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Good morning.

The time is now 9 08 a.m.

on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is now called to order.

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Councilmember Corps.

Councilmember Mickey Rodriguez.

Present.

Councilmember Via Gran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

President.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Galvan.

Here.

Councilmember Aldarete Gavito.

Here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Present.

Councilmember Spears.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Mayor, we have quorum.

Thank you.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez is recognized to introduce today's invocutor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Colleagues in France.

Today I have the distinct privilege and honor of introducing a friend of mine, Reverend Deborah D.

Seward.

Reverend Seward brings a background in education, ministry, and community service.

Reverend Seward has been actually actively involved in the ministry as a pastoral a minister, completing her studies at the Oblate School of Theology in 2019.

She has served her community through the San Antonio Martin Luther King Junior Commission, where she serves as my appointee as the chair for the MLK March Committee for the past three years.

Additionally, Reverend Seward serves as the community engagement specialist for SACAM, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum.

Most recently, she has been elected as the worthy matron for Ada Chapter No.

2067, Order of the Eastern Star, San Antonio, Texas, an organization steeped in deep African American history.

A devoted wife, mother, and trusted community advocate, Reverend Seward is deeply committed to building authentic relationships and fostering inclusive spaces where history, culture, and community intersect.

We are honored to have with us today, Reverend Deborah Seward.

The floor is yours.

Help each of us to show your love to every person we meet and bless our world to be a better place of understanding and individuality for all.

Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom.

The song was later adopted by the NAACP and prominently used as a rally and cry during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Ansel Joy Macaulay is the vocal director at Crossing Point Church.

Thank you for having me here today.

Full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.

Let us march on victory.

Let us march on victory is one.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ansel.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice.

Item three is approval of the minutes for the city council meetings of February 4th and 5th.

Are there any corrections or um edits to the minutes?

Okay.

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

Motion to answer.

Okay.

There's a motion and a second to approve.

Please vote.

Aye.

Councilmember Viegran.

Aye.

The motion carries.

Thank you.

I will now read a proclamation for the annual Basurabash River Cleanup.

Okay.

The City of San Antonio recognizes that River Aid San Antonio will kick off its 2026 river cleanup efforts with the 31st annual Basurabash on March 7th, 2026.

And whereas Basurabash is the largest single-day cleanup of the San Antonio River and its tributaries, and is a collaborative effort involving government agencies, schools, neighborhood associations, corporate sponsors, environmentally conscious organizations, and dedicated individuals.

And whereas each year, more than 1,900 volunteers collect and sort over 27 tons of trash, metal, and recyclable materials, diverting a significant amount of waste from our growing landfill.

And whereas, by preserving the community's natural and reusable resources, Basurabash fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility and helps ensure that the San Antonio River Basin remains a beautiful and safe place for all to enjoy.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, mayor of the city of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim March March 7th, 2026, respectively, to be Basurabash in San Antonio and commend all individuals involved in this cleanup effort for doing their part to protect our environment.

Thank you for that.

Charles Bank with River Aid San Antonio is recognized to speak.

Thank you, Mayor Jones, and thank you all council members for your time today and your attention and your participation in this event.

The district engagement of the Sora Bash has always been something that is such a vital, vital part of it.

And it wouldn't have made it 31 years without the historic commitment of all of your departments and districts.

Last year, with the help of city departments like SolidWays, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, many of you and other wards like San Antonio River Authority, Brackenridge Park, we gathered 2,130 volunteers.

And in a single day, we picked up a hundred and five thousand pounds of trash from waterways all across Bear County and our city.

Now one day, it's fantastic the magnitude of Basora Bash, and it states to the entire country, if not the world, that San Antonio is the type of city that cares about its waterways.

But of course, that care needs to extend year round.

And much like that care needs to extend year round, these waterways are what connects us, whether it's um Salado Creek that's running through eight, nine, ten, two, and three, or it's Leon and Alazon Creek that's running through seven, six, four, and one.

These waterways bind us, they don't respect our political boundaries.

And we all know you know that, and you've proven yet again this year that you are willing to back that fact and support an event that makes a difference for all of San Antonio, not just your constituents.

Um because of that historic support, we've accomplished almost two million pounds of trash recovered, and we're happy to report that this year, as long as the event carries forward, we will hit that two million pound mark.

So I thank you for your historic support.

And uh I just want to say to all of the council members, our door is always open year-round.

We keep our program going.

So if you have a need that San Antonio can or River Aid San Antonio can help you address for San Antonio, please reach out.

Basora Bash is just the most fun we have together.

But there's plenty of work to do.

Thank you so much.

Would any council members like to speak?

Yep, Councilwoman Corri.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just wanted to recognize you all for your work and give a plug for our district one sites.

We're actually going to do two sites this year.

One is Rock Creek Run, which is the northern part of our district, and then we're also doing a spot right next to Weha at the Alazon Creek.

So we'd love to see everyone out.

You know how much of a competition this gets, and we want to make sure we pick up all of the tons of trash that we can.

Thanks.

Councilmember Mungia.

Just want to say thank you for all your work that you do, not just with Lasuda Bash, but year-round, and the amount of trash you pick up from Riverways is vitally important to our ecosystem.

And so you all always help us with Indian Creek, which is a major uh creek in our district.

It uh unfortunately gets polluted a lot because of a lot of residential in the area.

So thank you for your work and we look forward to seeing you out there.

Um, Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Charles, and uh all the work that y'all do.

Um, as you mentioned, many of these creeks uh all intersect, and we had a great meeting with the Lone Star Neighborhood community to talk about how we can bridge the gap from between the east and west uh and the importance of those trails and communities coming together to beautify uh our communities.

Extremely grateful for uh all that y'all do, not just within the creeks of district five, but all throughout the city of San Antonio.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you so much today.

Uh well, and every day to the uh River Aid San Antonio for all the work y'all do to keep sure uh keep our rivers and our creeks clean.

Make sure that our folks, especially the log the trailways are able to enjoy a beautiful um place to go to and to enjoy and to uh just take kind of everyday recreation there out into nature near our communities.

I'm extremely excited for my first Basuda Bash uh within District Six to go out to Calabra Creek, the kind of farthest edge of our district towards Almo Ranch, uh right next to Claybor Creek Park.

Uh Standard Arrow and Varacas will both be there as well.

Um I know most of I think all my staff actually will be present as well.

So I'm very excited to be able to have uh that momentum behind us, and I'll be sure to push as much as I can to get as many volunteers out there that I think district six will be able to provide.

Thanks.

Councilmember Alderata Gavito.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Charles, um, to you and your team for all of y'all's efforts in in helping make Basuda Bash uh a successful event every year, and y'all are always um really great partners to the District 7 team and I.

Uh my team and I look forward to Basura Bash every single year.

I mean, it's a good team building um activity, and then you're you know, you're um getting to a chance to talk with residents.

This year we're extra excited because what for the first time ever, Woodlawn Lake is added as a tributary, and so we're so excited about that.

We know um that after a rainstorm, there's so much trash at Woodlawn Lake.

She's not expecting this, but I'd like Latika to stand up.

I have the best team, and Latika really advocated on behalf of so many district seven residents.

Um she advocated um on behalf of so many district seven residents too at Woodlawn Lake.

And so we we were really excited about it.

We opened up a hundred slots, those filled up right away.

We opened up 50 more slots, those filled up right away.

So we we are really looking forward to to the the event this year, but every single year, this is uh it's a huge event, and um, and thank you for your consistent work, not only on Basura Bash, but every day of the year.

Thanks so much.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Charles.

Uh, to you and your team.

Um worked at the I worked at the San Antonio River Authority over 18 years ago, and so it's so great to see an organization like yours come to life, you know, 18 years later.

Um, and just thank you so much for everything you do to protect our waterways uh for us and for future generations.

Uh, we look forward to Basuda Bash in District 8.

Um, so look forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you.

Councilmember Spears.

Well, I'm really excited to do Basura Bash this year and about the impact it will have on Walker Ranch.

And um, you know, I love the way that it's bringing the community together.

It really helps uh leave a lasting impact even after it's over.

You're more mindful about what's happening with the water.

And I sound like a broken record, but in District 9, we're on the recharge zone, and and we're always paying attention to the water.

So thank you so much for this effort and really reminding us how precious it really is to protect our waterways.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bank, for your leadership and advocacy.

Thank you.

Thank you, members.

Thank you, Mayor Jones.

Okay, personal point of privilege.

Um, I am very excited um to welcome to City Hall, uh Unite 23 local uh Unite Here Local 23 chapter.

Um so if you'd please come up.

Unite here local 23.

Recently secured a three-year contract.

And uh this is the Union Hotel for Hospital Union for Hotel and Hospitality Workers, uh, representing thousands of workers across the state of Texas.

Many of the union members are both at the Grand Hyatt and High Regency and have worked at the hotel for decades as we got to hear some of my council colleagues and I were at your holiday party uh slash victory party.

So we got to hear um about your many, many years of of service to our to our at the hotel, but frankly to our community.

Yeah.

Um and I know they take great pride in their work, welcoming visitors uh to our city every single day.

So a little bit about why this contract is so significant.

Um, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency workers won the following in their new contract, right?

The first, the first hotel in San Antonio to ever have a $20 an hour minimum wage for back of the house workers.

Some of you might be thinking, what's back of the house?

So that's our housekeeping, that's our laundry, right?

Folks making it happen.

They also secured reduced workload for housekeepers.

Housekeeping is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the hotel.

Reduced insurance costs.

Juneteenth added as a paid holiday.

Uh tipped employees received increased paid time off.

Um and it also there was uh successorship language that you also were able to secure, which is if meaning if the hotel ownership changes, the new owners will have to recognize the current union contract that is.

So Rachel has brought many of her team members here.

Thank you, not only for what you were able to do for your workers, um, but as we all know, um, when union wins, the rest of the city wins, right?

Because you lift the standard.

You show everybody what's possible.

So let me thank you for your courage, your courage to ask for, really demand, right?

Really demand uh what you are worth and what you deserve, and frankly, the ways in which it's gonna make this a better um environment for others that are also going to benefit from your hard work.

So um, Rachel, if you'd like to say a few words, and then some of your members, and I know some of my colleagues would like to say something as well.

Totally.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

Um, thank you for taking the time to honor our members.

I'm here joined by uh our negotiating committee.

So the folks who actually sit across the table from the company and bargain the contract.

So um I wanted to pass it to Titsie and Mary to say a couple of words.

All I have to say, Mayor, and everyone here, thank you, thank you for making this happen, standing beside us.

Appreciate every one of you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Hi.

Hi, thank you.

Yes, I'm gonna say short industry, yes, thank you very much, for each and every one of you, right?

Yes, we all had the courage, right?

We stood in our bonus, and we like you said, we demand it because we deserve it, right?

Like a single mom.

And to me, it's a tremendous difference, like now I have, right?

And to support and have what I can give to my children, right?

And like ici vacations, but I just want to thank each and every one of you.

Thank you so much.

So I joined the union in 2010, and I was working on the campaign to help them win recog recognition, right?

Union recognition.

And you know, I've told you this story, Mayor, but um there were people across the city who were telling me, I support the workers, but there's no way they're gonna win against this powerful international corporation.

I had other people telling me uh they should be grateful they have a job, and if they don't like it, they could go somewhere else.

Uh but these guys never gave up.

And here we are today, right?

Uh breaking new ground, this kind of uh like life-changing contract.

Um I'm so proud to know them and work with them, and uh they are continually showing, like you said, the city, right?

Like when we join together, um, we can win big things, and we will win big things.

Um, and I also think this is just an example of what can be achieved, right?

When workers and their employer sit down and negotiate in good faith and come up with a fair contract, right?

So um we plan to keep winning for hospitality workers in the city.

We're gonna keep talking to workers all over, and uh what we want to raise a standard for everybody.

So thank you again, Mayor, for uh taking the time to bring us here today.

Thank you to our council friends and allies who've stood with us.

And um, yeah, Cisa Pudo.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Mungia.

Congratulations.

I know I got to meet with some of you in the past, and I'm very proud of you all.

We were talking about it.

Uh and it's a really big deal, and that just goes to show that the company knows how much you are important to the success of the hotel.

Um, and so I look around, I see uh mostly women right here today, right?

Y'all are the ones leaders.

There's a few token men in the back here.

Uh but you know that's what it takes, right?

And it is courageous.

So just thank you, not only for you, what you did for you and all the co-workers that you have, but what you're showing the rest of the city what's possible.

Um, and that it doesn't matter if it's a huge corporation.

Um, you have to be there, you have to pursue it, and then you can get it.

So, congratulations to you all.

It's a big deal.

Thank you.

Councilmember.

Thanks, Mayor.

Congratulations.

I really enjoyed having dinner with you guys, not only to talk to you and get to know you better, but also your partners, because there many of them are there or missing you when you have to be working even the night shift and etc.

So it's really great to be able to hear from them.

And I was probably one of those ones that was like, I don't know, you it's gonna be an uphill climb, but you showed me what's possible.

So thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council Member McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mayor, for uh recognizing the new the union here.

Uh congratulations.

Um I don't want to belabor the point, but thank you for not just standing up and fighting for yourselves and demanding what is fair and just uh and knowing and continuing to recognize that there's more, there's more that you deserve, and there's more that you will win in the future.

Uh but thank you for fighting again, not just for yourself, but for the rest of the city, because in a few months and a few years, we're gonna see the rest of the hotels have to do the same thing that you guys are doing, and while you guys are onward and upward, uh, these chains are gonna have to catch up.

And so I again you're not just fighting for yourself, you're fighting for uh everyone else and every other worker in the city, not just hospitality, but every worker.

And so again, continue to set a new standard, and thank y'all for all y'all's work.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor, and congratulations for uh leading the way and being united in ensuring that not just hospitality workers in the city of San Antonio, but all throughout the state of Texas have opportunity to guarantee better wages.

Um, but as Mary Antutti mentioned, right?

This was workers organizing in the workplace to advocate for better living conditions.

And while I'm proud to be an ally of labor throughout the city of San Antonio, it's important to recognize that it comes from you all organizing in that workspace and having good union stewards, uh, making sure that your dues are working for you all to ensure on the end uh that y'all receive those benefits.

But it's about a collective, and uh I really appreciated breaking bread with you all, celebrating all this victory, learning how you all navigated throughout the pandemic and different uh shifts that uh we saw throughout the city, but understanding how it impacted the hospitality industry.

And what I think is very important to highlight, right, is the work uh and leadership that hospitality teaches, right?

Hospitality teaches teamwork, and what we see here with the bargaining uh group as well as out in the community.

It's it's how can I help you?

How can we help each other?

And how can we stand together on the picket line to ensure that not just in the state of in the city rather than San Antonio, but in Houston and Dallas, so on and so forth, are getting those increased wages.

So thank y'all, and the work continues.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor.

I just want to say incredible thank you and incredible congratulations to Unite here, not only here in San Antonio, but across Texas.

You are constantly paving the way for everybody here in the entire state to prove that when we organize an ordinary working people organize together, talk to our coworkers, talk to our neighbors, we can win real material change for our communities and for ourselves and for our families.

And so I I I'm gonna piggy like a little bit off what Councilmember Castillo said.

You know, I really appreciate all the the warm gratitude that you all have brought here today.

But I want to thank you all because you all did this.

You all made this happen.

Your organizing, your commitment.

You stood up, you demanded, you negotiated, you won, and you deserve this.

So, you know, I just want to make that very clear that I appreciate the gratitude towards us and for being out of the clear, but you all made this happen, and I just I cannot think that enough.

And I just I think it's important uh upon all of us, right, to remember that as you talk about San Antonio's growing economy as you're working on making our our downtown revitalizing work on making our entire city's economy grow.

We cannot talk about San Antonio's economy without talking about the tourism industry, and when we do that, we cannot leave labor out of that conversation either.

When our downtown is being talked about what it can be, what it should be, what it can look like, what kind of investors we're making in there.

We have to remember that the only way downtown thrives is when labor wins.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, thank you.

Councilmember Aldrete Gavito.

I just uh I'll be brief.

Uh Rachel, thank you so much for your tireless work.

Tootsie and Mary, thank you so much on all of y'all's work as well.

You know, I'm gonna piggyback off of uh Councilman McKee Rodriguez's, you know, this win is for you all, but the impact that you all have, not only um in this industry but others is is massive.

So thank you for leading the way, thank you for leading the charge, and thank you for for again the impact that y'all are gonna have on so many people's lives that y'all don't even know about, and and that's how that's how it works.

So thanks again for being here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, congratulations, Rachel, and your team.

Um, everyone at Unite Here Local 23 that isn't here today.

Um, but this is uh a win for one is a win for all, right?

So thank you for all the work you did uh to fight for workers, not just in San Antonio, but throughout the state.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks so much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As a point of personal privilege, I want to say thank you to our SAPD officers as well as to the fusion center.

Um last night uh they arrested an individual um who unfortunately made a threat against my life.

Um and the work that was done to expeditiously identify and arrest that person is not um is not lost on given all the things that are happening in our community, the way in which again they quickly identified apprehended that individual.

I appreciate there is just no room, and unfortunately we've seen it too many instances on this dais.

There's just no room in our community for political violence.

And again, my thanks to the fusion center and SAPD.

Items four and 35, uh four through 35 are on the consent agenda.

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

In terms of items that are pulled, I have council member pulling number item number nine.

I have council member Aldrete Gavita pulling item 32, and then council member Aldrete uh Gavito and Meso Gonzalez pulling 34, correct?

Okay, are there others to be pulled?

Okay.

Okay.

We have several individuals signed up.

Oh gotcha, thank you.

Okay.

We have one um one individual that we pull that will be uh brought up during this time.

Um Jack Finger.

There he is.

So you have three minutes.

Yes, uh Madam Mayor, uh, which uh items are on consent uh remain there that uh I have going to speak on are 32 and 34 pulled forward.

Oh okay, and uh so I'll be speaking on item number 33.

Yes, uh Mayor Ortiz, other members of our San Antonio City Council for the record.

My name is Jack M.

Finger.

Um item 32 is about the well excuse me, 33.

So thank you, madam clerk.

Yeah, um item 33 is an ordinance designating the well I'll let you read it to you, the the readers should see it for yourself there.

32 uh that's right, ordinance uh designating Mix American Unity Council, otherwise known as mock.

Clear up clear up the blurs there, yes.

Um the development fund as a community land trust.

Okay, now please return the camera to the podium.

The problem we have I have with this is that if you look at the backup documents, you'll find that it gives the Mexican American Unity Council a uh a whole lot of land that uh somebody had to pay for earlier.

Um you do that, and they in turn get a chance to lease it out, rent it out to persons so so supposedly below the uh uh the area median income.

Well, essentially you're placing price controls upon these properties, and these properties are all around the uh northwestern part of town.

And uh well, what happens when you put price controls on something?

We we did it at nationwide back when inflation was really high back in the 70s, and it turned out to be a gigantic mistake.

When you put price controls on something, you uh you skew the values.

What's going to happen to those properties when the free market cannot buy it or sell it at a natural price?

What happens to those properties?

Well, do they when the owners can't do anything with it, and uh the the maintenance, the operations increase, but they can't they can't uh if they want to sell it for a certain price, it ain't gonna work.

You have a major boondoggle on your hands.

Yeah, that's what price controls do, plus the fact that it it uh gets to sold to people with uh well be like I say below the area median income, 30 percent, 50 percent below it.

No, um so the people that next you who are living next to these, you'll be you'll be welcome.

Your new welfare neighbors.

Okay.

Thanks.

Is there a motion to uh approve the balance of the consent agenda?

Okay, it is moved and second to approve the balance of the consent agenda.

We also have several um highlights, council member Massa Gonzalez highlighting 24, 25, 26, and 27.

Are there other items that council would like to highlight?

Let me just start over here.

Councilman Corr.

Um, what number?

Okay, okay, council member, I think.

Okay, do you have something?

Okay.

Anything else?

Excuse me.

Five zero, one five.

Yep, thank you.

Okay.

Anything else?

13 14 and 28.

Okay.

Got it.

Okay.

Yeah, basically.

Um, so council member core is going to highlight number four and number 20.

Um, council member Maki Rodriguez will highlight number five.

Councilmember Castillo will highlight eight and thirty-three.

Um, Councilmember uh Mess Aldrete Govito will highlight 15.

Um, Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez, 24, 25, 26, and 27.

Councilmember White, 13, 14, and 28.

Have I missed any?

Councilmember Mungia, would you like to highlight anything?

21, 22, and 23.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

So there being no further discussion, there's a motion and second to approve the consent agenda except for items 9, 32, and 34, which have been pulled for individual consideration.

Please vote.

You sorry, you're gonna highlight them now.

Okay, all in that order.

Okay.

Apologies.

We're gonna go to um councilmember core number.

Go ahead.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um, two quick highlights.

Item number four is a rehab for our city tower elevators, and I know that's not so super exciting for a lot of residents, but they keep breaking down.

And we always want to make sure that our city staff is that me.

Oh, sorry, I don't know what happened.

Uh we always want to make sure that our city staff is taken care of.

So I'm glad that we had a fund to be able to pull from to be able to do that.

And then item number 20 is uh a reappointment of Roger Perez to the Alamo Citizen Advisory Committee.

He actually previously sat in this seat and has done a great job leading through all of the changes that's been going that have been going on over there.

So we're sending him lots of positive vibes to keep doing that.

Thanks, Mayor.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'll be brief.

Uh, I'm highlighting item number five, uh, which is six point three million dollars in funding for the design of a raised intersection across Ridman Road and Gibbs Spro.

It is very timely because I am constantly being stopped by that train.

I get asked all the time by uh my constituents, hey, what's the next step in this uh in the railroad in the crossing elimination for this for this intersection?

Uh and this is it.

It's four it's going to include four point eight million dollars in a federal grant to finish the study and complete the design.

My goal is shovel ready projects, and it looks like this will begin in 2026, the design, and is going to end by fall 2028.

And so between now and then we must find the hundred plus million dollars it's gonna take to eliminate this railroad crossing, but we're on it.

Thank you.

Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd like to highlight some appointments today.

We are reappointing Grace Garza to the City of San Antonio's Commission on Strengthening Family Wellbeing.

Uh Grace is a lifelong D4 resident and actually grew up in my office building because her her father built that building that we're office in.

Uh I also want to highlight the appointment of Drew Galloway to the Historic and Design Review Commission, which is a tough commission to get appointment for in D4.

Uh and Drew's just a great resident and citizen of the San Antonio of N D4, so we we're very proud of him.

I also want to reappoint um Susana Saguda to the San Antonio Arts Commission.

Uh she's been our D4 appointee for many, many years growing up in D4, and we're proud to have her continue on that commission.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Bugastillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

This morning I would like to highlight a couple of items beginning beginning with item eight, which is the acquisition of a service alley.

This service alley wait, while it may not sound sexy, it's a key piece in the reconstruction of fire station 33.

Uh so we're just really grateful for the facilities, bond committee uh that helped advocate for uh new fire station, uh, of course, for development services, Mike Shannon, Razi when he was with the team, uh, and then of course the real estate acquisition team.

This is something that within my first few weeks on council, the firefighters association invited my team out to go uh walk through the existing facility uh and then helped uh advocate to ensure that we secured uh funding for the construction of this new facility.

I'd also like to highlight item number 33, which is the community land trust with the Mexican American Unity Council that services District 5 and beyond.

Uh, we're extremely grateful for the work and service and housing that y'all provide to the city of San Antonio.

Uh grateful for the work of the neighborhood and housing services department as well for ensuring that this component of the strategic housing implementation plan continues to move forward.

Uh I'm very excited, my team's excited because this helps complement the work of the council consideration request that we filed on tiered affordability when it comes to housing trust uh community land trust, rather, ensuring that we're prioritizing the deepest affordability uh as we move these projects forward.

And I'm uh excited to hear the other item highlighted and uh grateful to see Nadia here as well.

Um but it's really exciting items this morning.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Aldarte Gavito.

Thank you.

Uh I am so excited to be highlighting item number 15, which is approving the acceptance of two million dollars in grant funds from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for Woodlawn Lake Park.

Um we all know that Woodlawn Lake Park is not only a gem of District 7, but also the City of San Antonio.

We have Earth Day there, July 4th, and and really just the community gathers to celebrate um all sorts of events there.

You know, I always say it's probably one of the most utilized parks in the city on a daily basis.

So it was long overdue for some much needed TLC.

Um in 2024, my team and I, in partnership with uh San Antonio uh Parks and Rec, the San Antonio River Authority, and with the support of State Rep Trade Martinez Fisher, County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, Congressman Joaquin Castro, we all successfully submitted an application to the federal government to get $3.25 million for improvements in the park.

Um then we're gonna match that with city's bond funding.

And so that that funding will bring a splash pad, fishing notes, terrace seating to our park, and construction is begin uh set to begin this year.

To build off of this momentum, I'm proud to approve the item.

This item that adds two million more dollars in funding to further improve the park, uh, which is a total investment of six point five million.

This additional funding was brought in thanks to the advocacy of state rep Trey Martinez Fisher, who fought for those dollars through the state's budget process.

With these dollars, we will finally, finally, finally have a complete bike path around Woodlawn Lake Park, which is so important because so many families um ride their bikes around the park and five they'll finally have a safe place to do this.

I can't wait for this full vision to come to life, and I see sincerely want to thank uh Representative Martinez Fisher for his work on this.

And he's here with us today, so I'd like to invite him to the podium to say a few words.

Good morning, Mayor of the Council.

Thank you, Councilman, for having me here.

Uh Councilman Alderete Gavito and I are very intentional and passionate about Woodlawn Lake Park.

I will tell you uh the late Senator Joe J.

Bernal, who died last year at the age of 97, would remind us of the times that he would walk to Woodlawn Lake Park from Lanier High School uh barefooted uh and not be accepted and allowed to swim in the park pool because of the times uh back then.

Uh we are very intentional about making that park the people's park.

And so just to give the council some awareness and some flavor, uh local park grants given by the state are very competitive.

We have 181 lawmakers.

This allocation, this biennium was only 60 million dollars.

Every member of the legislature wants a park grant in their district, not everyone gets one.

This is the second allocation for Woodlawn Lake.

There was a million and a half allocated in a larger three million dollar package back in 2015 with the help of then say representative Justin Rodriguez.

Uh we put a million and a half at Woodlawn, a million to seed the land bridge at Harburger Park, and a half a million for Rosedale and Loma Park.

Uh these park dollars are very, very hard to come by, but we really care about what's happening there.

And Councilman, you've done great work and great leadership.

And I also want to commend the staff.

It was uh the then parks director, Xavier Ruthia, who pinned me down at a lunch and asked me why did all the local grant money go to the city of Houston, none of it went to San Antonio.

Uh lo and behold, we didn't really know about this program.

Uh and because of his advocacy, we put the first round of funding in in 2015.

And now with that convinced continued advocacy with Homer and his team, uh, we take the view that it's all of the above strategy when it comes to putting money in Woodlawn Lake.

And so, manager, I appreciate your words on wanting to continue to work with, you know, looking forward to working with you and your team as we explore how to expand that footprint at Woodlawn because there is an opportunity to do that, and I hope that everybody who enjoys that park would partake in that.

And Councilwoman, we look to your leadership as well uh to get that done.

So, Mayor's good to see you.

Thank you for having me here.

Have a wonderful day.

Thank you.

Councilmember White.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh, highlighting items 13 and 14 together, these are grants that we are uh we've applied for and are going to accept uh from the uh state homeland security program.

The grants are designed to enhance the city's ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from uh acts of terrorism affecting our area, uh both domestic and international.

Also want to highlight item 28, which is the reappointment of Joe Nix to the Brooks Development Authority.

Uh, Mr.

Nix uh has lent his expertise on various land development uh advisory committees, including serving as our zoning commissioner from 2016 to 2019.

Mr.

Nix was appointed to the Brooks Development Authority Board of Directors in January 2020.

He served as a member of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Council and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee.

So we're thrilled to reappoint him today.

Thanks, Mayor.

Okay.

Great.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda.

Oh, I'm sorry, I've got sorry, Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez, please.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I'm highlighting a number of district eight appointments today.

Um if those appointees can please rise.

Um I'm going to start with the appointment of Mr.

Alex Travieso to the Historic and Design Review Commission as a lifelong San Antonian and graduate from Central Catholic High School and Texas State University, a descendant of the Canary Islands.

I know he appreciates our history and culture and will be such an asset to this uh commission.

Thank you so much, Mr.

Tarvieso, for your service.

Next, we have Chris Fullerton here.

I believe I saw him in the back.

Um, uh District 8 resident uh uh appointment to the historic compliance and technical advisory board.

Um as a district eight resident, he brings experience in historic water law and environmental ethics.

Chris has served on many different committees, such as the Drainage and Flood Control Bond Committee, the Planning Commission Technical Advisory Board, and the CPS rate advisory board.

With all that experience and dedication to civic uh civic duty, Chris will be a benefit to this board.

Thank you, Chris, for your uh willingness to serve.

Next, we have Peggy Peterson here.

Um, appointment of Peggy Peterson to the Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs.

Peggy Peterson is she's my neighbor, number one.

But she is a retired Northeast ISD principal and resident of District 8 for more than 20 decades.

She is a lifelong educator, working as a teacher, assistant principal, and ending her career as principal, retiring in 2010.

She has a bachelor's in elementary education from University of Houston, as well as a graduate degree from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Um, with her passion for helping others, I know that she will be a great addition to this board.

Thank you so much for your service, Peggy.

And last but not least, Miguel Castro.

Um, the appointment of Miguel Castro to our disability access advisory committee.

Uh Miguel is a graduate of Business Careers High School, um, and in his spare time, not much actually, because he does so much.

Uh, he has served as a member of Via's Accessible Transit Advisory Committee, board chair of San Antonio Independent Living Services, a member of the West Side Lions Club, and Texas AM University Student Government Association.

Thank you so much, as well as an intern, excuse me, for Congressman Joaquin Castro's office.

Miguel, thank you so much.

Always saying yes to serve our community.

That's it.

That's all, Mayor.

Thank you.

Great.

I will also highlight um Mujan JJ Pana, uh, who was my appointee to the zoning commission.

Um, Mujahn, some of you may know, she was recently inducted as the president of the San Antonio Asian Alliance.

Um, originally from Tehran, she started the uh San Antonio Persian Cultural Society in 2018.

Uh, is a uh involved in the real estate industry and our community as an a leader uh in so many fronts.

So thank you, Mujan, for stepping up to serve in that capacity as well.

Okay, there being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda except for items nine, thirty-two, and thirty-four.

Please vote.

Okay, the motion carries.

Okay.

Item nine was pulled by councilmember Galvan for individual consideration.

Uh Madam Clerk, please read the caption.

Item number nine is an ordinance approving the acquisition on behalf of the CPS energy through negotiation or condemnation of interests in land sufficient for the project purposes involving 17 permanent electric transmission easements and two temporary construction easements on privately owned real property located on the northwest side of Bear County in county blocks 4508-4510-4577 4577A 4578 4598 4597, beginning at the ranch town substation along State Highway 16 and following an existing electric transmission corridor in a southwesterly direction along State Highway 211 to the Tally Road substation, declaring the project to be for public use and a public necessity for the acquisition.

Okay.

Councilmember Govan is recognized to make the motion.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Debbie, for reading the caption as well.

I move that the City of San Antonio authorize the use of power of eminent domain on behalf of CPS Energy to acquire property for the public use project for the ranch town to tally road transmission project by acquiring the following property described by the city clerk and incorporated as part of this motion.

The privately owned real property located on the northwest side of Bear County, consisting of 17 permanent electric transmission easements and two temporary construction easements for the CPS Ranch Town to Tally Road Transmission Project in County Blocks 4508 4510 457 4577A 4578 4598 and 4597 beginning at the ranch town substation along highway state highway 16 and following an existing electric transmission corridor in a southwesterly direction along State Highway 211 to the Tally Road substation.

These projects are depicted in the overall project map and more particularly described by the exhibits attached and incorporated as a part of this motion.

And there are no members of the public that have signed up to speak on this item.

There being a motion and a second for approval of item number nine.

Is there any discussion?

Okay.

Hearing none, please vote.

She's out.

Okay.

The motion carries.

Item 32 was pulled by Councilmember Aldrata Gavito for individual consideration.

Madam Clerk, please read the caption.

Item number 32 is a resolution of support for the VBGSA 26 LP application for 2026 competitive 9% housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the construction of Neuesto Triera, a 65-unit affordable housing development located in the 9600 block of Gilbo Road in Council District 7.

Councilmember, would you like a staff presentation?

No need for presentation.

Okay.

I do have comments, though.

Okay.

We have several individuals from the uh public that have signed up to speak on this.

The first one being James Stopper, followed by Val de Leon, and then Jack Finger.

Sir, you have three minutes.

Come on.

Good day.

I'm speaking in opposition of the proposed New Estra Theater development, uh, and in favor of the City of San Antonio withdrawing its support.

Community opposition is growing and will continue as more residents learn about this project.

The development would harm the character, stability, and integrity of the adjacent neighborhoods and the surrounding established community with the greatest effects on the homes nearest to development.

Key concerns include loss of privacy, increased traffic and safety risk on Gilbo Road, security issues, noise and light pollution, reduced property values, strain on utilities, loss of a green space, and the inevitable physical degradation, upkeep, and long-term maintenance challenges of the building over time.

The project's high density lacks adequate buffering, screening, and lighting controls of neighboring homes.

Public safety is a serious issue.

Gilbert Road is a four-lane without room for expansion and is already congested from existing residential density, nearby intersections, parts of mix schools, surrounding businesses, and direct access to 1604 and Bandera Road.

Adding traffic from 65 units combined with the right in, right out design will increase congestion, encourage unsafe U-turns and cut-through traffic, including near a school zone.

There's no bus service along Gilbo Road.

There are limited employment opportunities within reasonable walking distance.

The potential number of residents will make on-site parking inadequate, creating overflow of residents and visitor parking lightly on adjoining neighborhood streets and commercial parking areas.

The proposed approach of maximizing development intensity while minimizing required standards on a site of this limited size is contrary to the public welfare.

It undermines community livability, strain surrounding infrastructure, and fails to adequately address the broader needs and safety of the surrounding community.

District 7 is one of the smallest by land area and the second most populous, making the most densely populated.

These constraints, consideration of alternative approaches, such as locating comparable developments in district with more land capacity, where a larger site could better support the project and provide better opportunities, conveniences, and immediate in amenities for future residences.

Council Miller Alderati Govito has honored the will of our consent to it.

We respectfully ask the city of San Antonio to do the same by withdrawing its support of Nuesta Dieta.

Thank you.

Val Delion.

Followed by Jack Finger and then Jeanette McCart.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

My name is Val de Leon.

I'm the director of development for the Bacino Group, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the resolution of support for Investitata item 32.

I'd first like to give a big thank you to neighborhood and housing staff for the hard work for the past few weeks.

In my opinion, the policy is transparent and staff has been fantastic in its implementation.

While our development has met the city's scoring threshold for what would qualify us for a resolution of support and is appropriately zoned for multifamily, our development is located adjacent to single family homes.

And as you as you've just heard, and we'll probably hear more, there is uh organized opposition to our proposed development.

I had the opportunity to meet with several of these um lost my place here.

Uh several of these homeowners on January 29th, where I was able to answer questions and listen to the concerns of the neighborhood.

Uh through the community engagement process, I was able to leave that meeting with uh clear guidance to give my design team uh to try and address some of the concerns from the neighborhood.

Specifically, we've eliminated most of the exterior green space at the meeting on the 29th that had shown a site plan with the pool, dog park, and children's playground, and the overwhelming feedback that I heard at that meeting was the noise concerns for the adjacent homeowners would be uh an issue.

So fortunately for us, the property is a four-minute walk to the new territories park, which features all of these amenities and then some.

So while I'm never thrilled to reduce uh site amenities, uh we were able to, by eliminating that uh exterior space, stretch the building a little bit more, um, reduce a portion of the building that is closest to those single family homes to two story, and we've oriented all the units on those third and fourth story um facing those adjacent neighbors to to not have any windows facing uh those single family homes in their backyards.

We privacy was a large concern for most of the uh homeowners, and we're doing our best to address those uh comments.

Um the neighborhood engagement uh gave me an opportunity to make improvements to the site plan.

Um, but I do hope that I was successful in kind of my messaging to the um to the neighbors that affordable housing at this location is most likely the most opportunity and chance for residents to have input and collaboration with what's happening in their neighborhood.

Since the property is zoned for multifamily marker rate developer, could come to build up to 90 units and not be required to engage the neighborhood or reach out to council for anything.

So I understand that you all have a tough decision this morning, and that you were elected by your constituents whose voices matter.

So I completely respect that.

You can submit the rest of your comments for the record.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Jack Finger, followed by Jeanette McCarthy.

Madam Mayor, other members of our illustrious San Antonio City Council for the name is Jack M.

Finger, and once again, as I am wont to do, I have to be observing and uh presenting to your for your attention uh something that I an average citizen happen to uncover.

Uh the idea that you're going to place what I call welfare housing.

Um, yes, and we're not talking about just any poor section of town.

We're talking about uh, well, Ms.

Gabito, it's in your your your area of town, District 7, way up on uh Gilbo Road, 9,000 block block of Gilbo Road.

Yeah, um I'm always impressed with persons who are supporting such initiatives like this.

Uh uh they say it'll help people with lower incomes and so forth, but I wonder do they such proponents actually ever actually live in those areas themselves.

Unlike many of the other neighbors who do have to live in those areas.

Yeah, um let's see, just exactly what uh how low is the rent going to be on these things?

Well, or at least for for what persons anyway.

Yeah, sure that if you would if you kind of uh it's a little uh uh faded out there, Mr.

Audiovisual Manager possible to darken it a bit there.

I don't know.

Anyway, households with income at or below 30 percent and 50 percent of the area median income.

Yeah.

And like I say, 9,000 block of Gilbo Road.

Yeah, um I also there is also another question that I've always wondered about in your vetting.

Betting of these people who for lower incomes, just out of curiosity.

I mean, I I think it's a legitimate question.

Is it are the persons going into these uh these apartments giving them the extra uh benefit of a of a lower rental lower rental rate?

Have they ever been vetted as to their citizenship?

Are they American citizens or lack of thereof?

Just a interesting question you may want to ask yourselves on these these uh initiatives.

Thank you.

Jeanette McCart.

Jeanette McCart, okay.

Ma'am, you have three minutes.

Thank you.

I am the president of Brown Station West Association all of 26 days.

We have 1,153 homes directly bar bordering this property on Gilbo.

The residents have collected 919 e-signatures against this uh proposal.

But there's more to it.

Some of the issues that have been addressed, but not all, and these are so important.

This is an overcrowding of this area, which is 2.34 acres.

The limited parking spaces of one and a half spaces per unit, and I don't know what half a car looks like.

They are only, and there are only five handicap parking spaces.

I would have thought that they would have had at least eight.

Um there is no way that they're going to be able to address the increased traffic that it is already heavy on Gilbo.

And finally, but not last, we are continuing with the city to work on the drainage issue that comes from overflow from this property into Old Tesle, Ipswich, and King's Cross.

There are two existing 311 service calls presently that have been filed, but the Department of Public Works says they have to wait until there is sufficient rain in order to assess the problem.

That might be a while.

All of these things cannot be addressed even with the uh uh changes that the property managers have made.

We highly oppose this particular project, but do recognize this is a necessity for our city.

So I ask you to please oppose this project and consider something else that would be put in on that vacant property.

Thank you.

Okay, that was the final speaker from the public.

Is there a motion and a second for approval so we may begin discussion okay?

It is moved in a second to approve item 32.

Is there any discussion?

Councilmember Aldreta Gavito.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh thank you, James and Jeanette, for being here today and making sure your voices and also the voices of your neighbors uh are heard.

You know, I'm supportive of affordable housing, but uh we definitely need to be strategic about where it goes.

Just last week I supported applications for two rehab projects for affordable housing in District 7 that are located in an area that makes sense.

I was also happy to support the Snowden Senior Living Project near the Medical Center, which again is strategically placed located near health care, transportation, and grocery stores.

This project does not meet the same standards as others in District 7.

There are a number of reasons why this location is not an appropriate spot for a project of this size, affordable or not.

This part of Gilbo already sees major traffic throughout the day, so more cars from an apartment complex will only add to that.

This area does not have bus service, so it is not accept accessible to people who rely on VIA.

There have been a number of accidents along that corridor, which raises concerns about safety.

Additionally, this project is planned to be a four-story building that would overlook the backyards of several homes.

This you know, I I often talk about the new homes being built next to me.

You know, I have a pool and two little girls.

It is it is not a comfortable filling with so many people looking into your backyard.

This could result in a loss of privacy for residents already living in in this neighborhood.

Unfortunately, the passage of SB 840 has diminished the limitations of how close structures can be built next to a property line.

As a result, this apartment complex could literally tower over single family homes.

This project would also go against the current uniformity in the area, which is primarily single family residents, not apartments.

The neighborhood is overwhelmingly against this.

There have been three community meetings about this project that have resulted in overwhelming opposition from residents.

I am definitely open and had a conversation with Val earlier this week.

I'm open to identify other areas in District 7 that is more suitable for multifamily housing.

But given these factors listed and the opposite opposition from my residents, I I will be voting against this item today, and I will be writing a letter of opposition to TDHCA.

Thank you.

Is there any other discussion on this item?

Please, Councilman Corps.

We talked about this at PCDC.

And while I can absolutely understand what the councilman is saying in terms of neighborhood opposition, I also just wanted to make sure that we are working with the folks that are willing to do affordable housing to figure out the right compromise and not just saying no right away.

This project, unfortunately, wasn't going to make it this year, so you know, for us to it, this is kind of a moot point.

They wouldn't have made it on the state scoring, so there wouldn't have been funded.

But at the same time, there's a Walmart right next door.

There's a CVS, it's all commercial there right now.

So it's not in like inside the neighborhood.

I understand that there's concerns about height, but I think you can design a project that doesn't actually have patios directly over the backyards.

So I would encourage some collaboration and communication to see what's possible because every time we reject affordable housing, it makes me sad.

And at the end of the day, we have to, as a community, start working together to bring diversity into all of our neighborhoods.

This is a great area with great schools, and our families deserve a space there.

So I would encourage more conversation.

I would encourage us to relook at this site because I actually do from what it when you just look at the map, it actually looks like a space where it's not in the heart of a neighborhood, it's not inside the streets of the residential neighborhood.

It's on a commercial corridor, and there's a church right across the street.

Things that we want folks to be able to walk to are is in that area.

So I would encourage you all to continue that conversation, encourage the developer to see what they can do about altering the layout so that the there are some rooms that don't have balconies or windows on the backsides, but um we've got it, we've got to do this together as a community.

And until every single member of this community starts thinking about the impact of a lack of affordable housing, we're never going to be able to make this change at a long large scale.

Thanks, Mayor.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, just wanted to thank uh the PCDC committee who had a robust conversation, and Dr.

Corn particular that walked us through that matrix.

Uh, one of the questions that we often have, uh, especially in the housing trust, right?

Is there already uh the appropriate zoning to construct?

Uh, can someone on staff share what this property is currently zoned as uh yes, councilwoman, the property is currently zoned C3, um, which with the state the change at the state law allows up to MF33.

So, with that being said, right, I think the conversation here is more about the affordability component than the construction of multifamily housing, because by right, they have the opportunity to construct what this low housing income tax credit would provide is the opportunity for the developer to buy down affordability.

Uh so I just want to assure the the neighbors that you know there there can be multifamily development on this parcel.

Um now the conversation is about the affordability of those rents, but I thank you, Ian.

Um, but I do also share um the opportunity, right?

In some district five projects, we did tier uh the multifamily development where it's two stories, and as you get closer into the uh the property, it goes higher, so that way you're alleviating that concern of folks potentially um looking into backyards, so on and so forth.

Um but uh I appreciate the councilman for advocating on behalf of her constituents.

Um, but uh you know, my shared responsibility is that um it's going to be a city effort to ensure that we meet our housing affordability goals.

Uh and um this is something that I I want to respect the councilwoman, um, but also we did have a robust conversation PCDC, so I'm interested in hearing any other uh comments on this issue.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I just was wondering if city staff could clarify uh the point that council member core made regarding the matrix at the state level as as far as I'm not um so I think what um councilman coor was referring to is based on the pre-applications that have been submitted to the state, um which are subject to change, but based on the way those pre-apps are scoring, this particular project is not currently lined up for an award.

Now, again, that could change projects do fall out.

We see it from time to time.

Um so it's not to say it wouldn't be competitive or get an award, but as it currently stands, they're not slated to receive that tax credit.

Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and I respect and appreciate the councilwoman's view, and this is her district.

And I know some of you came to the planning community development committee and spoke at that meeting as well.

But I just do want to highlight the fact that it it's not missed on me that it is already zone multifamily.

So your ability to negotiate with how the development looks and your proximity and height goes away.

Um so these folks were were willing to do that because they needed a resolution.

The next folks that are gonna come in and maybe buy that property, do not have to do that.

Um so I just want you all to be aware that that negotiation process will no longer be there if somebody else comes in and does a multifamily project.

Um yeah, this did come to Planning Community Development Committee and it passed unanimously.

So I would just you know urge all my colleagues that any time you have a resolution in your own district and you have a concern about it, please let us know as soon as possible.

That way we can discuss it at the committee level uh and avoid this type of decision making process up here.

So thank you.

Councilmember White.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um we talk about housing all the time, and we certainly need more workforce and and affordable housing in all corners of the district.

Um, but uh it has to be in in proper locations.

And just because a project is an affordable project, doesn't mean that we should throw out all the other considerations that we have to look at when we talk about you know where these multifamily projects should be.

I think the councilwoman outlined um some real reasons why this project doesn't fit the proposed location, and it's for those reasons that um I'll be supporting the councilwoman and um and voting against this item.

Thanks.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you.

I'm looking at the um slideshow right now, and I wanted to get a better idea of obviously I don't live in this area.

Um I don't frequent this area.

Um is there an exact address?

Because I'm looking at the same thing, 9,000 Gilbo looks like it is there's Walmart, there's like it is pretty heavy right there, but is there a different um like what part of the the little strip is it?

What part of the strip is this property?

Um I don't know if we have uh aerial view.

Um so it's on the north side.

I don't know if that helps.

I think it's on the intersection of Gilbo and Tesla.

Oh, old tesal.

Are there two tessels?

Oh, I see.

I dislike that for y'all very much.

Um I'm looking at the slideshow uh because again, I wanted to get a better sense.

I hear the concerns that uh the councilman brings up, especially you know, when you have houses in the backyards and you have young kids, um, people being able to look out of their window or look off their balcony into your backyard is very disconcerting and it's uncomfortable when it's a situation that you can't escape from uh once it happens.

Uh and I am also hearing what councilman Mungia uh mentioned, and I'm looking at slide eight right now, and it mentions a few different things that I think we heard.

One was um looking at version one and then version four, which it looks like they're at right now.

Lowered the building height near existing homes from four stories to two stories, removed windows on the third and fourth floors that are facing existing homes, providing it provided additional landscaping near home.

So I imagine that that's can is uh the developer would you are those going to be fully grown trees or are you gonna plant those little baby trees?

So we're open to discussion with those uh adjacent homeowners on kind of uh what exactly they'd like to see.

They are there's already existing kind of mature trees there, so we're willing to like if you want like a like a big fence, we'll look at doing a fence or providing mature trees if we go the fence route.

Uh I did kind of let some of those residents know at that uh meeting on the 27th that they might lose those existing mature trees that are there in that tree canopy.

So we're we're open to both, and you know, we're committed to continuing this conversation uh throughout the process, whether that's more you know, charrettes and things like that.

So you know, I wouldn't be here asking for this resolution if there wasn't a chance to move forward, and you know what that's really all we're I'm asking for this morning is an opportunity to submit and kind of see how we fall in the pecking order for the tax credit program.

Thank you.

Ian, would you mind um as this moves forward?

What role does um say community feedback and buy-in play into its success for the sorry there's a blockage or I'm sorry.

Um does it play a is this basically the last point in which community feedback and buy-in is significant for the purposes of the city's involvement in the project.

Um at this point, they're asking for a resistance.

Does the state what is the does the state weigh buy-in at all?

The state will look at support from the city in terms of a resolution.

Um, of course, you can speak at their board meetings and the board is open to that feedback.

How they weigh that um per project is is kind of based on their discretion.

Um that would be the end of the process if the project was selected.

However, if they needed something additional from the city, um which we already know they don't need zoning, but if they came back, let's say for additional funding, um, then there would be additional opportunities for us to adjust the plan.

Um, but based on what the developer said, he seems to be willing to work with the community going forward um if the project is competitive and they get to that point.

Thank you.

And so I I guess I want to do two things with my vote today.

I I wish I could be supportive of the council member.

I do believe I'm going to be voting yes on this item, but I wanted I want to do two things.

I of course want to support the opportunity for affordable housing.

I believe that this is going to be housing regardless.

And so the second thing is I want to encourage all those who live in the area, those of you who are here today and actively engaged, continue to engage your neighbors, continue to engage with the developer.

I think you can still get a really good deal out of this, and I think any of the concerns that you have aside from maybe traffic or the concerns that you would have with any kind of housing, I think you can get those uh further baked into the final design.

Um I think you have a developer here who this is my first interaction right now in this context, uh, and so it seems like he's willing to work and it looks like they're on version four of design.

If there's any further concerns you have about the design, please please continue to push.

Uh if if it ends up being something that you ultimately can't support, it sounds like there will be opportunities for you to speak at the state level as well.

I know that's a little less convenient than speaking at City Hall, but I know you guys are uh willing to go hard and fight for your community either way.

So I hope you can understand.

Thank you.

Councilman Spears.

Hi, yes, I just uh wanted to say that I fully support Councilwoman Aldretica veto.

I think she knows her district well.

She was elected to represent this district, and she has close community uh relationships, and so I trust her judgment here, and I want to uh say that I'll be pl planning to do that for each of your districts because I think you uniquely understand your own district and what's best.

And um affordable housing does have a place in our community and is needed.

Um but it's gotta make sense.

So I'd completely trust her in this now support her decision.

Thank you.

Councilmember Via Gran.

The opportunity to speak.

Uh I appreciate Councilman um Gavito's uh efforts to represent her community.

I will be in support of the resolution, however, because uh this council and the nation as a whole needs to make a commitment to a housing, and this is going to be housing anyway, as councilman Key Rodriguez uh explained.

We should make it affordable.

We need affordability and workforce abil affordability across the city of San Antonio, and I want to thank the uh developer for coming and giving the um opportunity to share that he is willing to work with the community at large.

I know this isn't um ideal, however, we do need to address and we have been addressing the housing issues, and it is only going to get worse, and so we need to continue to move forward on our ship goals.

So I will be supporting this resolution today because we don't know what's going to happen at the state.

We don't know what's going to come forward.

And we are in uncertain time.

So I want to give every option we have available out there.

So thank you for uh coming today and sharing, but I will be choosing housing first, and uh I will be choosing to support this resolution.

Thank you.

Councilmember Aldar Te Gavito on the second round.

Thank you.

I did just want to quickly highlight um Councilman McKee Rodriguez.

You you talked about community input.

I think what one of the things that we have learned in and throughout this process is is the impacts of Senate Bill 840.

You know, I I understand and I hear and I agree with it.

Many of you all affordable housing is needed in San Antonio.

That's obvious.

We we all know that we need to push and fight for affordable housing.

I do think that we need to see where it makes sense.

Um and there are going to be places that it makes sense, and there are gonna be places it doesn't make sense.

I I did have a conversation with Val um earlier this week.

Um, the developer, thank you, Val, for being here.

Um, and and I'm totally willing to work with them on places in District 7 that this affordable housing project makes sense.

In this in this particular spot, it it doesn't make it doesn't make sense.

But one of the other things I wanted to bring up was was the impacts of Senate Bill 840, you know, that a commercial piece of property can now be used for market rate or affordable housing with very little inputs from council members.

You know, the this used to come to zoning, we used to be able to work with developers and either accept or deny it.

Um and now really the level of influence we have is is a letter of opposition potentially, you know, and so um how much weight that's gonna carry, I'm not sure.

You know, that's gonna go up to the to um um the state level and and we're gonna have to see it from there.

But you know, I think that the uh Senate Bill 840 came into uh play in September.

This is gonna come to all of our districts.

Um we all know our districts the best.

You know, there's gonna be some projects that make sense, there's gonna be other projects that don't.

And so I just want us to be aware, I feel like this is one of the first where Senate Bill 840 is really coming into play, and you're seeing the um the influence of council, uh council members who do get their feedback from residents um shrink a little bit, I think.

And so I I think it's something that we need to take into consideration as we as we move forward for this.

I understand the intent, I understand more affordable housing, but I also think that again, we all know our our districts best and know where affordable housing projects make sense.

And again, with Val, I feel um that they that there is a willingness that we can work and find another place for this.

Thank you.

Councilmember Via Garan.

Thank you.

I just want to caution my council members when they use the term where we think affordability makes sense.

Because we all know that you're talking about the south side and the west side and the east side of San Antonio.

So uh when you come and you're saying it doesn't make sense, provide specific areas in your district where you think it would make sense, and that's where we have to start talking that affordability makes sense across the city of San Antonio, especially in areas that are gonna become uh residential and multifamily because of the Senate bill.

So I just want to caution you all on that because that is we we really want to make sure we're communicating our goals, which our goals were housing and housing affordability, and again, I will stress that if we can take care of our housing goals, I believe we can take care of a lot of our city's ills that we are facing right now.

Thank you.

Is everyone who'd like to speak on this issue?

Okay, council member core and then council member McKee Rodriguez.

Thanks, Mayor.

Um, real quick, Val, do you have this under um control?

Do you have the site under control?

I do have a site control that's uh with the ability to extend through July of this year.

Are you gonna apply again for Light Tech next year if you don't get it for this year?

Uh you know, we're definitely open to coming back and working uh with the neighborhood and with council to to try.

It sounds like if this particular site falls through, most likely it's because of the location.

So we you know be uh happy to work with the uh council member in a another location in the district.

And just to clarify, you mean the location because of the tiebreaker at the state?

Uh well, no, I mean I I like what are you gonna change about your application to make it more competitive for a lie tech at the state?

Well, you know, that's that's kind of the the brev of it.

Like the the site that we have is relatively competitive.

We're in a I think a six-way tie for second place, it comes down to tiebreakers.

We're literally measuring feet from the you know the Walmart, the park, the public schools.

So finding sites that kind of meet all of that criteria and still will make you know you know neighbors happy to have you know affordable housing.

It's it's just it's a lot of people.

So just hoping for a different tiebreaker next year with different exact okay.

Is it 8185 old Tesla?

Is that the actual parcel?

So the since it's vacant, it's kind of hard that doesn't have an exact ads if you were to Google 9401 uh Gilbo Road.

Councilwoman, we have a map if you want us to pull it.

Yeah, I would just I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time pinning it down.

So describe where it is in the U.S.

Uh yeah, so uh as you're looking at here um on Gilbo Road, it's on the north side of the property, kind of between this uh um kind of restaurant, the church's chicken to the left and to the right, the Lapetite Academy.

I see the house.

Yeah, just like that for y'all spot.

Okay.

Um what are the so I see that they lowered the two stories already and you've already removed the windows in the third and fourth floors.

What I was sad to see that you took out the amenities because affordable housing deserves a pool and a dark park.

But um, if that was negotiation, it was negotiation.

What else is there to change that they've asked for that you haven't changed?

Uh well, so you know, some of them are a little more abstract as far as you know, like traffic, you know, um impacts on on crime, you know, those are things that we you know unfortunately don't really have a whole lot of control over.

Um we do feel like by kind of stretching the building out, we're you know, parking at one and a half spaces per unit, which for you know our communities which we you know own and operate uh significant portfolio that's generally enough parking for uh our residents.

Um and lighting is the only other thing that we're just kind of early in the process, but I've committed to kind of dark skylighting, so you know, all the lighting kind of facing down just to not be you know protruding into you know light pollution into neighbors' yards.

Okay.

I am also very torn.

I respect the engagement of the community and the leadership of the council member, but um I will be supporting to vote yes for the resolution.

Uh councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you.

I just want to make sure that I'm 100% clear.

Is it what is it the property zone does right now?

C three.

C three.

You can have a warehouse.

You could have a warehouse, you could have tattoo parlors.

I'm thinking of so it doesn't have it might not be housing.

Let me say unless we think about that.

If somebody else could talk that way, we have a little bit more time before the vote.

Council member McKee Rodriguez.

Oh, oh, I'm sorry, say M Mungia, thank you.

We get confused all the time.

Uh I got you.

So yeah, um yeah, C3 is very intense uh zoning.

Um and can one of you from housing tell us again, and I know it's not your wheels, but what qualifies for C3 zoning?

Anybody know, John Peter?

Uh yeah, councilman, I mean I think uh you've articulated pretty clearly that um there are a number of intense uses that could be possible there.

Um mainly centered around commercial activity.

Um you can see some of it across the street and kind of some of the neighboring pieces, right?

So those could vary from um retail facilities to um intense uses that are allowed in C3 or some business types, right?

Um additionally, I think what was being articulated earlier is with the change in state law, um, it's now available for multifamily properties, both affordable and not affordable by right.

So there's a number of things.

If you have a specific question, I could try to do that.

Yeah, but like car lots, warehouses, I mean what are some examples of C3 uses?

Those are some examples, yeah.

That could be big development on the piece of property, right?

Okay.

And can you pull up the map again?

Thanks, Joan.

So considering that it's next to uh a petite academy and uh a restaurant, and it looks like there's a Stevenson Middle School right here, which is North Size D, I I think that those uses are probably worse uh for the area than that.

And again, I understand I don't represent this area and I I respect that.

Um Senate Bill Eight, yes, it's gonna it's it's gonna hurt all of us in some sort of way.

None of us, I think, wanted that, maybe with the exception of a few.

Uh but with affordable housing, when they come for a resolution or they come for city funding, that means we can negotiate something.

When it's a private market for Senate Bill Eight, there is no negotiation.

They can come in and do whatever.

But when it becomes an affordable housing project and there's funding a tide, then the city can say we want these things, otherwise we wouldn't have that ability.

So I understand that Senator Bill A kind of washes away our input, but it seems like with affordable housing that we still have some ability to make concessions and make things happen.

Um so I you know I understand there's there's the concern about the proximity and people second stories being able to see into yards.

Looks like there's a really nice tree canopy uh in that area, also.

So I would just say that it seems like affordable housing is going to be the saving grace of Senate Bill 8, because we can still put concessions, we can still put setbacks, we can still put uh landscaping requirements that we want to see on top of that.

So again, I think if we don't pursue this, right again, it may not work out the state, I understand that, but it is uh a unique opportunity.

And if this goes away and there is no affordable housing here, it it could be much worse for the neighborhood.

I just want folks to realize it could be worse.

And the councilwoman and the council would have nothing to do at that point to prevent that.

So the fact that this these folks are on their fourth design, uh, you know, no windows above second story, um, some good setbacks.

I think that's that's really good.

And that's that shows their willingness to negotiate.

Again, somebody else comes in there, they're they're not gonna do that.

And there's nothing we can do to stop that.

So I just want to add that to the conversation.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

And looking at the score sheet for this project, uh, in terms of the max points for uh owner developer experience, they received a four out of four max points.

Property manager experience at three out of three max points.

Uh in terms of deeper affordability, 10% of units at 30% of the average median income, 40% at 50% of the average median income.

In terms of amenities, 11 out of 11 max points with electrical car charging, uh, energy saving appliances, fitness center, the proximity to a grocery store, pharmacy, medical center, and park, resident services, and 11 out of 11 max points for resident services, working with the ready-to-work partnership on site, accommodation for special needs, partnerships with local law enforcement, first responders, recreational activities on site, and annual income tax preparation.

Project feasibility and readiness, a six out of six as it has the appropriate uh zoning and site control.

Uh, in terms of targeted reinvestment area, this is where they scored a high eight out of ten.

Uh, it's an in a sense it's in a census track with a poverty rate below 20% access to transportation, it is in a via link zone, and then a five out of five for proximity to jobs located within two miles of 13,500 primary jobs, and then of course a 10 out of 10 for public engagement.

Um, uh again, this is a conversation um that we had in PCDC, and uh I really value the councilwoman's leadership ensuring that she's representing you all well and making sure that your voice is reflected here at City Hall.

So thank you, Councilwoman.

Um, but this is a project that is ultimately good for the city of San Antonio, and I'll be supporting it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Okay.

Um, Councilman McKee Rodriguez, did you want to come back in?

You're okay?

Okay, good.

Okay, thank you.

Um can you bring up that slide?

If Councilwoman Corps brought up some of the um concessions that had already been made.

Um can we bring that up, please?

Slide eight.

Okay.

Um so I think we all have memorized the map at this point.

Um then, as mentioned, it is very close to Stevenson Middle School, um, at which 47% of that student body is economically disadvantaged, which means 47% of those students qualify for free or reduced lunch or some kind of other public assistance.

52% of those students are identified as at risk of dropping out.

And my understanding is that is a Title I school as well.

It's also right within walking distance to child care, which we have also talked about being important in this community as we look at not only affordable housing but quality of life for all folks.

And I am in complete agreement with Councilwoman Core that affordable housing should not mean that you have lesser quality of life.

Why you would remove things like a pool or a dog park or a playground unless you don't want those kinds of kids playing in your area or those kinds of dogs, whatever that means.

It's not clear to me why communities like this would not be as deserving of basic amenities that are important to quality of life.

So I think this makes a lot of sense, as mentioned our commitment to affordable housing in our community.

We've also routinely talked about the importance of affordable housing when it comes to our educators.

So the ability for middle school teachers at Stevenson High School to also live at this community and enjoy some of these amenities, I think is really important.

And I would look forward to working with this council and the councilwoman in particular to make sure that if there isn't a bus stop near that we work to accomplish that.

So I think it's really important.

And while I certainly respect council members' individual opinions and thoughts on what their needs of their district are, I appreciate also the comments of my colleagues that speak to the collective responsibility that we have to address by far the number one affordable issue affordability issue that we continue to hear about, which is uh which is housing.

I can't also, I think it's also important that we not separate this discussion from the discussion that we just had when it came to utilities.

We talked about the importance of understanding density in the context of our utilities as well.

So, you know, when it comes to you know lack of density increases maintenance, etc.

etc.

So this accomplishes several things for our community, um, but first and foremost, a good, frankly, quality of life and and um affordable housing is important in that regard.

So thank you to the staff, thank you to the developer.

Um, it is nice to uh to see a developer come and work um and negotiate.

I wish you didn't have to negotiate on those things because everybody deserves those things as somebody that again benefited from Section 8 housing at one point as well.

I know some of the others on here on this council have also lived in affordable housing at some point, so uh this is a community investment that pays dividends.

So thank you.

Okay.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion as second for approval of item 32.

Please vote.

Aye.

So this would be approving the item.

Yes, okay.

The motion carries.

Okay.

Item 34 was uh pulled by councilmember Memesa Gonzalez for individual consideration.

Madam Clerk, please read the caption.

Item number 34 is an ordinance designating cultural lingua as a community land trust.

Would council member like a staff presentation?

No, thank you, Mayor.

Okay.

We have two, I've got one on here, just um Nadia and Jack, okay.

Uh, we have two individuals from the community that have signed up to speak.

Um Nadia Mavrakis, you have three minutes, followed by Jack Finger.

Good morning.

My name is Nadia Mavrakis.

I'm the co-executive director of Culture Ingua.

We're community and economic development organization that's focused on preserving, promoting, and enhancing the cultural character of San Antonio's Silk Road Cultural Heritage District.

Today, council is being asked to approve an ordinance designating Culturinggua's Silk Road Community Land Trust as a community land trust or CLT per state statute and city policy.

The Silk Road CLT will provide permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income individuals in Northwest San Antonio, and its establishment further citywide goals set out in the strategic housing implementation plan.

I would like to recognize and elevate the voices of the residents of the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District who crafted the Silk Road CLT strategy alongside other members of the Silk Road District Coalition, and who advocated for the establishment of a CLT to support and overcome existing barriers to meaningful wealth building among low and moderate income residents.

It is by working with and shifting power to those most deeply impacted by inequities in this city that we can truly make San Antonio a place for all.

I would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations who have supported this initiative, including but not limited to Tim Barr and the Methodist Health Care Ministries team, Leela Powell and Julia Duranti Martinez, and the Local Initiative Support Corporation team, Pete Alanis and the San Antonio Housing Trust team, Sarah Wamsley and the entire neighborhood and housing services department, the entire team at NALCAB, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, the team at National Capacity, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, many of the current and former council members who have supported and championed this work, including Council Members Core, Castillo, Adarete Gavito, Mesa Gonzalez, Galovan, and former Mayor Ron Nierenberg, Katie Serracos of Asset Funders Network, Jeff Washburn of Burlington Associates, the many organizations across their the country who shared CLT best practices in Austin, Houston, Minneapolis, St.

Paul, and Boston, and the entire Silk Road District Coalition.

We will be celebrating the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District at the inaugural Silk Road District Festival on March 28th from 11 to 3, and I invite you all and the broader community to join us in the celebration.

Thank you.

Madam Mayor, other members of our San Antonio City Council.

One record, my name is Jack M.

Finger, and I was throughout all these discussions, it occurred to me a certain thought.

And you're but in order, but I use it, my definition of that is actually welfare housing because you're you're attracting people who don't have the income to afford so-called regular housing.

But I it occurred to me that you might actually be defeating your purpose of affordable housing by doing these things.

I mean, look at the current situation with college tuition.

The government gives college students all kinds of money for their their tuition.

Keeps raising the amounts every year.

The college administrations seeing this, they raise their tuition rates.

They say, hey, the these students are getting more money.

We can afford to raise their their tuition.

Do you see the same scenario here?

You're by allowing by this item 34 sets the stage for this very thing.

And then you you go ahead and make it easier for these things to happen.

Uh developers seeing these things say, hey, let's buy some more land and we'll more apartment space and we'll raise the apartment rates, knowing that if you, if they the developers apply to you, the city council for uh affordable housing uh initiatives like this, if they that they bring in more poor people to come and reside at these locations.

And that it's uh it's a catch-22.

Yeah, um that's how this is working.

I mean, assuming maybe you want more welfare housing.

Maybe you want more people to be dependent upon the dole.

That's what that's what it sounds like.

I'm sorry to say that.

And and yes, and and I yeah, the um Audible Mayor should show some of those underlined areas there.

What's it on the 34?

What's happening?

Well, is this in district one, six, seven, and eight.

So if you live anywhere in the downtown, near downtown area, or the north near northwest, or the uh far northwest, or are you in the far west part of town?

You are going to be affected by this with you'll be blessed with more and more poor people living next to you, my golly.

Yes, so uh what else like I say once again, we'll reiterate some of the other arguments I made earlier about how this thank you.

That was our final speaker.

Is there a motion and second for approval so that we may begin discussion?

Motion to approve second.

Okay.

It is moved and seconded to approve item 34.

I know two council members would like to speak on this.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, today I'm supporting ordinance, this ordinance designating Culturalingua as a CLT Community Land Trust.

Culturalingua is a community and economic development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, and enhance a cultural character in and around San Antonio's Silk Road Heritage District.

And I'm thrilled to see them expand their services to the community.

Thank you so much to Nadia and Nader for being here today and for all the work that you've done to get us here.

This is a true team effort.

So in December of 2024, the City of San Antonio's Historic and Design Review Commission passed the fourth cultural heritage district in San Antonio, Silk Road, located in District 8 to recognize the many cultures and communities whose roots stem from North and Central Africa to Eastern Asia.

Community land trust community land trusts, excuse me, are nonprofit organizations that are created to ensure lasting affordable homeownership opportunities.

This housing model is used to help stabilize neighborhoods and build wealth for homeowners who may otherwise be unable to buy a home.

CLTs preserve long-term affordability, prevent displacement and gentrification, stabilize neighborhoods, and keep public investment in housing within the community.

A formally recognized CLT strengthens partnership between the city, residents, and nonprofit organizations to advance equitable development.

The Silk Road Community Land Trust is supported by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the San Antonio Area Foundation, and the San Antonio Housing Trust.

Supporting the CLT as part of our strategic housing implementation plan strategy and adopting it will go a long way in demonstrating our continued proactive commitment to long-term affordability and neighborhood stability.

Thank you so much.

Councilmember Alterate Gabito.

Thank you.

I'm so excited about this major milestone for affordable housing.

Um that will also contribute to our ship goals.

I want to express my appreciation for Nadia and Nadir for bringing this to life.

This project is especially important to District 7 for a couple of reasons.

First off, Nadia is a district seven resident, so we're extremely proud of her and her work.

Second, the land trust will encompass almost all of District 7, with just a small exception near near the Deco district.

There are a lot of vacant lots and buildings in District 7 that end up causing health and safety issues.

So the community land trusts are a great tool to address vacant properties while also adding to our affordable housing stock and creating generational wealth for families.

You guys am for affordable housing.

My team and I are happy to work with Culture Inga to identify potential properties in District 7.

I can't wait to see this land trust grow and prosper.

And thank you again to everyone who helped make this happen.

Thank you.

Councilmember Mungia.

If others would like to speak, please sign in.

Thank you.

Well, I'm so excited for y'all today.

Uh I think it's a major moment we saw you at PCDC.

And you know, there might even be a piece of land on Tesla Road available depending on what happens.

Uh old or new Tesla.

Uh, but no, I'm so I'm so happy for y'all.

I want to thank Councilwoman Castillo for being a leader on this and pushing this.

I know it was a ship goal, and and sometimes it takes some uh council action to get it done.

And also proud of Crystal.

We talked about it earlier, but you know, this is um on the western side of San Antonio and and and near West, and this is gonna be a really good product for people.

And I can't think of two better institutions to run this.

I know it's gonna be difficult, but the city's there for you all, so we we appreciate that, and we hope to see some good projects.

Thank you.

Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just wanted to congratulate you all as well just for y'all's continued mission with Culture Wingua and of course the Mexican American Unity Council for that shared vision of providing affordable housing all throughout the city of San Antonio.

Uh, but I also wanted to thank Pete Alanisa, the San Antonio Housing Trust for his work and leadership on ensuring that the board continues to prioritize uh alternative housing models.

But congratulations, this is very exciting.

Thank you, Mayor.

Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to Nadia and Nadir from the and the entire Culture Ingo team as well as from Ock.

Uh, know we're focusing on this particular item, but overall, right?

Community land trust is something that I'm very passionate about.

I know Nadia, we had a conversation back when I was still a council staff member about uh you know what CLTs are, what things are you're planning on doing.

So this has been uh an ongoing process.

I'm excited to be here today and help uh ensure that you get the designation policy and that we go forward on uh expanding affordable housing opportunities throughout our entire city.

Um and in particular, right, we're talking about how we can make uh housing more affordable in our city limits.

This is one of the key tools to do that as cities continue to grow, not only here but across the country.

And so I'm very excited to uh to have you all be some of the leaders in that work uh here locally and happy to be a partner in any step of the way we can make sure this happens.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Councilmember Corps.

Thanks, Mayor.

I wanted to congratulate you all, but also use this as a um signal to a lot of other nonprofits in our community that are exploring growth of this work.

Uh Councilman Castillo has been spearheading this effort for CLTs, and we need more.

I'm excited that we have two that we are approving today, but I just want to say commend you because uh a lot of times we think about what the work that nonprofits do in real estate development doesn't really come to mind, but we need more nonprofits willing to step up.

And so since we're talking about signaling today today, I commend you all for stepping up and taking on this work and thinking about what you can do to help your community.

Thanks, Mayor.

Thank you.

Anyone else would like to speak on this?

Okay.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second for approval of item 34.

Please vote.

The motion carries.

The next item is the uh city manager's report.

Eric, over to you.

Thank you, Mary.

Uh Mayor.

Um, only one item I wanted to this this week's uh employee spotlight video um really highlights our department of resilience and sustainability.

Um you'll see in the video uh an employee by the name of Katie Husaledo.

Um Katie joined the city um uh three years ago and um has been our climate adaptation manager uh in the department.

Um a lot of work in that area in terms of strengthening uh our communication with stakeholders, but also internally to the organization.

So let's roll the video.

Our whole office exemplifies teamwork and innovation because we're really out there seeing what the new emerging best practices are.

One project that our office is responsible for is municipal solar, so that's 42 city properties, whether it's buildings or parking lots, getting solar on them to help reduce emissions.

That's the second largest municipal solar project in the country.

The largest is in New York City.

We've really been a leader on that and showing other cities how they can push something like that forward.

With the Climate Ready Neighborhood Network, we bring together neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith communities from all over the city that are thinking about how to prepare for changing climate impacts that we're experiencing.

So winter storm Uri, extreme heat the last few summers, and then flooding.

And so we've created tools for them to form a pod within their neighborhood, figure out who on their block is maybe more vulnerable or couldn't leave their house in case of a disaster.

You want to know them and you want to build the connections, really just all aspects of community resilience and planning for climate adaptation.

Will you share that at the next network meeting?

San Antonio is doing a lot to become a resilient and sustainable city, but it really takes the work of every resident and every business owner to help us reach those goals.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um so um but based on some feedback from um several of you will coordinate with you.

We're gonna we're gonna adjust the timing of the city managers report uh next week in particular, um, based on last week's conversation, we're gonna do an update um on our on the status of um those uh immigration related items.

We'll do that as part of the city managers report next week.

Uh I'm sorry, in two weeks, uh the beginning of March.

Um but we're gonna move the city manager's report earlier up in the in the agenda where it makes sense, Mayor, and I'll and I'll work with your office to to figure that out.

Thank you.

Thank you, Eric.

It was nice seeing Kate Hasseldo.

That's a nice early birthday gift.

Her father-in-law, Dr.

Hasseldo is turning 100 in April and goes to our church, so I know he'll really appreciate that video.

Um thank you.

Um, I'm gonna take uh council into an exec session.

Um, I'd ask my colleagues to please remain seated while I read uh read this.

The time is now 11 a.m.

on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.

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.

On Thursday, February 19th, and the San Antonio City Council will now reconvene and open session.

No official action was taken in executive session.

The time is now 208, and this meeting is adjourned.