San Antonio City Council Meeting - April 2, 2026

On April 2, 2026, the San Antonio City Council convened at 9:05 a.m. and addressed a wide range of topics including proclamations for National Public Health Week, Fair Housing Month, and National Poetry Month; public comments on consent agenda items; and individual items on Bitcoin fraud, police hiring, planning commission appointments, and a proposed voter participation commission. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, staff presentations, and council debate.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the consent agenda (items 8–28) except item 23, which was pulled for individual consideration. Highlights included:
  • Item 19: Reappointment of Monica Civino to the Historic and Design Review Commission.
  • Item 25: Agreement with San Antonio Area Foundation for small grants to community-based organizations addressing food insecurity, prenatal care, mental/behavioral health, and housing services.
  • Item 26: Amendment with UT Health Science Center adding $135,000 (total $295,910) from Medicaid 1115 waiver for no-cost diagnostic and preventative dental care for children, serving over 17,000 children annually.
  • Item 9: Funding for Class and Stooping Park improvements (Mitchell's Landing inclusive playground).
  • Item 15: TCEQ grant for local air monitoring.
  • Item 20: Agreement with Bissell Pet Foundation for spay/neuter services.
  • Item 8: Eisenhower Northwood Devonshire Phase I drainage project funded by 2022 bond.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Herschel Boyd (on consent agenda item 12): Expressed opposition to the city's use of eminent domain, stating the process was wrong and that Via's acquisition of a specific lot and building was conducted behind closed doors. He noted that he could not attend Wednesday public comment due to a night class.
• Jack Finger (on consent agenda items 21, 22): Questioned whether city employees (police officer, garbage truck driver) causing accidents resulting in settlements ($147,000 and $135,000 respectively) are ever reprimanded, and asked for a public policy statement.
• Ananda Thomas (on item 6): Opposed the resolution to hire 65 additional police officers, citing that SAPD overspent overtime budget three years in a row (FY24 spent $34.4 million against $17.8 million budgeted), argued that more officers do not reduce overtime, and called for an audit of SAPD before budget season. She noted crime is down 13% overall and homicides down 17%.
• Bianca Maldonado (on item 6): Supported hiring 65 officers, representing Monticello Park Neighborhood Association. She cited poor response times (15 minutes to 2.5 hours, sometimes no response), examples of violent crimes in her neighborhood, and stated the community passed a resolution unanimously supporting the hire.
• Jack Finger (on item 6): Noted that crime reports show crime is down (property crime -18%, vehicle theft -26%, vandalism -30%) and questioned why more officers are needed now, suggesting underreporting of crimes.
• Jack Finger (on item 23): Questioned whether the push for increased voter turnout would occur if there were no conservative or Republican elected officials in the city, and referenced the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Discussion Items

• Item 5: Briefing on Proposed Ordinance to Address Jury Service Fraud and Other Scams Using Bitcoin Kiosks/ATMs

  • Presented by SAPD Assistant Chief Jesse Solomon and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Sheriff Salazar highlighted a joint effort to combat scams where victims are tricked into depositing money into Bitcoin kiosks under false pretenses (e.g., missed jury duty, loved one in jail). SAPD identified 625 reports using keyword search, with 534 criminal cases spread across 53 crime categories. Losses ranged from under $50,000 to multimillion-dollar cases. Nationally, FBI reported $16 billion in losses in 2025, a 33% increase. In San Antonio, 193 kiosk locations were identified, with the highest concentrations in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5. Staff recommended expanding the ordinance beyond jury duty scams to include all scams, a public awareness campaign, enforcement strategy, and coordination with federal partners. The item was referred to the Public Safety Committee on April 21 for further discussion and a potential ordinance in May.
  • Council members expressed support: Councilmember Castillo noted that 50% of victims were 56 and older, and that AARP supports the ordinance. Councilmember Alderete Gavito asked about mapping kiosks and suggested considering zoning/land use changes and expanding SAPD's financial crimes unit. Councilmember Viagran emphasized the need for community education and certified payment methods. Councilmember White supported mandatory signage and bilingual campaign. Councilmember Spears highlighted a District 9 resident who lost $2,500. Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez suggested using neighborhood newsletters and mall postings. Mayor Jones noted the urgency due to federal attacks on voting rights.

• Item 6: Resolution Affirming Council Support for Hiring 65 Officers in FY2027

  • Councilmember White introduced the resolution, citing the 2023 Weiss Consulting staffing study that recommended 360 new officers over 3–5 years to achieve a 60% proactive/40% reactive patrol ratio. He noted that in FY2024 only 40 officers were funded, and that Chief McManus stated that reaching the 60/40 ratio would make San Antonians safer. Data from UTSA showed crime is significantly lower in high-crime areas with visible police presence. Councilmember Viagran moved to continue the item to the first Public Safety Committee meeting in May for further review. After debate, the motion to continue carried. Council members who spoke: Councilmember McKee Rodriguez supported the continuance but noted the need to address overtime; Councilmember Spears said public safety is the top priority and residents feel less safe; Councilmember Castillo said violence interrupters also need funding; Mayor Jones noted the fiscal deficit and the need for a holistic budget approach, supporting the continuance to allow full information. Eric, City Manager, clarified that the phrase "government malpractice" was not appropriate.

• Item 23: Ordinance Creating the Mayor's Commission on Voting

  • Mayor Jones introduced the ordinance to establish a commission to identify ways to increase voter participation, citing federal attacks on voting rights (SAVE Act, executive order on state registrars). The draft ordinance called for 3 mayoral appointees and 1 from each council district, with a report due by July 4, 2026, including at least 5 implementable recommendations. The commission would meet at least monthly until the report, then biannually. Councilmember Viagran moved to continue to the next B session in April or May to clarify scope, timeline, and appointment structure. Councilmember Mungia expressed frustration that items keep being postponed, but supported the continuance for further input. Councilmember White wanted to avoid redundancy and defined scope. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez opposed the continuance, arguing the scope and timeline were clear. Councilmember Galvan supported continuance to refine collaboration with county elections. The motion to continue carried. Councilmember Via Gran noted concerns about scope creep and pseudo-government committees.

• Item 7: Interviews for Planning Commission

  • City Clerk Debbie Rocha-Sitter presented: 39 applicants, 32 eligible, 4 at-large seats open for unexpired terms through October 6, 2027. Seven candidates were interviewed in person: Kevin Cooper, Chad Denny, Antonio Fritzi, Brian Lopez, Naomi Miller, Wendolyn Miller, Barbara Wallerstedt. Two provided written statements. After executive session, council appointed four: Kevin Cooper, Brian Allen Lopez, Naomi Miller, and Barbara Wallerstedt. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez urged the appointees to protect residents from displacement and inconsistent development patterns.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (items 8–28) except item 23, which was pulled. All consent items were approved unanimously.
• Item 5 (Bitcoin Fraud Ordinance): Referred to the Public Safety Committee on April 21, 2026, for further study and potential ordinance in May. Staff will expand scope beyond jury duty scams to include all crypto scams, develop a bilingual awareness campaign, and work on legislative efforts at state and federal levels.
• Item 6 (Police Hiring Resolution): Continued to the first Public Safety Committee meeting in May 2026 for further deliberation. The resolution affirms support for hiring 65 officers in FY2027 consistent with the Weiss consulting staffing recommendations.
• Item 7 (Planning Commission Appointments): Four appointees (Kevin Cooper, Brian Allen Lopez, Naomi Miller, Barbara Wallerstedt) were approved for the unexpired term ending October 6, 2027.
• Item 23 (Mayor's Commission on Voting): Continued to the next available B session in April or May 2026. The council will work on refining the scope, timeline, and appointment structure before bringing it back for a vote.
• City Manager's Report: City received its eighth consecutive year of no audit findings on FY2025 financial statements. An emergency alert test was conducted statewide. A spotlight video featured James Simudio, a river maintenance supervisor.
• Proclamations: April 6–12, 2026 designated as National Public Health Week; April 2026 as Fair Housing Month; and April 2026 as National Poetry Month.