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S.A.

Good morning.

Today our city council meeting opened with a song Sweater by San Antonio artists Montefour.

Um formed by siblings Victor and Maria Montufar, this band began their musical journey recording demos in the acoustics of their bedroom.

Montefor's music has gained attention from both fans and media, with their sound being compared to 80s influences while maintaining a contemporary alt-pop style with Spanish and Latin infusions.

As part of the Department of Arts and Culture's local music spotlight, uh we continue to feature local musicians at the beginning of each city council meetings and on TV SA.

You can learn more about this program at SA.gov forward slash arts, and by following um at Get Creative SA on social media.

The time is now 9 04 a.m.

on October 9th, and the meeting that San Antonio City Council is now called to order.

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Councilmember Corps.

Councilmember Mickey Rodriguez.

Present.

Councilmember Via Gran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Galvan.

Here.

Councilmember Aldareta Gavito.

Here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Present.

Councilmember Spears.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Here.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Mayor, we have quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I'd like to recognize Councilmember McKee Rodriguez to introduce today's invocator.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning.

Wonderful.

Uh today it is a distinct privilege and honor to introduce Dr.

Reverend Reverend Dr.

Ricky W.

Georgetown of St.

Paul United Methodist Church.

Dr.

Georgetown is a focused community conscious leader with 30 plus years of experience in creating change and improvements in various faith-based multicultural, educational, and governmental communities.

The youngest of ten children, Dr.

Georgetown was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and raised in Clickumen, Louisiana.

Dr.

Georgetown is an ordained elder in the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and holds degrees from Texas Southern University, McCormick Theological Seminary, and the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of his proudest moments at Texas Southern University was being named head drum major of the internationally famous Ocean of Soul Marching Band.

Dr.

Georgetown has served United Methodist churches in Illinois, Texas, and Mississippi, and is beyond honored to be the pastor of the oldest African American church in San Antonio, St.

Paul United Methodist Church, founded in 1866.

Personally, he holds active memberships in Kapacapasai National Honorary Band Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.

He is the father of one daughter, L'Oreal Simone Georgetown, who recently graduated from Columbia University in New York.

Congratulations to her.

He is a friend, mentor, counselor, and uncle to many.

He enjoys international travel and has traveled to more than seven countries with an upcoming trip planned to South Africa.

Thank you so much for being here.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here.

I'm humble for this experience.

God of our weary years.

Since 1718, you have been Emmanuel, God with us, and we just want to stop this morning to say thank you.

Because you are God with us, we pray that you will help us to see the marginalized and disenfranchised in our communities and show us ways to bring these communities from the edges to the center.

Thank you for your provision and protection of the city of San Antonio for 377 years.

Your word in 1 Peter 5 and 7 tells us that we can cast all of our cares upon you because you care for us.

So God, please help us to put people before politics.

Help us to come up with a plan to eradicate homelessness.

Help us to give every child in San Antonio an excellent education from head start to their senior year.

Help us to love and care for our seniors, and if they need medicine, please, God, don't let them have to choose medicine over food.

Help us to find ways for affordable housing, and help us, God, to become the model city for these United States, a place where decency matters, the respect of all persons matter, integrity matter, and a bold love for people who may not look or sometimes think like we do.

But most of all, God, in a world filled with darkness and chaos.

Help us to keep our sanity.

We remember this morning the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who said, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God, you divinely orchestrated the pants of the citizens of San Antonio to come from Mexico, the Philippines, Europe, the Bahamas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Chicago, Florida, Africa, India, Brazil, and many other places.

And so now we know for sure that you still are ordering the steps of your people, and that San Antonio is a path to righteousness, greater love, and prosperity.

Gracious and loving God, we ask now that you stretch out your almighty hand of protection to be upon all of these elected officials, especially our mayor.

May they find joy in their work, contentment in their decisions, humility in their understanding of all of their constituents in whom they serve, and may they find peace as they journey through life as public servants.

Spirit of the living God, fall a fresh upon us today.

God, you are Emmanuel, so we ask that you stay with us in the name of the one who has not failed us yet, and the one who left the great command for us to love our neighbors as ourselves, Jesus, who is the Christ, and all the people of San Antonio said amen.

And amen again.

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend.

Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

To the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

However, we will still celebrate this great service, and I know we have many veterans here today.

And so we will we will celebrate their birthday and eat cake regardless.

Today, City Council and I are proud to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States Navy and honor the men and women who have safeguarded our nation for two and a half centuries, two sailors, past, present, and future.

Happy birthday from Military City USA.

Texas has produced some of the Navy's most distinguished leaders, among them San Antonio's own NBA Hall of Famer and beloved Spur, the Admiral David Robinson, as well as Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, who commanded the Pacific Fleet during World War II, as well as our very own Filipino American Admiral Bono, who is the White House Surgeon General.

Here in San Antonio, we are proud to count more than 250 city employees who have worn the Navy uniform or continue to serve in the Naval Reserves.

The Navy traces its proud beginnings to October thirteenth, seventeen seventy-five, when the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two vessels to disrupt British shipping during the Revolutionary War.

Since then, sailors have defended American freedom on every ocean and led humanitarian missions around the world.

San Antonio also holds a special place in Navy history as the namesake of the USS San Antonio, an amphibious transport ship commissioned in two thousand six.

Crewed by more than seven hundred solars and marines, she has deployed to hot spots from Somalia to the Mediterranean.

As we mark this uh historic milestone, let us honor the Navy's enduring legacy of service and sacrifice.

And now in true Military City USA, let's continue the celebration with a cutting of the Navy's two hundred and fiftieth birthday cake, not in the Navy, but a proud sister of a Navy drill instructor.

So congratulations on your birthday.

We will roll out the cake, and hopefully there will be a brave sailor that will lead us in anchors away.

A sword is typically used to cut the cake as a reminder that service members are a band of warriors committed to carrying the swords so that our so that our nation may live in peace.

Since 1775, the Navy has defended our nation, safeguarded freedom of the seas, and protected American strength around the world.

From the Navy's role in blockading British ports during the war of eighteen twelve, to Commodore Dewey's victory at Manila Bay in eighteen ninety eight, and the daring D-Day landings in World War II.

Sailors have been at the center of history's turning points.

The Navy's aircraft carriers redefined global power projection.

Its submarines silently deterred nuclear threats during the Cold War, and its hospital ships have provided hope and healing after disasters across the globe.

Today, the Navy continues to innovate in cyber, space, and unmanned technologies, ensuring our nation remains secure well into the future.

As we cut this ceremonial cake, we honor all who have stood the watch, past, present, and future.

Please join me in wishing the United States Navy a very happy two hundred and fiftieth birthday.

Great.

Today we also celebrate Filipino American History Month.

I will read the proclamation, and we have several speakers here.

That's LGBTQ.

Whereas during the month of October, the city of San Antonio joins our sister city Baguio Philippines and the local Filipino community in observing Filipino American History Month to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans.

And whereas Filipino Americans are one of the oldest and fastest growing immigrant communities in the United States, first arriving in Moro Bay, California in the 16th century.

And whereas in October, we honor the 260,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans who served in World War II, including the 75,000 who endured the Bataan Death March with over 17,000 perishing.

Today, over 25,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serve in our armed forces.

And whereas we celebrate the legacy of Filipino Americans such as Medal of Honor recipient, fireman, second class Telesforo Trinidad, and civil rights leader Larry Itliong, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America along Cesar Chavez.

Now I therefore, Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of the City of San Antonio, proud Filipino American, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim October 2025 to be Filipino American History Month in San Antonio, Texas.

With that.

Well, that I will invite Myra Dumapias, leader of the uh Philippino-American National Historical Society, San Antonio, to provide a few minutes of remarks.

Hi, thank you, Mayor Gina.

My name is Myra, founding president of the San Antonio chapter of the Filipino American National Historical Society.

I'm honored to stand here with ten other Filipino organizations on this occasion before San Antonio's first queer Filipino American female mayor during a month.

We celebrate both Filipino American History Month and the LGBTQIA community.

How exciting it is that we have so many celebrations to fill up our calendars this month to openly enjoy Filipino food, culture, and our arts.

But let us pause for a moment to remember that it's not, it wasn't always like this.

There were times in history building signs stated positively no Filipinos allowed.

And there were times in history that we were missing from the history books that we were that our stories were missing from historical record, just like Larry E.

Leon and Philip Vera Cruz.

It was the work of Dr.

Fred and Auntie Dorothy Cordova and other elders and ancestors that built a way for Filipinos to even know that our stories were missing.

The works of Fans has had to happen before Filipino businesses could thrive, and projects related to the Congressional Medal of Honor, for example, could even be birthed.

This year, I just want to expand our invitation to more of my Philip Philip Filipinos to share their stories with us as we capture and continue to build history locally and city council members to support and attend our events, as well as the food and culture celebrations to honor the ancestors and the work that made it possible for us all to enjoy Filipino American History Month celebrations today.

Get to know us.

Communities aligning Baguio in San Antonio, Texas, Lead Filipino Organization of Filipinos in Texas, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Greater San Antonio, Filipino's Association, San Antonio, Philippine Women of America, River Alchemy of Creative Arts, San Antonio, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, USS Teleforo Trinidad Commissioning Committee, UTSA Filipino Student Association.

Thank you.

Jean Perangal.

Good morning, uh Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, honorable members of City Council, and fellow San Antonians.

Thank you for this proclamation and for the chance to stand for a few minutes in the long echo of Filipino American history.

Our story on these shores begins in 1587 on the California coast.

It runs through Sugar Fields of Hawaii and the salmon canneries of Alaska where the Manongs, the Elder Brothers, work with hands that did not get a day off.

It passes Dalano, where Larry Itleong and Filipino farm workers helped spark the grape strike, proving that dignity isn't negotiated.

It's organized.

It moves across Navy decks through hospital wards and into classrooms where Filipino teachers turn chalk into chances.

Always the same compass, hope for a better life in the stubborn belief that work, sacrifice, and community can get us there.

We have a word for that.

Bayanihan, neighbors lifting together.

We have another word, malasakit, compassion with sleeves rolled up.

These aren't slogans.

They're muscle memory.

They're why so many Filipino Americans serve in our armed forces today, and why nurses, caregivers, cooks, and small business owners still choose the early shift, the double shift, the overnight.

San Antonio understands this language.

In military USA, service is not a line on a resume.

It's a way of life.

In the city of faith and fiestas, family and food, we know the greater good is not an abstraction.

It's the kid who needs a tutor, the elder who needs a role, needs a ride, the neighbor whose lights are out.

When Filipinos choose San Antonio, we didn't just bring pancit and paroles.

We brought a promise.

We will show up for each other.

Madam Mayor, Council members, leadership is the art of widening that circle.

By declaring October is a Filipino American History Month, you are not only honoring the past, you are underwriting the future.

You're telling a child watching this live stream that their lawless accent is not a barrier, it's a bridge.

You're telling the parents, watching them from break watching this from break rooms and kitchen tables that San Antonio doesn't just count them, it counts on them.

So what do we do this month?

We remember, but we don't stop there.

We teach the names, the textbooks skipped.

We tell the stories of sailors and students, of union halls and base housing, of nurses who work the night shift and still made the morning mass.

We stand up for workers, and then we turn remembrance into responsibility.

We vote, we volunteer, we mentor, we stand up for workers.

We welcome the next family that lands at San Antonio International Airport with two suitcases and a map drawn with hope.

Mayor Jones, Council, thank you for seeing us, for naming this month, and for reminding this city that the American story gets stronger each time another thread is woven in.

God bless the United States, and Mabuhai on Filipinas.

Thank you, Jean, Madame Salama.

Today we are also recognizing Digital Inclusion Week.

I'm going to read the proclamation, and then I know we have several folks here to speak on that.

Whereas SA Digital Connects, alongside the City of San Antonio, Bear County schools, nonprofits, and internet providers has led implementation of the San Antonio and Greater Bear County Digital Investment Plan to expand infrastructure, affordability, digital devices, and skills training.

These efforts have improved access for thousands of households and strengthened community resilience.

And whereas digital access is a key driver of economic opportunity that enables residents to gain knowledge and increase engagement while closing the digital divide to equity, workforce readiness, and local economic development.

And whereas affordable high-speed internet, digital devices, and the skills to use them are essential for full participation in civic life, public health initiatives, workforce development, and the economy.

Digital Inclusion Week celebrates these efforts nationwide and renews our shared commitment to digital equity for all.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, mayor of the city of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim October 6th to October 10th to be national digital inclusion week in the city of San Antonio and Bear County.

We urge all residents, organizations, and institutions to observe this week by promoting digital inclusion, joining local events, and supporting efforts that expand access and opportunity for all.

I know we have several speakers to uh to speak on this, so uh please light up at the uh at the podium if you'd like to say a few words.

Oh, please go ahead.

I think you I wanted to kick us off and have the group come up.

Uh, today we recognize National Digital Inclusion Week, an annual initiative to reaffirm our city's commitment to ensuring that every San Antonian has the access and tools that they need to thrive in a digital world.

I know some of you may recognize RIA.

She was here when um Councilman McKee Rodriguez and Councilman Casillo and I got here.

She was a city of San Antonio employee, and she was helping with this initiative.

And you see the faces up here that are very familiar, and you're like, what are they doing here?

This is the community from all sorts of nonprofits that care about digital inclusion in keeping people connected because people ask, is the digital divide still a thing?

Unfortunately, and this group can tell you the answer is yes.

We have thousands across San Antonio and millions across the nation who still do not have reliable internet access at home.

In an internet connected world, it's not like having access, it's like not having access to basic utilities, water, gas, or electricity.

Our city has made incredible progress toward bringing the digital divide, thanks to the collaboration between government, private sector, and nonprofit organizations with SA Digital Connects Partnership, some of which are here today, Family Service Association, Digital Lift, Empowerhouse, Girls Inc., Oates, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and Rhea's gonna come and recognize all any of those that I've missed.

Um, because we know that being online is not a luxury.

It's a lifeline to education, employment, health care, and opportunity.

Um, as y'all know, my time when I first got on here was trying to keep seniors uh connected through Oates and making sure that they had a lifeline and could make their appointments.

And today, um, four years, five years later, we're still dealing with trying to get people connected.

So I'm gonna turn the floor over to RIA to let her talk a little more and uh recognize all the groups that are here with us today.

RIA, go ahead, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Councilwoman Via Gran, Mayor Ortice Jones, and City Council for recognizing the importance of Digital Inclusion Week.

San Antonio and Bear County have built one of the strongest public-private partnerships in the nation, solely dedicated to bridging the digital divide.

In 2021, over 200 community organizations, the City of San Antonio and Bear County contributed to the digital investment plan.

The SA Digital Connects partnership was created to successfully implement that plan through the end of 2026.

The plan is an investment in our community with a mission to generate economic opportunity by ensuring that every household has access to the internet and is safe, secure, and confident when they're online.

This collaborative public-private partnership model has inspired cities and counties across the country to create similar partnerships in their own communities.

Through coordinated, informed and intentional efforts, we are creating pathways to economic mobility and opportunity for our neighbors by expanding access to reliable high-speed internet in their homes, increasing opportunities for digital skills training and classes, and advocating for policies and programs that expand low-cost home internet options.

I'd like to recognize our partners here today.

They, of course, are the true stars of this work.

It is only because of organizations like these that our community, our neighbors, and their families can thrive.

We have Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Family Service Association.

Do you want to like raise your hand?

Okay, there you go.

Thank you.

Uh, digital lift, empowerhouse, girls Inc.

of San Antonio, Oates Senior Planet, CompuDopt, Opportunity Home, IDRA, and Restore Education.

Today, SA Digital Connects continues to be the backbone organization that implements the digital investment plan.

We are humbled to have the partnership and investment support from private sector champions such as Frost Bank, Toyota, USAA, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, and the Charles Butt Foundation.

One key leader in this space is Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Since 2021, MHM has invested over $9 million in 22 nonprofit organizations across San Antonio to bridge the digital divide.

MHM supports community-driven solutions that expand broadband access, improve digital literacy, and put devices into the hands of those who need the most.

Another significant investment in this work came after a joint RFP by the City of San Antonio and Bear County.

When our community came together to solve our infrastructure gap with two major projects to make broadband internet available to over 35,000 households that did not previously have access.

Along with the City of San Antonio and Bear County and matching funds from ATT and Spectrum, this project resulted in a 63 million dollar investment in our most disconnected neighborhoods.

It ultimately generates economic opportunity for those in our community who have been traditionally marginalized and now have better access to essential services, education and job training, and healthcare resources.

This proclamation is more than symbolic.

It's a celebration of the collective work of hundreds of partners, these amazing nonprofits, local government, schools, businesses, libraries, all united by a shared mission.

The work is more than just about getting on the internet.

It's about access to opportunity.

When we bridge the digital divide, we strengthen families, we empower learners, and we build a foundation for long-term economic growth in San Antonio.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mia.

And I invite all my council members on Friday.

I'm looking forward to attending the community connects meeting.

Uh as we continue to work to bridge the digital divide, and I invite my council members to come out and see the good work they're doing.

And I know most of y'all have stories also about what they're doing in your community.

Thank y'all so much for what you do.

And when we work together as a team in San Antonio, we meet the goal.

So I am I'm deeply grateful because this was one of the tenants I ran on four years ago, and to see us making this progress.

We're not done yet, but the progress is um is amazing.

And thank you, Mayor, for taking uh an interest in making sure that at the town halls we have the FBI there talking about protection online and as we work forward.

So, as a team, we're going to really work on moving the needle here.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, Councilwoman Alderta Gabito.

Thank you.

Uh thank you all so much for being here.

Um, I also want to thank Councilwoman Phyllis Ria Gran, because when I was the founding executive director of SA Digital Connects, you have always been a champion.

So, from my role as the the former executive director to now you you've continued to remain a champion, and I want to echo a lot of your word uh your words that the work is not done.

I also did want to thank, I think I saw Walter here earlier.

Thank the scrappy um startup team that SA Digital Connects once was.

You know, we had Luisa Caso, Brian Dillard, uh, Michelle Martinez, Diane Warren, Marcy, and and I know Walter was here too, but I see so many familiar faces, Melinda, Daryl, y'all have continued to be, and Martha, you know, y'all have continued to be champion and advocates.

Uh, this is this is a tough fight, you know.

There's so many needs in San Antonio, and so we were always just jumping and screaming that this had to still be a priority.

I mean, I remember us jumping and screaming that it that internet has to be considered a utility, and and uh we actually hosted District 7 hosted a utilities town hall with SAW CPS, but we also included fiber companies too, because it is a utility.

People need it in their everyday lives.

You know, I'm preaching to the choir, right?

We need this so that people can apply for jobs, we need this so that they can apply for college.

We need this so that they can kind of keep up with what we're doing now.

Thank you so much to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for um y'all's investment in this cause.

Uh, we I know that, and everybody knows that we can do this work without y'all, so thank you so much.

Um, it's so so exciting to see y'all and and keep up the great work.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Spears.

I too just want to echo what my colleagues are saying.

This this truly is uh much needed, essential in this world that we live in today, and so this is um it is a need.

It is something we must do for our residents.

And so I want to say thank you for all of your hard work and effort, and I'm glad that we're supporting practical steps that do help all of our families and students and seniors to be able to access the technology that they need to access for daily life and also just for quality of life.

So thank you for that.

It is an important way to fight isolation in many ways.

So I appreciate that effort too.

And so thank you for bridging that digital divide, and it's very meaningful.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

And our final um, thank you all.

And our final uh recognition today, uh, we are celebrating LGBTQ History Month, and I will recognize um read the proclamation rather, and then I know we have several speakers.

Whereas during the month of October 2025, the City of San Antonio will officially recognize LGBTQ Plus History Month to honor the invaluable contributions of our LGBTQ plus community to our city's cultural, social, and civic fabric.

And whereas we pay tribute to our LGBTQ plus family, friends, neighbors, teachers, veterans, faith leaders, and employees who are part of our city and staff for their contributions that greatly add to the richness and diversity of our community.

And whereas we honor the pivotal moments in history that ignited the LGBTQ plus rights movement in America, recognizing the courage and resilience who have championed respect, dignity, and equity for all.

And whereas this formal declaration affirms the significance of LGBTQ plus history month and celebrates the vital role of the LGBTQ plus community in shaping San Antonio's past, present, and future.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, Proud Lesbian, mayor of the city of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim the month of October to be LGBTQ Plus History Month in San Antonio, Texas, as both a tribute to history and reaffirmation of our shared values of inclusion, equality, and unity.

I want to thank my uh my councilwoman Councilwoman Castillo for requesting this proclamation.

She's recognized to speak.

Thank you, Mayor, and I'd like to welcome folks up to the podium to share a couple of words, but I'd like to begin by taking a moment to recognize Maria Salazar, our appointee to the city's LGBTQ plus advisory board, who embodies our commitment to celebrating the diversity that our com that strengthens and enriches our community.

As we mark LGBTQ Plus History Month, we honor the pivotal moments that spark the fight for equity, and we recognize the courage and resilience of those who have continued to champion the struggle for respect, dignity, and equality.

And with that, I'll hand it over to Maria.

Good morning, Council members.

Good morning, Mayor.

I'm very proud to be here.

I'm an out Chicana lesbian attorney advocate for our community.

And it brings me great joy to be here to celebrate LGBTQ plus history month.

Um I am joined here by a number of trailblazers and uh groundbreaking uh leaders.

I'd like to introduce Victoria Ajavaria Echevere, who is our co-chair of San Antonio's LGBT advisory uh council.

I serve as your chair, Michael Rendon, who is the representative from District six of uh who also sits on the council.

I am joined by uh members of Fiesta Youth Leadership leadership from Fiesta Youth.

Um and I'm hesitating because um I want to get into I want to recognize Chris Castillo who uh was a civil servant for Bear County for more than 30 years.

Uh and I just highlight that to demonstrate that we are in every part of the city.

We work for our government, we work in the private sector, we work in the business community.

And I am also joined here by Elena Guajardo, who was openly elected as uh as an open lesbian, openly gay lesbian uh many years ago and really 20 years ago, and sat in those in your chair.

Um, and leading to even more historical markers.

We are sitting in history, and we need to value that history and remember it because it's being erased.

There is an effort to erase the contributions of the LGBTQ community.

I'm looking at Jalen McKee Rodriguez, who was elected openly gay man, the first in the state of Texas.

Uh I am looking at, of course, our mayor Gino Ortiz, uh, who uh was Jones who was elected as an openly lesbian uh mayor, and that is just to say that our community, our leadership runs on being authentic and truthful.

Uh across the way, we have judges who are sitting in court.

Two of them are openly lesbian, Judge Rosie Speedling Gonzalez, Judge Melanie Leera, and we have come a long way.

Uh 30 years ago, this presentation would not be possible because there was not an acceptance for our community, but that has changed.

I want to recognize the role that you have in our history here in San Antonio.

Each one of you has a uh a representative that you have elected to serve on the LGBTQ advisory committee, which which this body approved a year ago.

That is brownbreaking, along with establishing the uh historical uh district, the pride district, which was done earlier this year, and of course, having the sidewalk, Rainbow Sidewalk installed in 2018, which is now being threatened to be bulldozed and painted over by a governor's order or directive.

So we're gonna be advocating for our visibility from here on out.

And I'm so happy that we have allies and advocates on city council, because we are going to be coming to you all to remind you that we are here, we are your we are your constituents, and we cannot erase who we are and the contributions that we make in our community.

So thank you for recognizing this, and I I just take this moment to think about the contributions that the LGBTQ community has made, not only in our city, but in each of your districts.

Get to know your representatives, get to know your community because again, I tell you, I'm in district five.

We have represent we have everyone is is we are everywhere.

And so thank you so much for recognizing LGBTQ History Month.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair Corr, we have several folks that would like to speak.

Chair Corr.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Castillo, for bringing this item.

Um it's so fitting given the news that we got yesterday from the state.

And so it's going to be a trying month for all of us.

And uh, I got to speak to the mayor about this yesterday, but we're gonna have to figure out a way to continue to show our community that every single member of our community is welcome and loved in our community, regardless of what happens at the state and national level.

And so that's gonna be some tough decisions for us, but um, I would just want to say loud and proud that we really love our LGBTQ plus IA community.

You also miss someone as an elected official.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Chair Viegeran.

Thank you.

Um, you know, this is a time to celebrate all the LGBTQ communities have contributed to this city, to this nation, the culture, the art, the innovation, the creativity.

This is what makes our country a beautiful place.

This is what makes San Antonio a beautiful place.

And I was there uh watching with the um non-discrimination order when San Antonio had to take that vote, and the other Viegran sister sat here.

And I was there when I walked into the dais with Councilman McKee Rodriguez and Councilman Castillo, and we made it an effort that we need we knew we needed to get this um board to have more power and more say because we we could tell that threats would continue to come.

Little did we know that it would be within our terms that it would come.

We were thinking future.

I was thinking future.

I was not thinking within the the eight years that we would all sit here, and here we are.

And we have tasked you to do a lot of work.

I appreciate all the work you do on the board and Brad Vellos, my appointee has been working hard, and I keep on telling him bring the younger generation in, get those subcommittees ready, because this is going to be a long haul, and um this is it this is going to be a longer battle.

But we want to celebrate today because you are role models, because you do build community, and you're not role models just for the LGBTQ community, you're role models for the city of San Antonio, and the city of San Antonio is the story you tell.

So I want to thank you for what you do for being here today.

While we know the struggle is real, Jalen saw it when he came in, and he knew it was, and he got the the two of us on board, and now we're getting the rest on board to make sure that we we move forward in a very thoughtful way as we do this.

So thank you.

Thank you for coming, thank you for sharing.

I look forward to uh seeing what what we have in store for for the state of Texas because this is not unique to San Antonio.

Texans across the state are being affected by this, and we need to take a stand.

So thank you very much for for your efforts.

Thank you.

Chair McKee Rodriguez.

Uh thank you all for being here.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Councilwoman Castillo, for calling for this proclamation.

It is an honor to serve as the first openly gay man on San Antonio City Council and is the first openly gay black man to hold uh any office in Texas.

I'd also like to acknowledge our colleague who served in my absence, Leo Castillo and Guyano, who became the first openly trans man to hold public office in Texas, and of course, former uh councilwoman Elena Cuardo, the first out council member in San Antonio.

This is a time to honor the trailblazers who fought for our right to exist freely, to love openly and to live authentically.

It's a time to reflect on the courage of those who came before us, uh, people who marched, organized, taught, uh, and cared for others in the face of discrimination and fear because of them, and you know, people like me can stand proudly in spaces like this one, serving our communities as our fullest and most authentic self.

This Saturday also happens to be October 11th, also happens to be National Coming Out Day.

And for so many, coming out isn't a single moment, but a very lifelong journey that can bring both liberation and of course great risk to those who are out, to those who can't be, and to those still finding their way, you are seen, you are loved, and your story matters.

This month reminds us that progress isn't inevitable, it is very intentional, and it happens when we make room for every voice, when we create policies that protect rather than diminish and punish, and when we ensure that every young person knows that they are perfect just as they are.

It's one thing to say you are an ally, to say you love your neighbor, to say you are a kind and accepting person, but be an ally is isn't something you get to call yourself.

It's an action, a title that you must earn every single day.

And we live in a state and world where instead of funding our public schools and ensuring every student has access to quality public education, they would like to ban books and the drag queens who read them.

They want to prevent kids from playing sports or using the bathroom.

Instead of building safer streets for all pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, uh, they want to erase crosswalks that have become celebrations and landmarks of pride.

And instead of ensuring that every place, whether it's the churches that we worship in, the movie theaters we connect with the world around us in, or the schools that we send our children to, instead of instead of ensuring that these places are free from gun violence, they want us to know that we aren't safe to be who we are, to hold our loved ones' hand, or to exist authentically in plain sight.

Members of the LGBTQI plus community, particular particularly trans youth, are committing suicide at rates that are unacceptable.

So every chance that we get, we need to acknowledge that the safety and well-being of this community is a city issue in every single way, and we need to show up every day as local leaders in ways that are hard and challenging, and it's always worth fighting to protect those who need you the most.

So as we celebrate LGBTQ History Month, uh, let's recommit to building a San Antonio that honors the courage of the past by guaranteeing safety, dignity, and equality for everyone, no exceptions.

Thank you.

Chair Mungia.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Castillo, for bringing this.

And you know, the fight and the struggle continues.

Um, and you know, your political arm, Stonewall is named after the riots that happened in 1969.

Um, and what was that?

That was you know, the government trying to close and um put out your community uh in California.

And with the news we have as of yesterday about trying to eradicate the crosswalk.

It's just another instance, another time, uh, another government or state trying to hide um the community and force it back into hiding, and that's unacceptable.

So just know that while it's a little dark at the state and the federal level, you do have allies here at City Council.

You have people here who see and and value the community uh and the work that still needs to be done at the local level.

We still have authority and abilities at the city council to make change for the community and to make um everybody's lives better.

So we value your work, Maria, we value your work, Victoria.

Uh Councilman Guardo, we value that.

And to my own appointee, Michael Quintanilla, who uh is just uh a star, right?

When it comes to that and is just very proud uh and out there uh makes a big difference for the community.

So thank you all for the work that you do.

Uh and like I said, the work continues, and you'll have allies here.

Thank you very much.

Chair Galvan.

Thank you, Mary.

And thank you, Councilman Castile for bringing this up, and thank you to everybody uh who serves on the LGBTQ advisory board and all the folks in our community uh who advocate and have been advocates and who are strong allies uh for the LBTQ community here in our city and throughout our state.

We know it can be tough when we see uh federal and state actions that impact people's lives every single day here.

Um but I think it's always important to think about right the folks that are up here, the folks in our community, whether we are uh the strongest advocates or not, whether we're folks who are learning to try to uh come out on their own or feel safe to do that, um, whether we're folks going through our own journeys, um, that the city is still your home.

The city is still a place where you can and should feel safe no matter what.

Um the city is a place uh where we will support and we will work and we will do everything we can to make sure that all of our folks here in our city feel welcomed and uh that they belong here in this place.

I think a lot about uh just what we we heard today, all the different proclamations, and that these this history uh whether it's within Hispanic Heritage Month still, whether it's Filipino American Heritage Month, whether it's LGBTQ history advisor uh history uh month, these struggles are intertwined for a reason, right?

This is the story of our city.

And we cannot not only forget that, but know that this hasn't stopped.

This hasn't uh this work continues all the single every single time.

And the folks that are here today in front of us, the folks who are here throughout our city who have done this work before are still doing that work because this issue is still important.

Um and I just I always keep that in mind, my mind when I think about what is what is the work that we're doing up here at City Council or at our state or at a federal level.

What is the work that we're trying to address here?

And it's looking at the history a little bit and saying it's not too far uh far off from where we were at, right?

We're not too far away.

Um we stand on the shoulders of the folks before us, and even thinking about digital literacy.

I think a lot about the folks uh my age, think about myself and my own story.

Um that it was through access to the folks who maybe I didn't have to go out to first, right, in person, or other folks in my friend groups who wouldn't have to say it to someone that they saw every single day, but someone they could text, someone they could send a message to, some they could connect with online in the digital community, uh, to feel that welcoming acceptance and to be ready to say, okay, well, you know what, to the folks around me every single day, I'll share that with them too.

I know that was someone in my story too, and I I always want to shout out uh Michael from District Six as well for all the work he does across um our not only our city but our nation too with the human rights campaign.

And so I'm extremely proud to have uh Michael serve on the Altra TikTok Advisory Board, and again, proud to have you all here and to be uh an ally with all this and to be a part of the community as well.

Thank you very much.

Councilwoman.

Councilwoman Altera Te Gavito.

Thank you.

Uh I want to also thank Councilwoman Terry Castillo for bringing this forward.

Um I see so many strong uh advocates in our community, Maria, Victoria, Helena, I may not be your favorite, but I thank you so much still for always standing firm on this.

Um to my own appointee and Andrea Figueroa.

You know, y'all do so much great work.

Um and I'll keep my comments short.

I think you're right, uh Maria, there's gonna be tough times ahead.

Um, but you can count on me um to be in this fight with you all um and and and stand our ground.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez.

Sorry, thank you so much.

Thank you to Councilmember Castillo for uh presenting this um and to all uh my friends that I see here.

So there's a lot of you here.

I was with Maria on Sunday at Solidarity Sunday uh church service.

Um and just a reminder, right?

Um every day we need reminders that uh there's good people doing a lot of good things in this city.

So uh count on me and those reminders are helpful to everyone, allies or not.

Uh so thank you so much for all your work.

I want to personally recognize um councilwoman uh Elena Guajardo, um so many of us up here.

You I think you recognize two or three, but you sound found that there were actually in fact four or five on the council a little early, uh earlier than the 11th, but that's okay.

Um I just want to thank you, councilwoman, because it was you know very brave for you to do that.

Um and you uh led and served with such distinction, and that allowed many of us to be up here.

Um so thank you.

I I think it's so important as my council colleague just recognized, yes, we are we have spent a lot of time this morning recognizing uh the various contributions of of so many communities, in particular though, um, you know, the LGBTQ community, when we think about unfortunately what is literally happening and that what we probably hear about and read about every single day, um, when teachers are afraid to put up a picture of their loved one in their classroom, right?

When trans service members are literally being kicked out of the service right here in Military City USA, when families are making decisions about whether they stay here or not, based on the care that their child is or is not able to get, and of course the talent that leaves um our beloved city because of that.

Um I think it's also a really important reminder and and call to action for us, Maria, um, as we look at the intersection of some of these challenges, right?

It's not only LGBTQ history month, it's also disability awareness month, right?

So how do we think about and seniors?

And so as we're thinking about our housing investments, you know, the the unique challenges of our senior LGBTQ folks that unfortunately we read too often have to go back into the closet uh based on some of the limited options that they have.

So um I think you have heard here very strongly from from many of my colleagues our commitment to ensuring that San Antonio um is a place where everybody feels um welcomed and and respected.

So thank you for having the bravery uh to continue to lead our community so well.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yeah, we don't need crosswalks for pride, right?

That's gonna that's gonna roll on.

We uh we don't need it though.

They're nice to have, but we we that pride was that pride rolls on.

Let me also, as a point of privilege, I know we've got some very special visitors from uh Quiretero, Mexico.

Um thank you for joining us.

Um it sounds like we got a little bit of a last minute um um notification that you were here, but if you'd please stand to be recognized, uh we're so grateful that you're here, one of our sister cities.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Okay.

This wasn't on the schedule, but councilman ignite to speak.

Yeah, well, I hate to ask you to stand again, but please, our our special guest from Queretaro.

Um, please please stand.

It is it is my honor to um welcome you to the city of San Antonio um this morning.

Uh to our friends and future leaders from Queretaro.

Uh we are delighted to have you here for this day of entrepreneurship, uh proudly organized by the entrepreneurial world in partnership with Alamo Colleges.

Today is about inspiration, connectivity, and discovery.

And you're gonna have a chance to experience the entrepreneurial spirit that defines San Antonio, a city that's built by dreamers and doers.

Through today's sessions, you're gonna get to meet local leaders, explore our business ecosystem, and learn how partnerships between cities like San Antonio and Queretero, which is one of San Antonio's sister cities, can create new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Our hope is that this experience today inspires you to think boldly, act with purpose, and continue building bridges that empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

So uh once again, on behalf of San Antonio City Council, welcome to San Antonio.

Uh, we have a great city of culture, creativity, and endless possibilities, and we're proud to share this journey with you and look forward to seeing how your passion and leadership is going to shape the future.

And finally, I'd like to ask uh Washington Navarro to please um to please come up.

Um his organization is is named the entrepreneurial world, and we want to thank Washington for his continued efforts uh to foster entrepreneurship uh and opportunity here in our great city.

And if you'd like to say a few words, please do.

Yes, um thank you very much.

Good morning, everybody.

I think that the questions is actually for them.

I when when Alamu Collages asked me to create a day for entrepreneurship, I want to star with this meeting.

I want to show them what is possible.

So to all of you.

This is our city.

This is how diverse they how how diverse we are.

You would today we talk about military.

I'm sorry.

Today we talk about military, today we talk about LGBT.

Today we talk about so many different challenges that we have.

And I want all of you to experience what we have over here.

Because I have living many places, and I tell you it's not the same.

So this is what San Antonio is about.

I'm excited for you to get to know us, for you to get to oh, become the ambassador for San Antonio back in Mexico, back in Quetero.

Because San Antonio is open for you and needs to welcome you.

Yes, thank you very much.

Thank you to all of you for the work that you do.

Chair View Grand.

Yes, thank you.

So uh I want to thank you all for being here.

I was in Queretaro last year at this time in September in September, last year in September, visiting and signing the Sister City uh agreement, making the pledge, and I just fell in love.

I loved the city, love the connection.

We have a whole art piece, the other side of the mirror where we talk about where Caretero plays an influence here in San Antonio.

So you're going to see that.

But as the chair of the economic workforce development committee, I want you to take this opportunity to see where we can do business and how we can grow both economies here.

You are the future of Queretero.

I have met your leaders.

They're excited about you.

We are excited that you're here.

And so please enjoy this day to ask tons of questions about who San Antonio is and how you can get connected.

So thank you so much for being here.

Washington, thank you for for all your efforts, and we look forward to just seeing you come visit because there is a direct flight from from San Antonio to Queretaro.

I plan to get on it soon for a concert, maybe.

But um I look forward to kind of uh seeing you guys and and uh making sure you have a great time while you're here in San Antonio.

Thank you.

Okay.

Is there any objection to taking the consent agenda before the individual items so that we may clear the business for the day?

Agenda okay, great.

Items four through seventeen are on the consent agenda.

This means that they will be considered as a group, and there will not be a staff presentation unless pulled for individual consideration.

Do you like to okay?

We have one item, uh one individual signed up to speak, rather.

Uh Jack Finger.

Well, Madam Mayor, another members of our illustrious San Antonio City Council.

Once once again, my name is Jack M.

Finger, and I you know, Madam Mayor, I couldn't help noticing uh so some of the ceremonial items you had today, especially a couple of celebrating the uh lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.

Well, I I look forward to the day that we can celebrate straight heterosexual history month.

Yes, well, so you need to stay on topic.

You're speaking on item 15.

That is not the proclamation.

Thank you.

All right, Madam Mayor.

Uh item uh number 15 is about uh looking at the auditors report and seeing what the items uh we our city auditor is auditing around here.

Um I was looking at the backup documents, and I'm I'm glad to see that a couple of topics out of the 30 some odd topics that are there uh that the auditors office is uh taking a good look at.

Uh Mr.

Audivision, take a look at that yellow highlighted area there, right there.

Number seven on that list.

Let's see, what does it say there?

You can focus it in there.

There you go.

Yeah, let's see.

What does it say?

Okay.

Yeah, basically it's from the uh the homeless services and strategy.

It's the Center for Health Ser Health Care Services determine the correct agreement with the Center for Health Care Service for Homeless Services and Effectively Managed in accordance with policies and procedures and contractual terms.

Well, I'm glad to see somebody's taking a look at that.

Question is will they look at the uh the homeless hotels that we have uh established and whether the the people there are are just there temporarily or if they're they've been making it a permanent home.

Mr.

Audibisho man, I uh flipped the page earlier.

There, yeah, there's another, yeah.

There we go, the left one there.

So yeah, let's see what that one says there.

No, that's not it.

Uh let's see if I can just pardon for the delay.

Gotta get that straight there.

Yeah, the city clerk's office.

Yeah, I'm glad to see that the Barrett County joint election agreement is taking place, determining whether the joint election services agreement aligns with applicable state election codes and is in compliance with contractual provisions, etc.

etc.

Yes, I am thankful.

I'm actually thankful that we're somebody is actually taking a look at that to see if there's any election fraud taking place.

And uh now the big question is this one as well as any others that happen.

When the auditor finds that some people are defrauding the city, doing bad things.

Who gets spanked in this regard?

Good question, you may want to ask.

Thank you.

Motion to approve consent.

It is moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

Council members, are there any folks that would like to highlight or questions about the consent agenda?

Councilman will go down the line.

Councilman Via Gun.

Yes, I would like to highlight item 15.

Thank you just to the whole team.

This is the FY 2026 annual audit plan.

This ordinance is approving what we put forward on September 2nd.

Our city auditor Buddy Vargas presented the proposed 2026 audit plan to the audit committee, which I chair, and this was approved, and it came with input based uh on input from the mayor, city council members, the city managers, uh, deputy assistant city managers and select department directors.

Um, I think this is a great plan.

It's very ambitious.

We look forward to getting the results.

Again, what we've seen so far is that the team uh that is getting audited and the auditor communicate very well, and then we see the course of action in the audit plan.

And I ask all of y'all to turn to tune in to our audit meetings and see what's going on there because we have a lot going on, or tune in when we have these topics brought here.

So accountability is key here for the city of San Antonio, and I'm proud to see it continue.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

This morning I'm excited to highlight item number nine, which is the appointment of Liana Morales to the San Antonio Youth Commission for a term up until 2027.

And I'm excited about this for a number of reasons, because earlier on in my tenure on council, we were in the midst of ARPA discussions and how to respond to the pandemic.

And what the Department of Human Services had released was a study focused on youth that found that San Antonio's youth were struggling with mental health and the ways in which not supporting our youth mental health can impact academics, behavior, and so much more.

So during that conversation, Justin and my team and Councilman Courage worked to earmark 100,000 for uh many grants for the San Antonio Youth Commission, where they then discuss and debated parameters to disperse those funds.

Uh and through that process, we've been eager and great to see um the leadership be fostered within the San Antonio Youth Commission.

And through one of the commission meetings, uh, under the leadership of Rebecca Flores of the Department of Human Services, um, the youth were requesting a budget town hall.

Uh and I'm grateful that uh our city manager Eric Walsh helped facilitate that first budget town hall.

And with the following town hall, I was excited to see District 5 youth leadership, uh, Trinity, as well as Rebecca, who was rich recently featured in a San Antonio report article for her leadership and work with next level, um, continue to be the future and the leaders of tomorrow.

And I think building a San Antonio, a better San Antonio means preparing for our next generation, and by providing support to the San Antonio Youth Commission and allowing them to determine how we invest public dollars, is how we start and move that uh and prepare for the next generation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilwoman Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, so I did 21 appointments or reappointments this week.

And obviously, I want to highlight a few of you that were able to come today.

Um I want to thank you for being willing to serve, and I know you have great expertise and experience, and we did prioritize district nine residents whenever possible.

So I want to thank each of you for stepping forward to serve on each of these committees.

But I want to specifically talk about uh Moses Doell, who's gonna be our zoning commissioner.

He's a friend of mine and uh an excellent real estate attorney.

He's a forming former planning commissioner from the city of Folsom, California with extensive land use and zoning experience, and he's a board member of the Churchill Estates HOA.

I think we're gonna try to take a picture after this, if that's all right.

Um, and then I have Ronald Marlin, who's with the Animal Care Services Advisory Board.

He's a retired civil engineer and veteran for the U.S.

Air Force and with 40 years of combined service.

He's a church and community volunteer, and he's dedicated to animal advocate managing the TNR Feral Cat Colonies with the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition.

And he's also a board member for his HOA and Walker Ranch.

Celeste Tidwell.

She was my former opponent in the election, but out of that, she has become a dear friend, and I'm excited to appoint her to the status of women in the DSC State Commission.

She's a lifelong public servant with experience in the Texas House of Representatives and the Northeast ISD.

She's passionate about represent representing everyone and equity.

She is reflecting the San Antonio's diverse history and city leadership.

She's the mother of four daughters, a vocal advocate for advancing opportunity for women and families.

He is gonna be our city-county joint commission of elderly affairs.

That's a mouthful.

He's been serving on that board, and he's the retired director of grant development for Edgewood ISD and former associate state director for AARP of Texas.

He has a master's in social work from the University of Michigan, decades of advocacy focused on the quality of life for older adults, and his most important role is the father of my colleague Evelise Meza Gonzalez.

He is going to be on the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees.

He's a friend and neighbor, known him quite a while.

He is a U.S.

Navy veteran, and he's the previous District 9 representative on the Veterans Advisory Commission.

He's active with the Knights of Columbus in the American Legion.

He's a board member for the Encino Ranch HOA, and he offers experience and community insight to guide our public libraries.

Mr.

Stephen Jordan is our small business economic development advocacy committee appointee.

He is the co-owner and COO of SUURV SERV, Inc., providing IT consultant for small businesses.

He's self-made, earning a GED, an associate's degree, and ultimately a BAAS in computer information systems from Texas A and M San Antonio.

He is committed to his family and community and serves as a board member of the Eastside Pregnancy Care Center.

Stephen and his wife served as foster parents and adopted two of their four children.

Eli Cohen, he is our San Antonio Higher Education Advisory Board appointee.

He is a friend of my friend Benny Ricendez, and I'm so excited he's doing this for us.

He's at the University of the Incarnate Word.

He's the Dean's Scholarship Recipient and three-time Dean's List honoree.

He's an active member of the Cappa Sigma fraternity and also the reading and writing tutor at UIW and Volunteer.

And I'm excited about the academic and student and youth perspective he will bring about higher education policies.

Mr.

Joe Isbrand is our new parks and recreation board appointee.

He's the associate vice president for communications and marketing at UTSA.

He's the Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee with a career in media and public service, former Mayor Pro Tem and City Council member in Castle Hills and Almas Park, an extensive municipal planning experience and commitment to parks development.

He's gonna be a great addition.

Mr.

Michael Toreno, he's our new Veterans Advisory Board Commissioner.

He is the commander of VFW Post 76 from 2023 to 2025 and oversees 19 VFW posts as junior vice commander, District 20 San Antonio.

He's retired post 911 USAF senior leader and medic with deep expertise in mental health, social services, and substance abuse counseling.

He earned his Master of Social Work in 2020, maintained Texas licensed master social worker status since 2021, and is a certified Texas Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

He's an active volunteer with Broken Warriors Angels, BWA, and provides support to home which provides support to homeless veterans across the San Antonio area.

So as you can see, we have excellent uh expertise from District 9, and I'm so honored that you all will be serving on all these boards and commissions.

And I'd love to snap a quick photo with you, really.

Thank you for indulging me for so long.

Thank you.

Please vote.

Oh great.

The motion carries.

Let's move on to item three.

Madam Clerk, please read the caption.

Item three is an ordinance authorizing submission of an application and acceptance upon award of a grant funds from the state of Texas Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant, D AG program, and the amount of five million dollars with a cash match of ten million dollars.

Funding for the city's cash match is included in the fiscal year 2026 capital budget.

The Office of Military and Veteran Affairs has a presentation.

Mr.

Ayala.

Well, good morning, uh Mayor City Council.

Appreciate the opportunity to brief this uh topic.

Uh next slide, please.

Or okay.

Okay, the purpose today is to request uh from you all, City Council the approval to apply for and accept the 2025 DAG grant, defense economic adjustment assistance grant, uh, in support of the Defense Health Agency.

But before I uh continue, uh this has been a process that's been going on for years.

When I arrived here in 2016, uh I heard about this uh this project and we've been working on it, and I want to thank some of the partners that we've worked with uh since that time.

I know we mentioned Admiral Bono, uh the mayor mentioned Admiral Bono.

Admiral Bono was one of the first ones when she was still on active duty to bring this to U.S.

Army North and say, can we bring uh elements or uh functions of the Defense Health Agency to uh San Antonio?

And the reason being is because it's good for our economic impact, and we do want to have additional forces here, whether they be civilians or military, uh, to come to Military City USA.

But uh some of the folks that were have been instrumental.

I know Mr.

Bob Nading is is back here somewhere.

Bob raise your hand.

Uh the San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Hispanic Change or uh Chamber of Commerce, sorry, Jeff, uh was also been uh very uh instrumental.

And we also have Mr.

John Evans here who represents the Defense Health Agency.

Some background.

Uh the building that we are trying to renovate is aboard Fort Sam.

It's called the South Beach Pavilion, and that's what I will uh refer to it uh from now on.

It was the defense health agency's preferred location.

They have looked, defense health agency looked around the U.S.

There are uh many sites where we have medical support or we have medical facilities around the U.S.

And so they were looking at California, they were looking at Colorado, they were looking at uh Virginia to place this, and what they were looking for was a place where they could get out of high cost leases to include Falls Church in Washington, D.C.

And they really they picked San Antonio officially in 2023.

The building aboard Fort Sam uh requires major uh renovation, may major modernization.

And we have two estimates that came in uh from contractors.

One was to renovate it was for 36 million, and the other one was for 40 million.

And again, it reduces the defense health agency's goal of reducing uh high lease cost.

And it creates approximately 560 new jobs, and these are numbers that we have gotten from the defense health agency.

Uh these numbers will go back and forth, but these are approximate numbers.

What I want to leave with you is that once we attract any type of function here, whether it be operational or medical, uh, it tends to attract more folks that come to San Antonio once they come here and they see uh how uh you know the the greatness of our city and how we support the military.

Some historical timeline, uh 2015 again, uh Admiral Bono uh was instrumental in this, began conversations with Joint Base San Antonio bringing it here.

In 2018, uh I was in a meeting with the city, uh county, and we committed to uh committed towards the project of renovating South Beach.

2020 21, it was uh codified in the joint base San Antonio Master Plan, and this is important.

In 2023, the Air Force officially came out with a message stating that the preferred location was here in San Antonio.

And in 2024, we needed somebody to take the lead on the project, and Bear County stepped up to the plate.

They're not here today, uh, but uh they've really done a great job here so far because we meet every Friday with them.

Uh they're part of the military transformation task force, and that's who's guiding this project as of now.

Uh there's a letter from the Department of the Air Force.

Uh we were waiting for that letter because we could really we could do a lot of things informally, but we really couldn't do anything uh really formally until that letter came out, that memorandum came out in 2023.

It did come out again, the preferred location with San Antonio.

Community investment, uh this has been a tangible investment.

It it is something that we've committed to.

It's in our budget, City of San Antonio, 10 million dollars.

Uh five million dollars for the D AG grant, which we're asking you to uh allow us to apply for, and that is from the state of Texas.

The state of Texas has the uh provides funding for military projects, and this is part of the request that we have today.

Bear County mirrors what we're gonna do.

They're also invested or have committed 10 million dollars, and they're also gonna apply for a D A grant.

They're going before Commissioner's Court uh asking the same thing uh next week, I believe.

Now uh we've committed 30 million, and the difference is between six million and and ten million.

Uh there's not an obligation from the city of San Antonio to fund the additional six or ten million.

I've spoken to DHA in uh at length, and we're gonna look for ways along with them, along with joint base San Antonio to reduce that cost, and we can also, I think count on Defense Health Agency.

I know John, I'm speaking for you, but I think this is correct, uh, that they might be able or they will be able to fund uh the additional funding over 30 million.

So what's the community impact and why is it important?

I mean, one of the things that we do in um in my department and also in the city is economic development.

My department used to be under uh economic development department years ago, and every uniform that comes to our city is a job.

And I'm just talking the uniform.

If you multiply that times three, which is a number used by the military, then it then you count uh the folks that come with them.

Uh dependents, uh folks that go to school, people buy houses, go to grocery stores, these kinds of things.

Infuses millions of dollars into a local economy.

And again, uh this is an intangible, but I think it's very important for Military City USA.

It strengthens that civil military relationship that we've had uh with uh joint base San Antonio and the military, and we have a ton of agreements uh with them, and you know uh an old uh the the previous mayor used to say, and I think I agree, is that San Antonio is considered one large installation and believe me during COVID, uh during URI and during other events, uh we really do work hand in hand with them.

And it demonstrates the joint investment with Bear County, the city state to secure funds.

And again, uh a lot of uh kudos go to the folks that are Jeff Webster that's back here, Bob Nading, who was here from the very beginning, and then uh Bear County who who is not here.

We've done this before.

Uh since 2015, uh we secured a D AG grant uh in support of military commanders for the SARS system backup water supply.

2016, again, they bought an easement around Randolph to protect that uh against encroachment in order to be able to fly safe uh aviation missions.

And then 2017, we they uh the DAG grant helped Port San Antonio Keller Airfield uh for traffic control improvements.

That was the oldest traffic control in the Department of Defense, and they finally got it got it done.

Uh and then in 2021, uh we, the City of San Antonio applied for and received that five million grant, uh, and it was for force protection, perimeter fencing, which the commander of JBSA had asked for, uh, installation of a power line to improve flight safety, and also some redundant uh utility work.

We have advocated for this since 2016 when I got here, and every year, and uh we we go to the Pentagon mayor, you went with us in uh this last time and we advocated for DHA.

We've done that uh ever since then, and also some of our other partners, city partners, state partners, and municipal or uh county partners have advocated for uh this economic impact for DHA to come here to the city of San Antonio.

So my recommendation, staff recommendation uh approved to apply for and accept the 2025 grants uh in support of the Defense Health Agency.

I'm ready to answer your questions.

Thank you.

We don't have any members of the of the public signed up to speak um on this point.

Um, can I get a motion to approve item three?

So we may begin council discussion.

Motion to approve.

Second, okay.

Let me start off.

Um thank you for for the presentation.

Um we, you know, when we went to uh DC earlier this year, um, it was really about and having been on the other side of this, right?

It's about how do we make sure folks understand we are ready to will and willing to partner uh to make sure, look, as as the now the Department of War is is making some decisions about how best to invest in and and protect the country, um we have to adjust accordingly, right?

And so we know um, having seen firsthand some of those machinations, um, when you're trying to make sure that we're well postured for what's happening in the Indo-Pacific, there are going to be um changes in missions and consolidations and et cetera, uh, because we don't have endless resource, and we want to make sure that we are doing right by the resources that the American people have entrusted us with.

Um, and so when I went there and and provided a list of hey, here's some other missions, right, that you might want to consider as we look at um ensuring that joint-based San Antonio folks know all that is available here and the very unique defense ecosystem that we have here.

Um and there's a I think it's a different approach in terms of hey, let's not let's not only focus on what we've got, but let's make sure we're really telling the story of what's possible here.

Um and my understanding of where some missions are struggling a little bit at other bases, which is why I I provided that list uh to our federal delegation to make sure that they were considering those and and advocating for those and and horse trading accordingly, right?

And so I think it's really important um as we look to ensure that you know we are the military city USA that one that we can be, but also that the country needs us to be.

Um I'm thankful for you know for this application of funds.

Um and in the hundred or so-ish days, right?

I've spent quite a bit of time with many folks that are critical in this ecosystem, right?

Whether you're talking about the port leadership, whether you're talking about, frankly, even major cyber communities, uh, cyber companies rather in our community, uh, forward edge, in fact.

Yeah, we just met with them and hosted uh again numerous Taiwanese delegations as they look to partner here, some of those which will have a contribution to our defense industrial base and how do we best support them.

So I look forward to making sure that we have got um the right folks leading, um, right leading and and helping us making sure that that table is as robust as it can be.

Um I know that's traditionally been the military um transformation task force.

And as we're looking at not only kind of how do we hold on to what we've got, but how are we most um frankly inclusive and strategic in light of you know when this thing stood up, what uh military transition task force, when that stood up several years ago, um we didn't think of the UT Health Science, the UT San Antonio merger and all these other great opportunities that we now have.

So this um one grant that we're applying for is important in the larger conversation about how we think about the strengthening the defense ecosystem, building the pipeline of talent, recruiting companies here, um, and also strengthening the very the ties that are so unique to our to our community and and and frankly it jumps out right away.

Those Taiwanese delegations that I've hosted, it comes across.

It's not this is not in Houston, this is not in Austin, it's uniquely here.

Um, and so as we look to make sure that we continue to recruit missions, how do we also strengthen that?

So I look forward to working with my um my colleagues here and and continue working with our community members to ensure that the military transition task force um is appropriately scoped and and strategic.

Okay.

We've got several members that would like to speak on this issue.

Um council member White.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um, I want to just thank everybody for their efforts in this regard.

I I know that the um uh we've advocated for the renovation of of the South Beach Pavilion, I think, since 2019, right?

So so we've been at this for for six years or so.

Um it's an important grant and it can do a lot for our city.

Um we are military city USA, but but also as you mentioned in the slides there, the economic impact that this can have for our city could be very, very significant.

Um in that regard, you mentioned um Jeff Webster, who who's uh you know been an instrumental part of this uh with his efforts there at the chamber.

So Jeff, I don't know if you have a couple of things uh you may want to uh mention here.

Thank you, Councilman.

Uh thank you, Mayor, uh city manager.

I first want to start off as I'm one of the trichairs with the MTTF, along with the representative from the city, uh Grant Moody from the county, and myself as the uh president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber.

I'm gonna start by saying thank you to the gentleman who just spoke.

General Ayala has stepped in in the interim and to really be a leader and help and speak up and organize with his staff.

So, General, thank you very much for that.

We've had a great partnership and conversation.

But I I think the mayor's comments were spot on.

There's a lot of opportunity for us, what they call in the military to plus up in our community.

But there's two sides of this equations we have to keep in context.

There's the business side of this, the economic development growing and keeping and protecting our missions here.

There's a political play, and we have to work both sides of the equations because this is there are elected officials in San Antonio, they're elected officials around this country who are protecting their bases.

But because of the trips like you made, mayor, to certify and guarantee that we are military city USA, and on my trips to the Pentagon, I always see us received differently than anybody I've ever seen up there.

I would ask that we continue to work very closely with the MTTF.

We're meeting weekly with a sub-working group.

We got uh quarterly meetings that occur.

There's a lot of things happening that can change the direction of this city, not just the next year or two, but for generations to come.

Uh and I hope you will continue to be a part of that as a city, and thank you for supporting this DAG grant.

Mayor, thank you for your leadership on this.

And Councilman, thank you for calling me up.

Yeah, thank thank you, Jeff.

And and just to reiterate your your point there, I think it's extremely important that we continue to collaborate with not only our state government, but also our our folks at the federal level uh to ensure that San Antonio is always at the top of the list when when these um sort of things are considered.

So thank you for your work, General.

Thank you for everything um uh that you've done.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh Chair Viegeran.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh this initiative has been 10 years in the making with the partnership of the city, the county, and joint base, San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston.

I want to thank General Ayala and Jeff Coyle, who's now leading the Office of Military Affairs for the service and commitment to the growth and enhancement of Military City USA.

This shows that working together and not in silos creates positive impacts for the city.

Uh everything I hear about this, the medical sector jobs, uh putting us up there, becoming the the uh Southern Walter Reed, but joint face Fort Sam Houston is key.

Um so I think we need to move forward.

We need to have things ready to go, and thank you for these efforts.

I look forward to supporting this today.

I look forward to seeing how we continue to to work in the future to ensure um San Antonio's role as Military City USA.

Thank you very much.

Councilman Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um thank you, Jeff and Major General Ayala.

And I'm gonna shout out to Commissioner Moody, even though he's not here, but I really appreciate your hard work on this.

Um I fully support this project.

I learned I knew quite a bit about it when I was working at the county, so I am tracking it.

Um, any investment that grows and modernizes or protects JBSA and its missions directly is strengthening our city, and um these funds will support the renovation of a critical JBSA facility, expanding our capacity to serve the many medical missions that we have and training operations that are essential for our defense and health sectors.

Um our active duty service members, veterans, and their families deserve our ongoing support.

And strengthening JBSA's infrastructure is one of the best ways that we can show our commitment to them.

The military and medical industries are deeply connected in San Antonio's economy, and protecting those assets means protecting local jobs, innovation, and our city's long-term growth.

I just had a couple of questions.

Uh is there any environmental or historical preservation considerations we need to take into account renovating this 1930s era building?

Yes, uh the building is a historical building, and that's been taken into account, and they've done the the environmental assessment.

So all the work has been done by the contractors that uh the that have been hired on uh to do the uh the prep work for the building.

And then do you have a timeline when we can do the timeline for that?

I don't have a timeline, uh, but we're doing very deliberately right now.

My goal right now is to make sure that we get the the extra six or ten million dollars, which I'm very confident that we will, and then by that, and then we will go with a timeline.

Now we this grant uh what we're gonna do is divide up the work.

We know what the scope of work is uh right now from the contractor.

But what I can do and I will do is I'll share it with you once we get a solid timeline uh for this uh for this building to happen for this renovation to happen.

All right, wonderful.

Well, thank you so much.

I'm really excited to see this project move forward.

Thank you.

Um you may want to speak just the timeline, as obviously like Ebbden flowed, right?

So just I think to manage expectations up here about um even it with this grant, kind of what that looks like.

A lot of that is not in our hands, right?

So that's correct.

If you want to lay that out for folks in case it informs any of their future comments, thanks.

I will, but I will tell you the DAG grant uh is uh two year two-year money.

Uh but uh yeah, I'm hoping you know, we we start a lot of things, we never cut the ribbon too.

I'm hoping we've got the ribbon of this one.

And so uh yes, we will lay it out uh in detail.

Um Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to congratulate everyone on this work.

I know 10 years is a long time, but um takes patience and a lot of collaboration, right?

So we're learning that partnerships and collaboration matters uh for projects like this.

Um so want to just highlight slide seven on community impact.

This should be on every presentation that we give in the city.

Job creation infuses millions into local economy, strengthens our civil military partnerships.

Uh that's what this is all about.

So congratulations on your work, and I look forward to a ribbon cutting.

Um Chairman.

Thank you.

I just want to say, you know, when it comes to our particular missions, it's certainly all hands on deck, and and Fort Sam's success is Lackland success, which is the City of San Antonio success.

So thank you to General Ayala for your work on this.

Uh thank you to both Jeffs for your help on this, also, uh, and the chamber's activity on this.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Have all council members that would like to speak on this spoken.

Okay.

Oh, just councilwoman.

Thank you.

And just as my colleagues have echoed, just grateful for the work of General Ayala, uh, both the Jeffs as the councilman put it.

Uh I know this has been years in the making, but it takes leadership to follow the process and ensure that we continue to go after uh all the grants that we can to help support uh whatever the the project and right it may be in the city of San Antonio, right?

Whether it's military, um health or housing, um city our city employees are always uh making sure that we're shaking every tree uh to ensure that we're infusing those federal dollars here in the city of San Antonio.

Uh so very grateful for that work and also want to congratulate our interim director uh general Ayala as well.

Um there's a lot of work cut out for you, but I know you can handle it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mary.

Okay.

Anyone else that would like to speak?

Okay, great.

Thank you again for the presentation.

Thank you for the hard work.

Um, and we know there's unfortunately with a uh a shutdown right now.

There's probably not a lot of work of work happening right now, but um please uh ensure that you keep us up to breast and anything that we can do to engage our federal delegation.

Um we will do that.

Thank you.

There is a motion and a second to approve item three.

Please vote.

The motion carries uh we will now go into executive session.

Um I'd ask my uh colleagues to remain seated until I complete reading the caveats.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Eric, I'm sorry.

Do you have a report this week?

Yes, ma'am.

Just one thing.

Um I wanted to share this week's uh employee spotlight video as an employee uh from our solid waste, I'm sorry, from our public works stormwater division.

Um Jean uh Martinez has been with the city for 22 years, has worked in three departments, but has spent the majority of her time the last 16 years in public works in our stormwater division.

Um you may recognize um her on the video.

Um she has progressed in her career with the city and is very uh important in terms of the engagement of the community and the clearing of waterways.

Let's uh let's roll the video.

My favorite part of the city is getting to be involved with our community.

Professionalism and teamwork are the biggest things that we strive on.

Stormwater operations a lot of the times is tasked to help out other departments with a lot of the work that we do.

Everything we do, we do with with class.

We take pride in our work, and I believe that I work for the best division that we have within public works.

We're here today at the Indian Creek cleanup, and we're here to provide support with trash grabbers, trash bags, and any free giveaways that we offer to our community.

We mow and maintain all of the green areas in San Antonio.

We remove debris from the channels to make sure that they stayed in maintainable condition, and we also manage the water on the riverwalk.

I do oversee the Remember the River program.

We come out to the community and we just remind pet owners to pick up after their pet because it is the number one contaminant in our waterways.

We have a program called Adopt the Spot.

We have about 30,000 locations across the city.

We adopt those out to anybody who is volunteering to put up trash in their community.

Currently to date, we are at 300 active groups.

So we're collecting about 58 to 60,000 pounds of trash from our volunteers.

Everything you do should be done with love and with gratitude because that's how big things are done.

I feel like the work that we do is such big work for San Antonio that it leaves an impact.

Mayor Council, so one of the one of the things I took away from the video when I saw it was that um I did not realize we had over 300 active groups that had adopted a spot, um, which I think is something that uh we ought to continue to expand.

Um, but they are critical to uh keeping the the drainage ways clear.

Obviously, we need to make sure that we remove the brush and mow and do those types of things, but I think that's a huge volunteer effort that goes on recognizing the community with over 300 groups that are helping us.

Thanks, Mayor.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you for um all the work that you do, as it's really all of our work to make sure that San Antonio remains beautiful.

So thank you.

Um with that, we will uh go into um executive session.

All right.

So the time is now 10 43 a.m.

on October 9th.

Uh the sound the city council of 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 551.087, 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.

Thank you.

No official action was taken in executive session.

The time is now 1127 p um a.m.

on October 9th, and this meeting is adjourned.