San Antonio City Council Meeting - February 19, 2026

The San Antonio City Council met on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:08 AM to discuss a range of items including consent agenda approvals, public comments, a resolution supporting affordable housing tax credits, and designation of community land trusts. The meeting included proclamations, committee reports, and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the city council meetings of February 4th and 5th.
• Proclamation for the 31st annual Basurabash River Cleanup on March 7, 2026, recognizing River Aid San Antonio's efforts; over 1,900 volunteers collect and sort over 27 tons of trash annually.
• Recognized Unite Here Local 23 for securing a three-year contract for hotel workers, including a $20/hour minimum wage for back-of-house workers, reduced workload, reduced insurance costs, Juneteenth as a paid holiday, and successorship language.
• Mayor Jones thanked SAPD and the fusion center for arresting an individual who made a threat against her life.
• Approved items 4-35 on consent agenda, with items 9, 32, and 34 pulled for individual consideration.
• Highlights of consent items included:
  • Item 4: Rehab for city tower elevators.
  • Item 5: $6.3 million for design of a raised intersection at Rittiman Road and Gibbs Sprawl, funded by $4.8 million federal grant.
  • Items 8, 33, 13-14, 15, 20, 28, and 21-23: Various appointments and grants.
  • Item 15: $2 million grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for Woodlawn Lake Park improvements, totaling $6.5 million investment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Finger spoke against items 32 and 34, arguing that community land trusts and affordable housing projects constitute "welfare housing" and price controls, and questioned citizenship vetting of residents.
• James Stopper and Jeanette McCart (president of Brown Station West Association) opposed item 32 (Neuesto Triera development) due to concerns about traffic, safety, loss of privacy, noise, light pollution, reduced property values, and inadequate parking (1.5 spaces per unit). McCart noted 919 e-signatures against the project.
• Val de Leon (director of development for Bacino Group) supported item 32, highlighting community engagement, design changes (lowering building height to two stories near homes, removing windows on upper floors facing neighbors), and willingness to continue dialogue.
• Nadia Mavrakis (co-executive director of Cultura Lingua) supported item 34, describing the Silk Road Community Land Trust as a means to provide permanently affordable homeownership to low- and moderate-income individuals.
• Reverend Deborah D. Seward delivered the invocation.
• Ansel Joy Macaulay performed a song.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (CPS Energy eminent domain): Councilmember Galvan moved to authorize condemnation for 17 permanent electric transmission easements and two temporary construction easements for the Ranch Town to Tally Road Transmission Project. No public speakers; approved.
• Item 32 (Resolution of support for affordable housing tax credits): Councilmember Aldrete Gavito initially opposed the Neuesto Triera development at 9600 Gilbo Road, citing traffic, lack of bus service, safety concerns, and loss of privacy for adjacent homes. Councilmember Corr and others noted the property is already zoned C3 (commercial) and by right allows multifamily development, arguing that affordable housing provides negotiation leverage. Councilmember Castillo detailed the project's high state scoring (e.g., 4/4 for developer experience, 11/11 for amenities, 11/11 for resident services). After debate, the resolution passed (vote tally not specified but motion carried).
• Item 34 (Designation of Cultura Lingua as community land trust): Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez and Aldrete Gavito spoke in support, noting the CLT will serve the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District in Northwest San Antonio (Districts 1, 6, 7, 8). The trust aims to prevent displacement and build generational wealth. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved except items 9, 32, and 34 (later approved individually).
• Item 9: Approved (authorizing eminent domain for CPS Energy transmission project).
• Item 32: Approved (resolution supporting 9% housing tax credits for Neuesto Triera, a 65-unit affordable housing development).
• Item 34: Approved (ordinance designating Cultura Lingua as a community land trust).
• City Manager Eric announced that an update on immigration-related items will be provided at the city manager's report in two weeks (early March).
• Executive session held at 11 AM to discuss economic development negotiations, real property, and legal issues; no action taken.
• Meeting adjourned at 2:08 PM.