San Antonio City Council Meeting on September 11, 2025: Budget Hearing, Animal Abandonment Ordinance, and Proclamations
San Antonio City Council Meeting on September 11, 2025: Budget Hearing, Animal Abandonment Ordinance, and Proclamations
The San Antonio City Council met on September 11, 2025, at 9:02 AM with quorum present. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the 24th anniversary of 9/11, an invocation by Reverend Marchine Pawell Chish, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones read a proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15, 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the 31st anniversary of the San Antonio de SCS de Siempre Commission and upcoming Fiestas Patrias events.
Consent Calendar
- Items 5 through 22 were approved as a group, with the exception of Item 7 which was pulled for individual consideration.
- Councilmembers highlighted several appointments and approvals: Sandy Millman Ramirez to the San Antonio de SCS de Siempre Commission (District 7); Carla Gargiolo to the San Antonio Public Library Board, Jean Russell to the Pre-K for SA Early Childhood Board, and Melanie Menendez Gonzalez to the Mayor's Status of Women Board (all District 1); and the closure of four unimproved paper alleyways in District 3 to support affordable housing with ROC USA.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Consent Agenda (Item 22 – Affordable Housing): Jack Finger spoke against funding for affordable housing at Teasel Road, calling it "welfare housing" and expressing concern that taxpayers make up the difference. He also criticized settlement items 19 and 20, questioning whether city employees face consequences.
- Budget Hearing (Item 4):
- Alison Hahn Crozier (Rape Crisis Center) reported that their FY26 contract was cut in half, threatening advocacy positions. She requested restoration to FY25 funding levels, noting that the center served 653 survivors in the first 10 months of FY25 (up from 441 in FY24).
- Kayla Carter (nonprofit representative) stated her organization was told their contract would be extended through May 2026, then learned it would not be renewed due to ARPA fund expiration. She requested the city honor the $92,000 commitment through May 2026.
- Jack Finger criticized city spending on the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department, and argued for a 10% reduction in the property tax rate since valuations have risen.
- Thelma Gonzalez (San Antonio Farmers Market Plaza Association) and Yvette Ramirez requested a construction mitigation grant program for 48 small businesses and over 100 employees at Historic Market Square who must vacate for five months due to HVAC upgrades. They noted those businesses have contributed over $5.3 million in rent and sales tax to the city in five years.
- Molly S. urged council to reconsider budget plans for 1,800 additional homeless sweeps, stating sweeps result in deaths and do not help the unhoused community.
Discussion Items
- Item 4 – FY2026 Budget and Tax Rate: Budget Director Justina Tate presented the proposed $4 billion budget (including $1.7 billion general fund) with no property tax rate increase for the 33rd consecutive year (rate remains 54.159 cents per $100 valuation). Base values decreased 0.9% while new value growth was 1.76%. The budget includes $152 million in property tax relief and fee changes for food establishment inspections based on sales volume. Two more work sessions will precede adoption on September 18, 2025. Councilmembers spoke in favor of no tax increase and maximizing homestead exemptions.
- Item 7 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 5 (Animals) to Prohibit Abandonment: Director John Gary explained the ordinance originated from a CCR regarding peafowl (Peafowl) but was expanded to cover all animals. The proposed ordinance makes it a Class C misdemeanor to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly abandon or release any animal that has been trapped and within a person's control (minimum fine $500 for first offense). State law already prohibits unreasonable abandonment (Class A misdemeanor). Staff recommended approval.
- Public comment: Six speakers opposed the ordinance (Kirsten Nickel, Molly S., Jack Finger, Kelly Walls) arguing it is poorly written, could penalize good Samaritans and rescuers, duplicates state law, and does not address root causes (ACS, 311 directing people to release animals). They asked council to delay and hold public meetings.
- Council discussion: Councilmember Aldrete Gavito (sponsor) and legal staff clarified that "trapped" means physically caught in a trap; trap-neuter-return (TNR) of cats is protected; accidental release of wildlife is not penalized; and the ordinance targets those who trap and abandon animals, not children releasing frogs or dogs running out of yards. Several councilmembers supported the ordinance as a needed accountability tool for public safety, noting residents demand action on loose and abandoned dogs. Councilmember Galvan raised process concerns about the expansion not going through committee. Mayor Jones suggested a short delay for public input and clarifying language to match state law, but Aldrete Gavito declined, stating the issue cannot be delayed. The vote proceeded.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved (Items 5-22, minus Item 7) on a motion and second, unanimous.
- Item 4 – Budget Public Hearing closed at 9:54 AM. No action taken; final budget adoption set for September 18, 2025 at 9 AM.
- Item 7 – Animal Abandonment Ordinance approved on a motion and second. The motion carried (voting not specified, but no objections noted). The ordinance will take effect after publication. Council requested public education and a communications plan from ACS and 311.
- City Manager's Report: Announced that City Attorney Andy Segovia will receive the San Antonio Bar Foundation Outstanding Lawyer for Community Service Award on September 20, 2025.
- Point of Personal Privilege: Councilwoman Spears honored the late Charlie Kirk, calling for an end to political violence.
The meeting adjourned at 10:54 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Then we can sintonizar la transmission de las juntas del Concilio completamente in Spaniel usando el sistema SAP através de los canales Kevin Pantalla. She prefiered la transmission des un dispositivo mobile, or para discargar la agenda de la Junta de Hoy, visite la pagina web de la Ciudad de San Antonio, SA.KOV Diagonal TV SA. Good morning. The time is now 9.02 on September 11th, 2025, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is now called to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilmember Corr. Councilmember Castillo Angiaono. Present. Councilmember Via Gran. Here. Councilmember Mungia. Present. Councilmember Castillo. Here. Councilmember Gauban. Here. Councilmember Alarete Cabito. Here. Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez. Councilmember Spears. Here. Councilmember White. Mayor Jones. Here. Mayor, we have Quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. As we know, September 11th is a very solemn day in our country for many of us. I know we still remember where we were that faithful day when we were horrifically and cowardly attacked cowardly attacked. I myself was uh a junior at Boston University, uh Air Force ROTC cadet, um, and many of the people on my floor when I was a resident assistant were from New York. Uh, so very much uh felt, unfortunately, the immediate impact of the loss of life, and and frankly, what that also meant for my generation of fellow service members who knew uh that our fate uh would be much much different. Many of us, I was studying Japanese and East Asian studies at the time, and that was would not be as helpful as I once thought it would be. Um, I want to honor the memory of the 3,000 folks that were lost. I want to um honor the service and sacrifice of the the first responders that day. Um, and I want to also make sure, certainly here in Military City USA, um, those that have deployed in response to those, we know um that that was the first and the only time uh that the most important security alliance that has ever existed, uh, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was ever has ever invoked Article 5, which is an at an attack on one is an attack on all. And I know here in Military City USA we uniquely appreciate uh the importance of our partners and allies, uh and this day is just a reminder of why it's important that we we hold those dear given what may what may happen. So please um join me in a moment of silence as remember uh the victims of 9-11. I'd like to recognize Councilmember White to introduce introduce today's invocator. Thanks, Mayor. It's my privilege today to uh introduce Reverend Marchine Pawell Chish, who was born on July 31st, 1983 in Poland. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30th, 2009. Uh, following his ordination, uh Father Martin served in in uh Playa del Carmen, Mexico from 2009 to 2016. He then continued his ministry in Edinburgh, Scotland, uh, as well as in Poland from 2016 uh to 2018. On November 1st, 2021, Father Martin was assigned to St. Helena Catholic Church here in San Antonio, where he currently serves as a pastor. A significant milestone in his vocation came on October 17th, 2022, when Reverend Archbishop Gustavo Garcia Siller uh formally uh incarnated him into the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Uh beyond his uh priestly ministry, Father Martin enjoys movies, music, and traveling. He has a strong appreciation for new technology, particularly Apple products. Passionate about meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. He is fluent in Polish, Spanish, and English. Father, thank you so much for joining us today.
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