The San Antonio City Council met on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 9:13 AM to 1:58 PM. The meeting included proclamations for Women's History Month, National Nutrition Month, and Social Work Week, recognitions of former councilwoman Maria Antoinette Berizoval and the late Colonel Gil Coronado, a city manager's report on federal immigration activities, and votes on several resolutions and ordinances. The council approved a resolution directing staff to evaluate code changes for detention facilities, adopted the Code Enforcement Strategic Plan, and approved the Greater SATX Regional Economic Partnership services agreement.
Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez reported on actions taken following the February 12 resolution regarding federal immigration enforcement. Highlights:
Items 6 through 46 were approved together, minus items 33 and 34 which were pulled for individual consideration. Highlights from councilmember comments on consent items:
Item 5 – Resolution for Code Changes on Detention Facilities The council considered a resolution directing staff to evaluate Unified Development Code (UDC) amendments for detention facilities. Options presented included creating a new zoning district, requiring specific use authorization, or establishing buffer requirements. Staff recommended an expedited process (45 days) over a standard process (5 months) and explained that a moratorium would be limited to 180 days and take longer to implement. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez moved to amend the resolution to also initiate a moratorium process in parallel. After debate, the amendment passed (vote not recorded by voice but carried). The amended resolution then passed. Councilmembers expressing support: McKee Rodriguez, Viagran, Mungia, Castillo, Mesa Gonzalez, and Corps. Opposition: Councilmembers Spears and White, who argued the resolution was vague, ineffective, and could set a dangerous precedent for local immigration policy. Councilmember White noted it would not affect federal facilities. Councilmember Spears raised concerns about discriminatory zoning and legal defensibility.
Item 33 – Code Enforcement Strategic Plan The council approved the strategic plan for code enforcement. Councilmember Corps expressed concerns about vague metrics and resource allocation. Councilmember Mungia highlighted the importance of community input and proactive vs. reactive enforcement. Councilmember Viagran called for additional weekend and evening officers. Deputy City Manager Villagomez confirmed that 2025 would serve as a baseline for metrics, with quarterly reports to the Public Safety Committee. The plan was approved.
Item 34 – Greater SATX Regional Economic Partnership Agreement The council approved a one-year services agreement (with two one-year renewal options) for up to $759,250 annually. The contract includes a base amount for deliverables and a performance-based component of $150,000 tied to jobs paying over $100,000 (capped at 306 jobs; $500 per job). Councilmember Corps questioned the base amount and the attestation process for job creation. Economic Development Director Brenda Hicks-Ons explained that companies will now sign an attestation form confirming that Greater SATX assistance led to job creation. Councilmembers expressed support for the partnership, noting the importance of wage growth and educational attainment goals. The agreement was approved.
I'm hearing his voice. Telling me okay. Like of the noise. Only still. Telling you how it's going to be okay. Believe in spirit. Believe in his source. I see what's still. I'm hearing his voice. Telling me I am. But as persons kept escuchar esta junta in Spanish, al Fondo de la Sala del Concilio de la Ciudad para receber assistencia. Também pueden sintonizar la transmission de las Juntas del Concilio completamente in Spaniol, usando el sistema SAP através de los canales que ve in pantalla. Good morning, good morning. The time is now 9 13 AM on March 5th, 2026, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is now called to order. Madam Clerk, please call roll. Councilmember Corps. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez. Present. Councilmember Villa Gran. Here. Councilmember Mungia. Present. Councilmember Castillo. Councilmember Galván. Councilmember Alarete Gavito. Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez. Present. Councilmember Spears. Here. Councilmember White. Here. Mayor Jones. Here. Mayor, we have Corn. Great. Thank you. Councilmember Via Gran is recognized. Introduce today's doctor. Thank you. Pastor Ronnie Hernandez was born and raised on the South Side of San Antonio, the youngest of four sons in a family deeply devoted to Christian ministry. As a son of a local pastor, he was nurtured in the life of the church from an early age and grew up witnessing firsthand the transformative power of faith, service, and community. While he sensed a call to ministry in his youth, like many who come to the age amid the challenges of inner city life, his journey included seasons of hardship and difficult choices that led him away from both his faith and the path he once envisioned. Married at 17, Pastor Hernandez entered adulthood with significant responsibility. In his mid-twenties, during a period of incarceration within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, he experienced a profound spiritual renewal through prayer, repentance, and deep study of scripture, he recommitted his life to service and began ministering to fellow inmates, preaching, teaching, and encouraging others to embrace faith and a new beginning. What could have been the end of his story instead became the turning point to refined his calling. Following his release in 2009, Pastor Hernandez returned home with a renewed purpose to extend hope, accountability, and opportunity to others seeking a second chance. Under their leadership, the ministry continues to serve as a place of faith, restoration, and community renewal on the South Side. Pastor Ronnie Hernandez has also worked to create practical pathways of transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pastor Hernandez and Belinda have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of four daughters. Together they continue their work of restoring lives, strengthening families, and extending the olive branch of hope, proving that with faith, perseverance, and community, a second chance can become a powerful force for good.