San Antonio City Council Regular Meeting - February 19, 2026

The San Antonio City Council convened Thursday, February 19, 2026, at approximately 9:08 a.m. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend David DeSure, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of minutes from the February 4 and February 5 sessions. Mayor Ron Nirenberg presided. The council addressed a proclamation, recognized a hotel workers' union contract victory, and considered several agenda items, including economic development, land acquisition, affordable housing, and a community land trust designation.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Basura Bash Proclamation: Mayor Nirenberg proclaimed March 7, 2026, as "Basura Bash Day" in San Antonio, capping the city's largest annual river cleanup effort. Multiple council members expressed strong support for the event, noting its year-round impact. Charles Bank of the San Antonio River Authority reported that the initiative has removed nearly two million pounds of trash and called for continued community engagement.
• Unite Here Local 23 Recognition: Council member McKee-Rodriguez recognized the hotel workers' union for securing a three-year contract with the Hyatt Regency, the first San Antonio hotel to establish a $20/hour minimum wage for housekeepers. Speakers including Rachel, Mary, and others expressed gratitude for the council's support, stating the contract was a victory for workers citywide. Multiple council members praised the union's courage and leadership.
• Personal Privilege – Police Department: Council member Krier thanked the San Antonio Police Department's Fusion Center for swiftly identifying and arresting an individual who threatened her the previous evening.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (items 4-35) with the exception of items 9, 32, and 34, which were pulled for individual consideration.
• Items highlighted by council members during the consent discussion included:
  • Item 4: Elevator approval ordinance.
  • Item 5: $6.3 million for Ridgman Road street design (Council member McKee-Rodriguez noted this will eliminate a dangerous intersection, with construction starting in 2026 and completion in 2028).
  • Item 8: Acquisition of a service alley for Highway 33 reconstruction and new fire/police station.
  • Item 13 & 14: State homeland security grants to enhance emergency response.
  • Item 15: $2 million (plus previous allocations) for Woodland Lake Park improvements, totaling $6.5 million.
  • Item 20: Reappointment of Roger Perez to the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee.
  • Items 21-23, 24-25, 27: Various board and commission reappointments.
  • Item 33 (originally pulled but subsequently addressed): American Mexican Unity Council community land trust for affordable housing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 32 (9000 Kilbrough Road development):
  • James Stopper spoke in opposition, arguing the project threatens community health, safety, property values, and increases traffic congestion on Gilbo Road.
  • Val de León (project developer, Casino Group) spoke in favor, describing community outreach efforts that reduced building heights, added landscaping, and removed windows facing single-family homes.
  • Jack Finger questioned whether the affordable housing program would verify citizenship of tenants and expressed concern that price controls would harm property values.
  • Janet MacArthur (President, Brown Station West Association) opposed the project, citing 919 resident signatures, concerns about inadequate parking (1.5 spaces per unit), traffic safety, and drainage issues not yet resolved.
• Item 34 (Cultural Lingua community land trust):
  • Nadia Marracas (Executive Director of Cultural Lingua) spoke in favor, explaining the designation will preserve the Solk Road cultural district and provide homeownership opportunities for low-income residents in northwest San Antonio.
  • Jack Finger spoke in opposition, analogizing the land trust to university tuition increases following financial aid, arguing such programs inadvertently drive up housing prices and concentrate poverty.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (CPS Energy land acquisition): Council member Galvan motioned to authorize condemnation for permanent and temporary transmission easements needed for the Ranch Town to Talley Road transmission line. No public comment; motion passed.
• Item 32 (Affordable housing development at 9000 Kilbrough Road): Council member Alderete Gavito led opposition, citing traffic safety, proximity to single-family homes, privacy concerns, and the area's already congested corridors. She noted the developer had made design concessions (reduced height, removed windows) but remained unsatisfied. Council members Kor and Mungia advocated for approval, stressing the need for affordable housing units (65 units for 30-50% AMI) and noting the C3 zoning already permits intensive uses. Council member Villagran supported the resolution, calling for housing first. Developer Val de León committed to further engage with the community. The resolution passed despite the district council member's opposition.
• Item 34 (Cultural Lingua community land trust): Council member Mesa Gonzalez introduced the ordinance designating the organization as a community land trust (CLT) for the Solk Road area. Multiple council members spoke in favor, including Alderete Gavito (who noted the CLT covers parts of her district and will address blighted properties), Mungia, Castillo, and Galvan. The ordinance was approved.
• City Manager's Report: City Manager Erik Walsh presented a video on resilience and sustainability, highlighting the city's second-largest municipal solar panel program (42 city properties) and climate adaptation efforts. He announced that future city manager reports on migration-related topics would shift to a biweekly schedule starting in March.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda items 4-35 (mining routine approvals).
• Approved Item 9 (CPS Energy land acquisition for transmission line).
• Approved Item 32 (resolution of support for affordable housing tax credits at 9000 Kilbrough Road; passed despite district council member Alderete Gavito's opposition; 1 vote noted against).
• Approved Item 34 (ordinance designating Cultural Lingua as a community land trust; unanimous).
• Reconvened after executive session at 2:08 p.m.; no actions taken.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session at 11:00 a.m. to discuss economic development negotiations, real estate transactions, and litigation. No action was taken upon reconvening.