San Antonio City Council Regular Meeting – April 9, 2026

The San Antonio City Council met on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 9:07 AM, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones presiding and all council members present. The meeting concluded at 11:43 AM. It featured six Fiesta proclamations, a city manager’s report on immigration enforcement protections, a consent agenda with multiple approvals, and a contested public hearing and vote on a $5 entry fee for Fiesta de los Reyes at Market Square.

Proclamations & Fiesta Celebrations

• Mayor Jones read proclamations for the 2026 Fiesta season (April 16–26), King Antonio (Gardner MPV), Rey Feo (Dr. Damoso “Danny” Oliva Jr.), A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA, April 21–24), Battle of Flowers Parade (April 24), and Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade (April 25). Each organization’s representative spoke, highlighting charitable missions, scholarships, and economic impact (e.g., Fiesta generates over $400 million in tax revenue; Texas Cavaliers have given $25 million to children’s charities; NIOSA has generated over $5 million for the city). Council members shared personal Fiesta experiences and emphasized volunteerism and community service.

City Manager’s Report – Immigration Enforcement Updates

• City Manager Maria Villagómez provided an update on resolutions approved February 12, 2026, regarding protections for San Antonio residents against ICE activities. Key actions in progress include: training for city staff on response protocols when ICE enters city facilities; proposed Unified Development Code changes to regulate private for‑profit detention facilities (posted for April 16 agenda); a reporting mechanism for alleged rights violations (expected completion by April 15, though the city cannot act on those reports); exploration of a justice fund for legal services (to be discussed in FY27 budget process); public signage informing residents of their rights (evaluation by April 15); and procurement actions for five items to be presented to the Economic Workforce Development Committee in May. Mayor Jones noted she sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mullen opposing an ICE processing facility on the east side and stated the city has yet to receive any formal communication from DHS regarding the proposed facility.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (items 4–20) minus item 17 by voice vote. Highlights included: item 7 – lease agreement with San Antonio Tennis Association for McFarland Tennis Center (the largest public tennis center in Southwest Texas); item 8 – temporary street closures for Fiesta and celebration of the full opening of South Alamo; item 9 – acceptance of a $12.5 million FAA grant for the new terminal at San Antonio International Airport, bringing total federal funding for the program to $91.5 million (terminal opening anticipated Q2 2028); item 20 – ordinance designating Loop 1604 as David G. Evans Memorial Highway to honor fallen SAPD Officer David G. Evans (37 years of service, died from injuries sustained in a 2022 shooting); items 14-15 – reappointment and appointment to the Building and Standards Board.

Public Comments on Item 17

• Thelma Gonzalez (business owner, 35 years at Farmers Market Plaza): Opposed the $5 fee, stating Market Square has always been a free public space and the fee would fundamentally change its nature. She noted 54 tenants and over 100 local businesses in the area.
• Yvette Ramirez (President, Farmers Market Plaza Association): Expressed concerns about lack of transparency, citing a February 25 meeting where they were told the fee was a “done deal.” Argued the fee restricts access to public space and called the process unjustifiable if buried in the consent agenda.
• Veronica Sandoval: Continued, noting the organization has not submitted a map for expanded alcohol sales to TABC. Called the fee a dangerous precedent for privatizing public space and said Market Square belongs to the people.
• Reverend Sylvia Vasquez: Opposed the fee, recalling her father never paid entry fees for Fiesta. Noted the economic burden on low-income families and asked the council to keep the event accessible.
• Roman Pena (Nick Pena) (retired merchant, 50 years at Mercado): Warned against charging, referencing a past city council decision to keep the event free. Mentioned concerns about the proposed ICE detention center and urged the council to protect the “people’s place.”
• Elaine de los Santos (Interim Executive Director, Rey Feo Consejo Education Foundation): Supported the fee. Explained that security enhancements after a debrief following Fiesta 2025 led to a $143,000 loss for the nonprofit. Outlined free hours (weekdays before 6 PM, weekends before 1 PM) and free admission for children 12 and under.
• Henry Rodriguez (LULEC Concilio Zapatista): Opposed the fee, stating it targets low-income residents. Cited a racist comment about keeping “riffraff out” and asked the council to be heroes for the people.
• Frank Garza (former chair of Fiesta de los Reyes): Supported the fee. Noted that security improvements were well-received, that 50% of all event revenue goes to the city, and that the fee is limited to certain hours. He asked for support to continue scholarships.

Discussion on Item 17 – Fiesta de los Reyes Entry Fee

• Councilmember Galvan pulled the item for individual consideration. Staff presentation by Shannon Miller (Chief Downtown Officer): The amendment allows a $5 gate fee during peak hours (after 6 PM weekdays, after 1 PM weekends) for Fiesta de los Reyes at Market Square (April 17–26). Children 12 and under are free. The fee offsets about $140,000 in private security costs for perimeter fencing and screening. The city spends approximately $730,000 on SAPD security for the event (up from $690,000 last year) and nets a loss of about $548,000 after receiving $190,000 in revenue from the event. Under the contract, the city receives 50% of net revenue and beverage surcharges. The Consejo organization grosses about $1 million and nets around $85,000 for scholarships. The $5 fee is expected to generate about $400,000; the Consejo would retain the first $250,000 to cover ticketing and security, and the city would receive 25% of anything above that (estimated $37,500).
• Council debate: Councilmember Corr acknowledged the security necessity but expressed hope for a pilot program and suggested offering free tickets for low-income families. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez opposed the fee, calling it a slippery slope and pointing to racist and classist comments suggesting the fee would keep “undesirables” out. He argued the event should remain barrier‑free and suggested the city find other ways to fund security. Councilmember Castillo expressed concern about the impact on vendors and cautioned against linking a fee to crime prevention. Councilmember Mungia supported the item but said the process was poor and called for a budget discussion to potentially subsidize the event in the future. Councilmember Viagran supported, offering to help District 3 residents afford the fee, but argued against underwriting security for only this event when other neighborhoods also lack resources. Councilmember Galvan emphasized that public safety is paramount but that the council should have been more involved in the decision.
• Staff confirmed that if the fee were not approved, the private security and scholarships would still be provided, but the Consejo would operate at a loss again.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (minus item 17) by voice vote.
• Item 17 approved (motion carried by voice vote; no roll call recorded). The ordinance amending the agreement with Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation to allow a $5 gate fee during specified peak hours, with free admission for children 12 and under and during daytime hours on weekdays and weekend mornings, was adopted. The city will share in revenue above $250,000 (25% to city, estimated $37,500).
• City manager’s report noted ongoing progress on ICE protections; code changes to be considered at the April 16 council meeting.
• Next council meeting scheduled for April 16, 2026.