved minutes from August 26 and 27, recognized Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) with a proclamation read by Mayor Jones, and adopted the consent agenda (items 5–22) with the exception of item 7, which was pulled for individual consideration. A combined public hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget and ad valorem tax rate was held, with several residents and representatives speaking on funding cuts and service needs. The council then debated and voted on an ordinance to prohibit animal abandonment, ultimately passing it. The meeting adjourned at 10:54 AM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of August 26 and 27, 2025, were approved unanimously.
- Consent agenda items 5 through 22 were approved as a group, with the exception of item 7 (pulled by Councilmember Alderete Gavito).
- Councilmember Villagrán highlighted item 6, which authorizes alleyway improvements (invasion permits) to facilitate affordable housing development in the Northeast, partnering with Rocky SA and Mission Trails Association.
- Councilmember Corr recognized three appointees: Carla to the library board, Jim Russell to Child Board SA, and Melanie Menéndez González to a commission.
- Councilmember Alderete Gavito recognized Sandy Romero Ramírez as a new appointee to the September 16 Commission.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jack Finger (on consent items): Objected to item 22 (affordable housing), calling it "welfare" for recipients and costing taxpayers $8–9 million. Questioned items 19 and 20 regarding liability of city employees, arguing the language creates unfair records.
- Alison Kangroschen and Adria Oscar (RCC Crisis Center): Spoke during the budget public hearing. Described RCC's 50-year history serving sexual assault survivors. Reported that a federal funding cut had halved their city contract for FY2026. Requested restoration to FY2025 levels to maintain statutory advocacy services.
- Keyla Carter (Forehair): Stated her organization had been led to expect a contract extension through May 2026, but learned funding would end September 30, 2025. Requested the city honor the extension to avoid a 2092% budget deficit for domestic violence survivor services.
- Eva Ramírez (Farmers Market Association): Representing 48 small businesses at Market Square that were displaced for six months due to HVAC installation. Requested immediate mitigation relief (rent/expense forgiveness) through August 2026, noting $3.3 million in sales taxes contributed from the building alone.
- Molly Ash: Urged the council to reconsider removing homeless encampments from the budget, arguing it leads to deaths and that the city is not addressing the housing crisis.
- Thelma González (Farmers Market treasurer): Yielded her time to Eva Ramírez.
- Jack Finger (budget comment): Advocated for cutting $13 million from the diversity, equity, and inclusion department and from sex work education programs. Called for a 10% property tax rate reduction.
Discussion Items
- Item 7 – Ordinance to Prohibit Animal Abandonment (Chapter 5 Amendment):
- Councilmember Alderete Gavito (sponsor) explained the ordinance originated from a City Council Resolution (CCR) in March 2024 focused on peafowl (pavos reales) but expanded to cover all animals. It creates a Class C misdemeanor for trapping and releasing animals (excluding community cats under Chapter 5.04 and state law exceptions). Penalties: $500–$2,000 fines, escalating with repeat offenses.
- Public speakers:
- Christian Neko: Expressed concern that the language is poorly written and may penalize well-intentioned rescuers (e.g., releasing a trapped animal after care). Asked the council to slow down.
- Jack Finger: Stated the CCR was 90% about peafowl and the expansion is premature. Questioned how it applies to animals that escape on their own (e.g., dogs, cats). Advised postponement for proper public input.
- Kelly Walsh (rescuer of 20 years): Argued the ordinance is hard to enforce (requires witness to trapping), does not address the true abandonment crisis (e.g., owners dumping pets), and could penalize samaritans. Noted that 3-1-1 sometimes tells people to release animals back.
- Council discussion:
- Director John Gary (Animal Care Services) confirmed the ordinance has minimal impact because enforcement is difficult (only about half a dozen successful cases per year). He clarified it complements state law (which covers intentional/unreasonable abandonment) and does not apply to accidental escapes, community cats, or wildlife released legally.
- Councilmember Alderete Gavito requested legal clarification (City Attorney Andy explained trapping means intentional capture with a trap, not incidental). She emphasized education and communication with residents.
- Councilmember Villagrán expressed support, noting the need to prevent animals from being dumped (e.g., boxes of puppies in the river). She stressed education and responsible ownership, referencing a campaign started under Mayor Castro.
- Councilmember White thanked the sponsor and noted the process included public committee meetings. Called abandonment "cruel."
- Councilmember Castillo supported, citing public safety concerns from stray dogs. She asked for assurance that the ordinance targets intentional abandonment, not accidental escapes.
- Councilmember Corr echoed support, stating the ordinance addresses both proactive education and reactive consequences.
- Councilmember Galván noted the issue is urgent in his district. He emphasized the need for continued funding for spay/neuter, shelter space, and education.
- Councilmember Alderete Gavito proposed postponing to October 2 to allow legal harmonization with state law and development of a detailed communication plan. This suggestion was not seconded. A motion to approve the ordinance as written passed.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (items 5–22) except item 7.
- Item 7 (animal abandonment ordinance) passed by voice vote (motion carried). The council directed the legal department to ensure language compatibility with state law and Animal Care Services to develop and disseminate public education materials.
- Budget public hearing closed; no action taken. The council will continue budget discussions on September 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
- Proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15, 2025) was read and accepted.
- Recognition: City Attorney Andy was honored for receiving the 2025 Foundation Award from the San Antonio Bar Foundation, to be presented September 20.
- Moment of silence held for the 9/11 anniversary.
- Adjournment at 10:54 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Buenos días, buenos días. La hora is 9-2, September 11 del 2025. Señora Secretary, por favor, llame lista. Concejal Corr, Concejal Castillo Anguiano, presente. Concejal Villagrán, aquí. Concejal Muguía, presente. Concejal Castillo, presente. Concejal Galván, presente. Concejal Alderete Gavito, aquí. Concejal Mesa González, Concejal Spears, Concejal White, Alcaldesa Jones, tenemos quorum. Gracias, señor Secretary. Como sabemos, September 11 is a year muy solemne in nuestro país for muchas ofertas. Yo me acuerdo cuando estuvimos in this día cuando fui atacados terroríficamente. Yo misma era un junior in the university in the cadet of the Fuerza Aérea. Muchas of the person who established conmigo era de Nueva York. Muchos sintió desafortunadamente el impacto immediato de la pérdida de vida. Y francamente, lo que estoy certificado para mi generation of members del servicio, que sabían que la fe iba a ser muy diferente. Obviamente yo estaba studiendo Japonés in this time. Y no fue tan útil cuando yo cuando yo estudié eso. Quiero memori hacerme honrarles el servicio y los sacrificios of the socorristas este día, y quiero también asegurarme de las que estamos en esta ciudad militar. Los que respondieron a eso fue la primera y la única vez que la seguridad más importante que nunca había existido en la organización alguna y nunca ha sido atacada. El ataque contra uno es el ataque contra todos. Yo digo que apreciamos la importancia de nuestros aliados solamente como recordatorio de qué tan importante es y cómo mantenemos en honrando a estas personas por lo que pasó. Por favor, únanse conmigo en un momento de silencio. Gracias. Quiero reconocer a la concejal White para presentar el invocador del día de hoy. Gracias, alcaldesa. Es mi privilegio el día de hoy. Y presentar al reverendo Marchine Cavall Jish, que nació en julio 31 del 1993 en Polonia. Fue ordenado en mayo 30 del 2009, siguiendo su ordenation. El padre se sirvió in México del 2009 al 2016. Continuó su ministerio en Edinburgh, Scotland, también in Polonia del 2016 al 2018. En novembre 1 del 2021, el padre Martín lo asignaron a servir en la iglesia católica aquí en San Antonio como ahora actualmente sirve como pastor. En octubre 17 del 2022, cuando el arzobispo Gustavo García Siler lo en lo puso en la arquidiócesis de San Antonio. El padre Martín disfruta cines y ver películas del cine y viajes. Le gustan los productos APO y le gusta conocer personas nuevas y culturas diferentes. Habla también en inglés y en español. Gracias, concejal. En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, del Espíritu Santo. Padre Celestial. En este día septiembre 11 ponemos en reverencia para recordar el cómo se cambió nuestra nación hace 24 años. Estamos en ponemos en oración a las almas de las familias que murieron, a sus familias y todos los que todavía llevan esas heridas de ese día. Enseñanos, Señor, que se requieren esfuerzos constantes para trabajar con la justicia, la inmisericordia y el amor. Te pedimos tu bendición sobre la alcaldesa y los miembros del Consejo de la Ciudad y todos los que sirven a la gente en San Antonio. Fortalece con sabiduría, con valor al dar su servicio, que su trabajo siempre esté lleno de seguridad, prosperidad y bienestar de la ciudad. Inspiralos a recordar que cada ordenanza, cada decisión y cada política, no se trata de ideas abstractas, sino de gente real. Que su trabajo sea, que cada persona, cada ser humano sin excepción, se sienta bienvenido, respetado y verdaderamente en casa en San Antonio. Bendice, Señor, a nuestras colonias, nuestras escuelas, nuestros lugares de trabajo y nuestras familias. Ayúdanos a ser una comunidad que tenga compasión, hospitalidad, en donde paz no es solamente deseada, sino practicada en la vida diaria. Y recuerdanos que el construir paz localmente, contribuimos a la paz en el mundo en total.
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