San Antonio City Council Meeting Summary - December 18, 2025

The San Antonio City Council convened on December 18, 2025, to address several agenda items, including the approval of recent minutes, the Leon Creek Greenway eminent domain project, and public comments regarding the Spurs fan community. The primary focus of the day was a contentious debate and vote on Item 4, a resolution to move the City's general election from May to November in odd-numbered years to potentially increase voter turnout and achieve cost efficiencies. Following extensive public testimony and internal deliberation, the Council voted to approve the move to November, despite significant concerns raised by some members regarding the exclusion of Independent School Districts (ISDs) from the alignment and the extension of current official terms by six months.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the meeting minutes for December 3rd and December 4th, 2025, was granted without changes.
• Item 16 was pulled for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Community Representatives: Henry Rodriguez (Lutero Concilio Zapatista/LULAC) and Joe Flores expressed full support for the Spurs franchise and highlighted the loyalty of the Mexican American community. Igo Mendoza presented his music and received appreciation from Councilmembers Cor and Castillo.
• Election Date (May vs. November):
  • Proponents: A vast majority of speakers, including Dolores Huerta, Mia Baldaserra (Voto Latino), Jack Finger (in support), Michelle Lowe Solis, Rachel Melendez, Trish Gronovic, and others, expressed strong support for moving elections to November. They argued that May dates conflict with Fiesta, school schedules, and summer vacations, resulting in historically low turnout (averaging under 15-17% in recent years). They cited data and experience from other cities (Dallas, Houston, Austin) showing increased participation and cost savings in November.
  • Opponents: Rick Sinkfield (in support of naming Iowa Street) and Jack Finger (item 24 opposition) and Dennis Gonzalez (Northeast Neighborhood Alliance) expressed hesitation. Gonzalez argued that consolidating elections onto a crowded November ballot with state constitutional amendments would confuse voters and dilute focus on local issues. Councilmember Castillo and Councilmember Aldarete Gavito expressed concern that the lack of coordination with ISDs would negatively impact school funding and voter access.
• Other Topics: Olivia De La Garza offered positive feedback on Councilmember Castillo's speed bump initiatives and safety advocacy. Rick Sinkfield expressed full support for designating a portion of Iowa Street as Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Way.

Discussion Items

• Item 24 (Affordable Housing): Jack Finger opposed Item 24, characterizing "affordable housing" and "Housing Tax Credits (HTCs)" as "welfare housing." He argued that the development targets census tracts where households have incomes at 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), stating that 39% of units in the tract are supported by HTCs, and warned the council that approving this would make the city "poorer."
• Item 4 (Election Date Change):
  • Arguments for Passage: Speakers and Councilmembers supported the change citing the alignment with the November voting habit, the ability to reduce administrative costs (estimated $800k-$1M), and the mitigation of barriers for working families, students, and people of color. Mayor Jones emphasized that the opportunity would not likely recur due to legislative constraints.
  • Arguments Against Passage: Councilmembers Cor, Castillo, Galvan, Aldarete Gavito, Mesa Gonzalez, and White expressed reservations. They highlighted that the projected cost savings were unverified and that schools districts (ISDs), which have different election cycles, would not be forced to align, potentially increasing their costs or reducing their polling sites. Specifically, Councilmember White noted that the Council would be unilaterally extending their own terms by six months without a voter mandate. Councilmember Galvan argued that even-year November elections offer significantly higher turnout than odd-year ones, but acknowledged the state law limits them to odd years.
  • Staff Clarification: Staff confirmed that the city lacks the authority to force ISDs to change their election dates; ISD participation is voluntary based on state law allowing joint elections with county or other entities.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes for Dec 3 and Dec 4 were approved.
• Item 16 (Leon Creek Greenway): Approved unanimously to authorize the use of eminent domain to acquire 1.321 acres of private property for the Leon Creek Greenway project (Rim to Raymond Russell Park).
• Item 5 (Airport Terminal C): Approved unanimously to establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $1,309,702,171 for the construction of Terminal C with Hensel Phelps.
• Item 4 (Election Date Change):
  • Motion: To move the City Council and Mayor general election from May to November in odd-numbered years.
  • Vote Result: Passed (9 Ayes, 5 Nay)
  • Tally:
    • Ayes: McKee Rodriguez, Via Gran, Mungia, Galvan, Spears, White, Mayor Jones (Note: Councilmember Corr, Castillo, Aldarete Gavito, and Mesa Gonzalez voted Nay based on the transcript roll call).
    • Nays: Corr, Castillo, Aldarete Gavito, Mesa Gonzalez.
    • Correction on Vote Count in Transcript: The transcript states "The eyes have it" and lists the final vote. Mayor Jones voted Aye. The majority voted in favor of the motion.
• Next Steps: The City will begin a public awareness campaign to inform residents of the new election schedule. The Council will consider future legislative efforts to align school district elections and potentially move to even-year November elections in subsequent sessions. The Council adjourned the session to continue with zoning matters.