San Antonio City Council Meeting - April 16, 2026

The San Antonio City Council met on April 16, 2026, at 9:13 AM, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones presiding and all council members present. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for Dr. Manuel Berriozábal. Proclamations honored Texas Biomedical Research Institute's 85th anniversary, National Library Week (April 19–25), and Second Chance Month. Points of privilege recognized Donate Life Month, Autism Awareness Month, and outstanding District 6 students. The council approved the consent agenda (items 5–28) with item 19 pulled for individual consideration. After debate, the council approved item 19, amending city codes to regulate detention facilities, over a 10–1 zoning commission denial and opposition from some members.

Ceremonial Recognitions

• Texas Biomedical Research Institute 85th Anniversary: Mayor Jones read a proclamation celebrating 85 years of infectious disease research, including contributions to COVID-19, Ebola, and hepatitis C, and educational programs reaching 16,000 STEM students annually. Dr. Schlesinger, CEO, accepted and highlighted the institute's economic impact.
• National Library Week: Proclamation declared April 19–25, 2026, as National Library Week. Library Director Sukhrid Goswami and Board Chair Jaspreet Kaur noted the library system's 180+ free programs that week and its role as a community anchor. Multiple council members praised libraries and advocated for bond funding.
• Second Chance Month: Councilwoman Castillo introduced a proclamation designating April 2026 as Second Chance Month. Speakers from Unity Recovery, the Bexar County Reentry Center, Toyotetsu Texas, and Chrysalis Ministries shared their work. Toyotetsu reported hiring over 300 justice-impacted individuals since 2018. The proclamation calls for removing barriers to employment and housing.
• Donate Life Month: Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez recognized South Texas Blood and Tissue. James Murphy and Emmanuel Casasola spoke about the impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation.
• Autism Awareness Month: Councilwoman Core recognized Autism Community Network and Any Baby Can. Emerson Quigley, an autistic self-advocate, and staff highlighted services for 3,100 individuals and the importance of early diagnosis (average age 38 months at ACN, vs. national average of 4.5–5 years).
• District 6 Student Achievements: Councilman Galvan honored Adrian Jimenez (2nd year Fiesta Medal designer), Jacob Bujosa (River Parade cover contest winner), and Evelina Algiji (runner-up), all from Rob Elementary.

City Manager's Report

• Public Art Ordinance 30th Anniversary: San Antonio was one of the first Texas cities with a comprehensive public art program (1996). A commemorative Fiesta Medal is available.
• Animal Care Services (ACS): Over the weekend, ACS held "Paw Changaa" adoption fiesta, resulting in 213 adoptions with 200+ volunteers. ACS appreciation week noted a 94.3% critical call response rate and an 89.5% live release rate.

Consent Calendar

Items 5–28 were considered as a group. Councilwoman White pulled item 19 for individual consideration. Item 20 was corrected to note Nick Cannon's withdrawal. The balance of the consent agenda was approved on a motion. Highlights noted:

• Item 10: Peggy Drive drainage project in District 2.
• Items 20A and 20B: Appointments to the Airport Advisory Commission.
• Item 9: Culebra Park area street repairs in District 7.
• Item 28: Affordable housing awards, including 47 Habitat for Humanity homes (Rancho Verano) and Esperanza Community Land Trust’s historic West Side projects.
• Item 7: Cassiano Park improvements with a $1.5 million Texas Parks and Wildlife grant.
• Items 6 and 8: Drainage projects in District 9 (Oakhaven/Kentwood and Evans Road).
• Item 15: Airport lease with Texas Air Museum.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Agenda (Item 28): Antonio Diaz expressed concerns about affordable housing funds and called for more transparency. He also opposed the detention facility ordinance (item 19). Diana Flores Uriegas ceded time. Renée Gonzalez, General Manager of Esperanza Community Land Trust, supported the NHSD recommendation for funding, emphasizing the need for housing for those at 30% AMI and preserving the historic West Side. Michael Taylor, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, requested approval for 47 affordable homes in Rancho Verano, noting the city’s funds leverage millions in donations. Jack Finger criticized campaign contributions from contractors and labeled affordable housing "welfare housing."
• On Item 19 (Detention Facilities Ordinance): Sarah Cruz (ACLU of Texas) urged support, citing unsafe conditions at the East Montana facility. Antonio Diaz and Diana Flores Uriegas supported the ordinance as a minimal step to protect detainees. Jack Finger opposed, calling it a political maneuver to block the federal detention center and accusing the council of hiding intentions behind building codes.

Discussion Items

Item 19: Amendments to Building, Fire, and Development Codes to Regulate Detention Facilities

• Staff Presentation: Liz (City Attorney) clarified the ordinance recognizes federal supremacy and is within the city’s purview. It requires notification for private detention facilities, creates specific use authorization, and prohibits facilities within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, churches, and residential areas.
• Council Debate:
  • Councilman White opposed, arguing the ordinance is a political statement with no effect on the existing federal facility, a waste of taxpayer resources, and an overreach. He noted the zoning commission voted 10–1 to deny, and academics journals cited are not evidence of economic harm.
  • Councilwoman Spears echoed concerns about legal unsoundness, potential state retaliation (citing Houston), and inconsistency. She said the ordinance misrepresents local authority.
  • Councilman McKee Rodriguez (lead sponsor) defended the ordinance, stating it is a simple zoning update to require notification and standards. He cited the potential for private detention operators to target San Antonio (e.g., Vision Quest in 2019).
  • Councilwoman Viagran supported, emphasizing that land use and zoning are core city responsibilities. She said the ordinance aligns with community feedback and protects neighborhoods from inappropriate facilities.
  • Councilwoman Mungia noted that the federal facility will house 500–1,500 people and that her constituents are more concerned about safety than immigration. She argued the ordinance does no harm and gives council the option to deny rezoning.
  • Councilwoman Alderete Gavito supported, citing that 12.7% of San Antonio’s population is immigrant, and detention facilities harm communities.
  • Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez supported as a proactive step for accountability and transparency.
  • Councilwoman Castillo supported, noting the city owns the lane on building and zoning codes.
  • Councilwoman Core urged focusing on merits, not city staff time.
  • Councilman Galvan supported and questioned the dismissal of academic research.
  • Mayor Jones noted letters of support from Brooks (Leo Gomez) and SAGE (James Norty) and emphasized the ordinance protects property tax values.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (items 5–28 except item 19) on a motion with a second. No vote tally recorded.
• Item 19 (Detention Facilities Ordinance) Approved on a motion with a second. The motion carried; specific vote tally not provided in transcript. The ordinance amends Chapters 6, 10, 11, and 35 of the City Code to regulate construction or operation of detention facilities, including notification, specific use authorization, and setback requirements.
• City Manager’s Report noted for information; no action required.
• Proclamations and Recognitions adopted by acclamation.
• Points of Privilege acknowledged; no formal votes.