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Good morning.

The time is now 9 02 AM on October 16th, 2025, and a meeting of the San Antonio City Council is now called to order.

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Councilmember Cor.

Councilmember Mickey Rodriguez.

Present.

Councilmember Via Gran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Galvano.

Here.

Councilmember Adarete Gabito.

Here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Present.

Councilmember Spears.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Mayor, we have quorum.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I'd like to recognize uh Chair Via Grand to introduce today's invocator.

Thank you, Mayor.

So today I welcome Father Dennis Schaefer, OFM, pastor of Mission San Jose.

Father Dennis is the Order of Friars Minor, a branch of the Franciscan Order within the Catholic Church.

It signifies that the priest is a member of the original Franciscan order and founded by St.

Francis of Assisi.

Father Dennis is a native of Parma, Ohio, and a devoted Franciscan for more than five decades, celebrating 54 years of Franciscan life and 45 years of priesthood.

Father Dennis has designed dedicated his vocation to faith, education, and service.

He earned his doctorate in choral music and served for 20 years as a professor at Quincy University, where he also conducted an opera company, a youth orchestra, and a children's chorus.

His dip deep commitment to formation led him to spend 12 years guiding young men discerning their call to religious life within the Franciscan community.

Before coming to San Antonio, Father Dennis served as pastor in Indianapolis for a decade.

In August 2023, he joined the Archdiocese of San Antonio and is honored to serve as pastor of the historic Mission San Jose, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its beauty and spiritual heritage.

In his leisure leisure time, Father Janet enjoys playing the clarinet and performs with the heart of Texas concert band, continuing his lifelong love of music.

And he enjoys coming to my coffees with the councilwoman and asking very difficult questions sometimes.

And town hall.

So I appreciate you being there.

Father Dennis, the floor is yours.

Thank you.

Good morning, buenos.

Today we pray not only for the work of the city council, but today is Boss's Day.

So we celebrate all those who lead us in work.

Let us put ourselves recognize the presence of God within us and among us.

God of all creation, we gather together today, aware that you are the source of all, and all finds its completion in you.

You call us into being by your everlasting love, and invite us to share in your work of creation and life.

In you we live.

In you we move, and in you we have our being.

Today and throughout their tenure, we ask your blessing on the leadership of the city of San Antonio.

Elected by our citizens, they seek to improve the life of all by their work, by their decisions.

We pray that you give them wisdom and knowledge to make well-founded decisions.

Help them to seek out and hear the voices of all our brothers and sisters.

Let them be attentive most of all to those who have no voice.

The poor, the outcasts, those seemingly unwelcome and unloved.

Recognizing that we are all your sons and daughters and therefore sisters and brothers to each other.

May they lift up those without worldly power.

May they recognize that decisions made in this council room are not just for the days of their tenure, but that they will form our city well into the future.

You are all good, all powerful, old wines, and the all loving.

Bless our civil servants who are made in your image and likeness.

May they serve you and your people in all humility and trusting in your guidance.

You are God, and we give you thanks.

We bring you this prayer and ask that you hear and answer it for our good.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Father.

Please remain standing for the uh Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the public of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation and divisible with liberty and justice for all.

Okay.

Hearing none, is there a motion for approval of the minutes?

I make a motion to approve.

There's a motion to approve and a second.

Please vote.

The motion passes.

Today we are celebrating National Archives Month.

Um we are very thankful for the hard work of Madame Clerk and her entire team, uh, which does one of the most important things, which is ensure that the history of our city is accurately captured.

So I'm proud to read this proclamation on behalf of the entire city council.

Whereas the Office of the City Clerk will observe National Archives Month throughout October 2025 in celebration of the rich historical roots of San Antonio, and whereas it is fitting that the city of San Antonio, whose origins date back to 1731, recognizes the important role our city's archivists play in heritage, democracy, accountability, and transparency for good governance and public consumption.

And whereas much of the city's rich and diverse heritage is contained within the city's archives, dedicated archivists and records managers work to safeguard these invaluable collections in the public trust.

The records and artifacts document the actions of local government and ensure our written history is preserved for generations to come.

And whereas, in celebration of National Archives Month, the City Clerk invites San Antonians to visit the newly established municipal archives museum located within the municipal archives and records center.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the curated collection of unique materials, historical records, and civic treasures, highlighting the city's past, present, and future, and illuminating its future.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, mayor of the city of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do you hereby proclaim the month of October 2025 to be National Archives Month in San Antonio, Texas, and encourage all residents to recognize the contributions of archivists and to discover the rich treasures contained in the Municipal Archives Museum.

And the museum is free, right, Debbie?

Well, there you go, y'all, free.

Um, thank you, Debbie, and team.

Thank you, Mayor.

I wanted to bring the archives, records, legislative, and our communications team today.

We have our vital records who were and our passports team who are serving the public today and not able to be here.

So that's a greater number of our staff.

But thank you so much, Mayor, for your support, and thank you, council, for supporting this effort to preserve and digitize the history of our of San Antonio and our municipality.

We have many investments that were made to make this museum happen, the 2022 bond, and some additional funds to make the project happen.

I'm excited to open the new museum on November the 1st and ribbon do the ribbon cutting with you, Mayor, uh, and some other council members who will also be here, but that we've had some champions along the way, and I appreciate all of your support for that.

I also appreciate the support for the digitization of the records.

We were on their second year now of the five-year plan to digitize and preserve all of our history with that capital budget, so I appreciate that.

And I also want to thank the work of the team that's were working tirelessly to put together this museum that you will see in November.

Uh starting with, of course, our deputy city clerk Aurora Perkins, who kind of made sure that the project stayed on track.

We did have public works helping us with that, but it takes it takes a village to do a capital project.

And I also want to thank our municipal records manager Mary Marquez, as well as our archivist, Marcus Flores, and our assistant archivist, Jacqueline Salvador.

But the other team, we all work to preserve history every single day and make sure that that's preserved for our future of our community.

So thank you so much, and thank you, team, for everything that you all do.

I will now recognize uh councilwoman Spears for a point of personal privilege.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I wanted to take a moment this morning to recognize the 100 Club of San Antonio and their unwavering support for our law enforcement firefighters and first responders.

I did invite them to come this morning, but they are with the um officers that were uh harmed this week.

Uh so they couldn't be here today.

But for more than 50 years, the 100 club has stood behind those who protect and serve, especially the families of officers and firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

Their mission is one of compassion and community, ensuring that no family faces hardship alone when tragedy strikes.

The 100 club provides financial assistance, emotional support, and scholarship opportunity opportunities for the children of fallen heroes.

Their work is funded entirely through community donations and partnerships, and their impact reaches across every part of our city and region.

Last week and over the weekend, they hosted their annual meatball rolling and spaghetti dinner, which brings the community together in such a fun and meaningful way.

And my daughter and I did get to go, and we had a great time participating and making sure we rolled the meatballs correctly.

And uh there were a lot of familiar faces supporting this very important and and meaningful cause.

I want to personally thank the leadership, specifically Bart Vasquez, the members and donors of the 100 club for their ongoing commitment to the men and women who keep San Antonio safe.

And on behalf of District 9, I extend our gratitude and appreciation for their service, compassion, and dedication to our first responder families.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilwoman Spears.

I'll now recognize Councilmember Mesil Gonzalez for a point of personal privilege.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, today, hi everybody.

Want to recognize San Antonio freshmen from 23 area high schools who place first at the National Hispanic Institute, NHI flagship, if you guys can stand up.

Stay standing while I'm talking about this.

So 23 area high schools, uh high schools who place first place at the National Hispanic Institute flagship statewide great debate competition at St.

Mary's University, and second place at Austin College from all 10 city council districts.

18 of them happen to be in District 8.

Um, 75 San Antonio students trained for over six months under the guidance of NHI alumni, Analco, Anita, and Olivia, uh college mentors, volunteer coaches, community professionals.

They competed against peers from Austin, Brownsville, Corpus, Dallas, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Rio Gran Valley, emerging as some of the most decorated students and teams statewide.

What the Great Debate and National Hispanic Institute experience encourages all high school students to critically analyze current issues within the local, national, and global Latino community.

The Great Debate Freshman Tournament style format allows students to debate and compete in four main categories of mock trial, cross-examination, oratory, and exemporaneous speaking.

I want to personally congratulate these students for their outstanding accomplishments.

The experience you've gained through the dedication to your craft truly sets you all apart.

I look forward to hearing about your future milestones in San Antonio and throughout the country.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

And congratulations from the entire council.

We're extremely proud of you.

Thank you for representing our city and our cell and yourselves and your schools so well.

Items four through 29 are on the consent agenda.

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

Note that item 30 has been withdrawn.

It will not be considered today.

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

Yeah, we'll pull uh like to pull item number five, please.

One second, are there other item number five?

Excuse me.

Highlighting 21 highlight.

Okay.

Okay.

Item number five has been pulled um uh for individual consideration.

We have one individual that has signed up to speak um on the consent agenda.

Uh Mr.

Robert Silbus.

Please, sir, you've got three minutes.

Morning, everybody.

I'm Robert Silvest.

I'm from San Antonio.

I'm in District One.

I've lived here all my life.

I've worked at the bases uh across town.

I became involved and uh need to notify you guys.

I sent you a certified package a month ago.

Bought our water source.

This has to do with the infrastructure of the city's waters being compromised.

So a month ago you got this packet.

I don't know if everyone's seen it, but I'd rather do it in person to let you know who I am.

And this is for y'all to see.

And sooner or later, everyone will see it.

And really, thank you.

That's it.

Okay.

That's it.

Okay.

That was our only uh individual who signed up to speak.

Um is there a motion to approve the consent agenda except for item five, which has been pulled.

I make a motion to approve.

Second.

It is moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda minus item five.

Council members, um, I know we have one highlight.

Are there others that would like to highlight something on the agenda?

Okay.

Let me go around here.

You'd like to number two.

Councilman McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, and good morning, everybody.

Today represents a major win for comma compassion and community progress on San Antonio's East Side.

Uh, with these actions today, we're ensuring that our investments reflect our city's values of equity, dignity, and care for all living beings.

Uh, first with item 27, we are renewing and increasing support for the Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Commission, guaranteeing that our city continues to honor Dr.

King's legacy, not only with the largest march in the nation, therefore the world, but through sustained year-round programming that uplifts justice and unity through including our scholarship program and youth summit.

Second, item twenty eight approves three hundred thousand dollars in funding for a feasibility study and needs assessment for a secondary animal care services campus on the east side, uh, moving us toward a more balanced, accessible, and humane system citywide.

To this day, if you visit a district two neighborhood and ask if anyone has ever been to the ACS campus in District 6, you'll find that it is inaccessible to most.

Our residents have long called for equitable resources to address animal welfare challenges, and this investment begins to make that vision a reality.

So thank you to council members via Gran and White for co-sponsoring the CCR with me.

Finally, item 29 will approve funding for a pet deposit assistance pilot program that will help residents adopting for animal care services, overcome housing barriers that often prevent them from welcoming a pet into their family or force them to surrender the pet.

At a at a PCD co PCDC committee in December, uh NHSD staff stated that when they polled renters seeking relocation assistance.

77% said they would adopt a pet if they had help with it.

And 48% said that pet deposits were a barrier to their access to housing.

By supporting responsible pet adoption and easing the burden of housing-related pet deposits, we're not only saving lives, we're building stronger, more compassionate communities.

I'd like to express gratitude to the San Antonio Apartment Association and City staff for their help in crafting this program and city staff for all of their help as well in due diligence.

These two animal care services programs are a part of a number of animal welfare initiatives my team and I have championed, including the ACS veterinary hospital we proposed for the 2022 bond, the additional spay neuter hubs on the east and west side we proposed uh with help from my west side colleagues, and the increased ACS staff to address the severe need throughout our city.

It is going to take a myriad of solutions to to both address our stray and roaming animal crisis and to achieve no-kill status as a shelter.

And I'm committed to turning every rock to get there.

These initiatives reflect what can happen when we listen to residents, work collaboratively corap collaboratively across city departments and lead with both head and heart.

I'm proud of the collective effort that these win that made these wins possible and grateful for every partner committed to creating a kinder, more inclusive San Antonio.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Mugia.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to highlight item number 19, which are a couple of appointments I have.

The first is Mr.

Blake Badales, uh, who we are appointing to the Ethics Review Board, and many of us were impressed with Mr.

Perales when he applied for the SAS uh board seat.

And so we are still putting him to work, and he'll do great there.

We're reappointing Mr.

Zachary Dean to the Board of Adjustment, uh, one of the toughest boards to fill in the city, uh, and he's been doing a great job.

So we're just happy to have him back.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor, and good morning, everyone.

There's a couple of items that I would like to highlight this morning, beginning with item 20, which is the reappointment of several district five residents.

I want to thank each of the folks for being reappointed today, Anthony, Andre, Maria, and John, for their continued service to District 5 and the City of San Antonio.

I have deep respect for the perspectives you bring to our boards or commission and our city.

Our city is a better place because of your work, and we're extremely grateful for their service.

I'd also like to highlight item 26, which is TERS funding to Prosper West for the administration of the small business campanito program.

I want to thank Prosper West leadership, Ryan Call, Alex Lopez, and EDD and Prosper West staff for working towards a multi-year agreement that allows Prosper West's great work with small businesses like the Componeta program to continue and restore uh uh and confident restore confidence uh in the West Side.

So just thank y'all for doing a great job in representing District 5 and the West Side of San Antonio.

Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'm highlighting item 21.

This is an appointment to the Brooks Development Authority.

Uh Ida Gonzalez, if you can just please stand.

Ida Gonzalez is a lifelong resident of San Antonio and CEO of AG3 Group, graduating from Taft High School, then obtaining her bachelor's from Texas ANM.

She comes to us with volunteer experience from Workforce Commission and the Via Transit Board.

As some of you might have seen her helping to clean up our creekways during the annual Basuda Bash event.

With Ida's passion and dedication, I know she she will be an asset to this team.

Thank you so much for your service, Ida.

Councilwoman Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I just wanted to highlight item 12, which is the ordinance extending the Texas Anti-Gang program grant extension.

Um, I went on a ride along with the anti-gang unit, and that was a remarkable experience if you've never done that.

Um it's an incredibly important department, and I'm just thrilled that that we are able to extend their ability to protect us in our community.

Um, it's one of our strongest tools for coordinating all of our jurisdictions to combat gang activity in San Antonio and Bear County.

It allows the SAPD and our partners, including DPS, the Bear County District Attorney's Office, and the Sheriff's Office to continue operating together seamlessly while we finalize the next phase of our funding.

These partnerships enhance intelligence and sharing, reduce duplication of effort, and directly support the safety of our neighborhoods.

They literally sit in like a bullpen together and work on these projects together, and it's remarkable.

Um I just really strongly support this investment because it fights very it's one of our strongest tools again against gang violence, and it's a regional issue, and it requires regional solutions.

And I also wanted to highlight item 13, the comprehensive selective traffic enforcement program, the STEP grant.

This is a tech stock grant that's valued at up to 1.75 million dollars and allows SAPD to expand targeted traffic enforcement, especially for speeding and seat belt violations.

This saves lives through enforcement and also supports outreach and education to promote safer driving habits across the community.

San Antonio continues to face preventable traffic fatalities, and this grant helps to ensure officers have the resources to address dangerous driving behaviors before tragedies occur.

But importantly, this grant does not add cost to our city budget, and it brings state dollars to enhance local safety efforts.

And I fully support this measure as another step toward making our roadways safer for every family who lives, works, and drives in San Antonio.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilwoman Viegodon.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to highlight two items.

Uh one is item 18.

Uh, I won't go down the list, but a number of reappointments for uh district three serving on boards and commissions.

I want to thank all of you who have signed up uh for another term to um to represent and help me represent the district.

So I look forward to seeing you all at the field office and enjoying that time.

So thank you for your service.

The other is uh item 23, the ordinance approving the uh Memorial Street name designation of a portion of Pleasanton Road located between Division and West Sayers Avenue as Dr.

Bill Gonzaba Memorial Way.

I wanted to highlight this item because when uh Karina Rodriguez reached out to my office, I was definitely on board.

Anything that could uh designate the different parts of Pleasanton, which is a very long street, is helpful.

But when she said it was for Dr., we call him Dr.

Bill.

When she said it was for Dr.

Bill, I was a resounding yes because he has been in the area for more than 65 years.

He took what was a small restaurant and turned it into a medical facility, which I like to call um the Little Gonzaga Medical Center.

And I'm not sure who from Gonzava is here if they could raise their hands.

I thought that was you, Paco.

And um just very excited about this because it is so important to honor our legacy and the people who invest in us and the fact that we get to do this for Dr.

Bill, who at 91 years old has the same energy and kindness that helped start this all to do it while he's still here and so that he can see this is very excited.

So I want to thank um I want to thank the council members for uh approving this today and moving this forward, and we you will get the invites when we do the ribbon cutting for uh for Gonzava Way, Dr.

Bills Gonzalo Way.

Thank you.

Councilwin Corps.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just have two quick appointment highlights.

Uh Jennifer Neal is being reappointed to the City of San Antonio Commissioning of Strengthening Family Wellbeing.

And uh Dairi Fernandez is on the San Antonio Youth Commission.

She's a senior at Kipsomos Academy.

She's a senior.

Um she's the senior council, student council vice president, and uh on the yearbook club.

And your book club teaches you a lot.

Thanks, Mayor.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda except for item five, which has been pulled for individual consideration.

Please vote.

The motion passes.

Funding is from the 2022 general obligation bond and the tree preservation fund, and as part of the adopted fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2031 capital improvement program.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Is there a motion and a second to approve so we may begin discussion?

So move.

Okay.

It's been moved and seconded to approve item number five.

Uh, would councilwoman like a staff presentation?

No need for a staff presentation.

Okay.

But I have comments.

Okay, go ahead.

No, and and really, we just uh uh district eight, and I just wanted to highlight this item because we're really excited about it.

You know, the trail is located along Hebner Creek in and we'll go between districts seven and eight and add to the growing greenway trail system.

I'm so happy that a new uh trail park or green space is being added.

I'm happy whenever a new trail park or green space is added to district seven.

So we're really excited to get this project underway now.

More than ever, it's so important for people to have access to green space, not only for their physical health, but their mental health too.

So thank you so much to the parks team for getting this done.

Um we're really excited to kick it off.

It's a great addition to the medical center area, providing trucks is for folks in that area, and um we're just looking forward to it.

Thank you.

Thank you, and uh did all ditto to uh councilmember Gavito's points.

Uh thank you so much to Homer and City staff.

This is an 11 million dollar in this investment in our parks and green spaces in districts seven and eight.

So thank you for all the work.

This is to uh include our Hebner Creek Greenway and our medical center park, also known as Elisa Star Park.

Uh we're I know we're all excited about this.

Residents always look forward, and everywhere I go, um, talk to me about our parks and green spaces, especially in district eight.

Uh so thank you for all your work that you and your team do.

Thank you.

Okay.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second for approval of item number five.

Please vote.

Okay.

The motion passes.

Um point of personal privilege.

I'll allow uh council member uh White to highlight an appointment that you'd like to do.

Thank you, Mayor.

I I appreciate that.

I just wanted to highlight the appointment of Kara Nichols uh to the mayor's commission on the status of women.

Uh Kara's excited to serve.

She's gonna do a great job, and we appreciate uh her willingness to do so.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um, Andy, is there anything we need to do on the item regarding deliberation?

No, no, Mayor.

No, okay, thank you.

Okay.

Uh then the next item is the city manager's report.

Eric, do you have a report today?

Yes, ma'am, thank you.

Uh today's video um highlights uh two employees uh with a program that uh frankly we could uh use a little bit more advertising, and we're gonna we're gonna start to do more of this as we go go forward.

Uh many of you are familiar with our community tool shed program.

It's been exit in existence since 2012 and is a it is grown over that time.

It exists to help residents maintain their properties, especially residents who may have code compliance issues with vegetation.

Um equipment or labor can be expensive.

We all know that.

Um so this community tool shed is a way to access for free uh tools in order to bring their compliance, uh their property into compliance.

Um last year we added uh additional equipment into the program and have been working to expand it uh for options uh for residents with limited transportation needs.

And uh you'll see the video for two of our code officers who who work to make the process as easy as possible for the public.

Let's roll the video.

I enjoy the most getting the residents of San Antonio to help them beautify their community to make sure that where they live they feel comfortable and that they feel safe.

So the community tools program it's been around for a while.

We do have various equipment as far as lawnmowers, electric and gas.

We have trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, basic equipment as far as hand tools, shovels, rags.

The residents of San Antonio are able to borrow.

Everything's free of charge.

We don't take any kind of deposits or anything.

They just need to bring a value form of identification, sign our paperwork, and they'll be good to go.

Let's fill out some basic information.

When they come here, they pick up their equipment, we help them load it up, demonstrate it, we need to demonstrate, and the resident will take that equipment home, utilize it themselves over the weekend, and then they'll bring it back to us on Monday.

It's not required for them to fill it back up with gas or charge the batteries, put more line in the in the trimmers.

That's not required.

As long as they just bring it back in the same operable condition.

After they use it, they're good to go.

What I enjoy the most about this job is helping out the citizens that are in need of equipment.

We have all the resources that they need, so we'll provide it for them so they can come into compliance.

The city will provide it free for you.

Working as a team helps us be professional, helps us succeed out in the field as officers and to be able to help the community.

I just think that the residents need to be more aware of our program here.

You know, it is here for the community, and uh I feel that it needs to be utilized more.

Thank you, Mayor.

And um, we will uh hopefully you start to see more about the community tool shed.

Um I know many of you uh refer your constituents to it, um, but uh it's a great program, and and thank you to the employees that run it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Great, thank you, Eric.

Um, we'll now go into executive session.

I'd ask my colleagues to remain seated until I complete reading the caveats needed to do so.

The time is now 9.36 a.m.

on October 16th.

The city of San 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.

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.

The time is now 10.04 a.m.

on October 16th, and the San Antonio City Council will now reconvene in open session.

No official action was taken in executive session.

The time is now 10 24, and this meeting is adjourned.