So San Antonio with the rhythm here we go and somehow in the beat drop so everybody let's go let's go let's go on a meet again again.sa.gov diagonal TV S-A.

Good morning.

The time is now 9 01 a.m.

on May 14th, 2026, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is called to order.

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Councilmember Corps.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Councilmember Villagran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Gabon.

Here.

Councilmember Andarenda Gavito.

Here.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Councilmember Spears.

Here.

Councilmember White.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Mayor we have quorum.

Great.

Thank you.

Quiet in the chambers, please.

We're gonna get started.

Councilman White, you recognize to introduce today's invocator wherever you are.

Thank you, Mayor.

It's my honor uh today to introduce Pastor Neldo Schmidt who was born in Santa Rosa in Brazil on February 15, 1960.

He's married uh to his wife Lori Smith, and they have two daughters.

Um sorry, a daughter, Vanessa, and a son, Philip.

Uh following his years in elementary school at St.

Matthew Lutheran School in Santa Rosa, he graduated from Colegio Concordia in Santa Rosa in 1978.

One year later, Pastor Schmidt entered Concordia Seminary in Porto Alegre, graduating in December of 1983.

Pastor Schmidt has served uh in the IELB, the Brazilian Partner Church of the Lutheran Church, from February 1984 until August of 1993.

In December 1994, he began serving at the Concordia Lutheran Church in St.

Paul, Minnesota.

He was elected circuit counselor for the Lindell East Circuit of the Minnesota South District in 2003 and 2006.

And in October of 2006, he accepted the call to serve at St.

John Lutheran Church in Woodbury, Minnesota, and then in 2017 came here to the King's Lutheran Church in San Antonio.

So Pastor Schmidt, it's our honor uh to have you here today.

It's my honor to be with you this morning.

Uh let us focus on a word from the Lord God recorded in 1st Peter chapter 3, verse 15.

Here is what the Lord God says.

But in your hearts, honor Christ, the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense of anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

You may not be seated.

We will rise later for prayer and pledge of allegiance.

Dear mayor, city councils, members, thank you so much for the opportunity.

I bring to you greetings from our congregation, King of King's Lutheran Church, affiliated with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

It is indeed an honor to address you today.

Hero Onoda was a Japanese soldier who fought the war, World War II, 29 years after it was over.

He couldn't believe the flyers, the letters that family members sent him to the island in the Philippines where he was still fighting, thinking that the war was still going on.

It was over.

When he finally received someone from Japan that came and actually communicated to him that the war was over, then he finally returned.

He actually came to Brazil to the state of Mato Grosso.

He had a nice farm there and returned to Japan before he died.

Question.

What would lead a man to such an extreme commitment and not believe the message?

To serve his country, to serve the emperor of Japan, to that kind of sacrifice.

I believe that leads all of us to question the motive for why we are serving.

And I have to start with myself.

Why am I serving Christ?

Why am I serving a congregation in this community?

And perhaps, of course, let's extend that self-examination to all of you, starting with mayor, city council members, and why not all you in the audience?

Why are you serving in the roles that you are serving?

Is it commitment for the community, for the nation, for the state?

Is it commitment to a certain ideology?

Is it commitment because of personal gain?

Let's be very honest and let's be very blunt about this.

We as pastors face the temptation to do this for personal gain.

And I am very much afraid that you as council members, if you are not facing those same temptations challenging you, your motives, why you are serving.

Well, the truth is, brothers and sisters, now I'm speaking at our own level.

We will never be perfect.

None of us is, okay.

The people that vote for you might not always realize that, that you are not perfect.

We are not perfect.

Christ is Christ served unto death.

He was not ashamed to hang and die on a cross only for one big reason.

That you would have eternity with him in heaven.

Now that's a king.

That's not just an emperor that we are called to serve.

You see, Peter, the Apostle Peter, when he wrote these words, said, in your heart set apart Christ as Lord.

Who was the emperor?

Who was the leader?

Nero.

The Roman Emperor Nero.

And Peter said, You honor the emperor, but you don't call him Lord in the Greek word Kyrios, because Kyrios, Lord, is only Christ.

The only Lord who is capable to really give a forgiveness of sins that counts before a holy, holy God.

And that forgiveness is yours.

That's called the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's very interesting the relationship that we have and we teach in our synod, in our denomination, about how we are to respect those whom God placed in authority over us.

I think you should be interested in knowing what we teach about you in our denomination.

Based on the word of God, Romans chapter 13 and other Bible passages, we instruct our young, our children, in our confirmation classes in our Sunday school, that we ought to respect and honor those placed in authority over us.

You will not be surprised if you would go and watch our worship services from King of Kings Lutheran Church San Antonio that we constantly pray for you.

Why is that?

There is a level that is above political partisan.

That level is where God placed you in this office, and it is our holy sacred duty to honor you, respect you, and more importantly, to pray for you, that God would give you wisdom, that God would give you that kind of integrity that our congregation, that congregation, our community expects from you.

In our denomination, when Christians place themselves properly under a God that is Lord, curious above everything and all, what happens?

There is no conflict actually between church and state.

And the jails are pretty much empty.

It's interesting.

That is the power and the efficacy of the word of God that we preach, confess, and teach to our people.

Now that's my little introductory message.

What is very interesting, I don't know if you are aware that this weekend is the weekend of the anniversary of the dedication of this nation to the Lord.

I don't know if you're aware of this.

You may not be aware that in uh May of 1994, if that is correct, President Eisenhower signed into law, that our nation, our pledge of allegiance, which we will speak in a minute, also would have the words under God.

Why was it done?

When the United States, during the days of the Cold War was growing in anxiety over the rise of the Soviet Union, which stated that there is no God, an atheist nation, the United States strongly felt we need to say under God, and that's why President Eisenhower signed it into law.

Now this weekend is the celebration, the 250 years of the re of the dedication of our nation as a nation under God.

Pastor, thank you so much.

We really appreciate your comments.

We're ready to go to the invocation.

Thank you so much.

And let's rise for prayer.

Thank you.

I like to say the prayer that.

I like to read the prayer that uh George Washington wrote, if it is thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and name among the nations of the earth.

Grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey thee.

Bless us with thy wisdom in our counsel, success in battle, and let our victories be tempered with humanity.

And thou also our enemies with enlightened minds that they become sensible to their injustice and willing to restore our liberty and peace.

Grant the petition of thy servant for the sake of whom thou hast called thy beloved son, nevertheless, not my will but thy be done.

Amen.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Pastor.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Great.

We've got a couple of uh proclamations to celebrate some some major events in our community, and I will actually we'll start off.

Item three is approval of the minutes for the city council meetings of April 29th and 30th, 2026.

Are there any corrections or edits to the minutes?

Okay.

Hearing none, is there a motion for approval of the minutes?

Second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

Please vote.

The motion carries.

Thank you.

Okay.

So today is a, well, this year rather is a big uh anniversary, the 40th anniversary for communities in schools of San Antonio, and I will read a proclamation.

If those that are here for this celebration, if you'd like to come to the um to the podium, you're able to.

City of San Antonio hereby presents its official congratulations to communities and schools of San Antonio on your 40th anniversary.

In celebration of 40 years of dedicated service and lasting impact, communities and schools of San Antonio has remained a steadfast champion for students and families across our city.

Since its founding in 1985, the organization has fulfilled its mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

For four decades, communities and schools of San Antonio has worked in close partnership with the City of San Antonio, local schools, and community organizations to address the academic, social, and mental health needs of young people.

Through comprehensive campus-based case management, mental health services, housing stability support, and youth development initiatives, the organization has helped remove barriers to education and foster pathways to long-term success.

Rooted in collaboration and guided by compassion, communities and schools of San Antonio has strengthened student well-being, improved educational outcomes, and contributed to the vitality of our community.

Its work continues to support not only individual students and families, but also the truth the future workforce and overall health of our city.

As communities and schools of San Antonio commemorates this milestone through its reunion gala, celebrating 40 years of champions.

We recognize the site coordinators, clinicians, educators, mentors, volunteers, partners, and supporters whose shared commitment has made this legacy possible and continues to shape a brighter future for generations to come.

The members of the City Council of the City of San Antonio join you in celebrating this remarkable milestone and extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for continued success and impact in the years ahead.

Happy 40th anniversary.

You recognize the speaker.

Thank you.

Good morning.

My name is Jessica Weaver and honored to serve as president and CEO for communities and schools of San Antonio.

On behalf of our board of directors, our staff, and the thousands of students and families, we are pleased, we're a privileged to serve.

We thank you, mayor, and council and city staff for this meaningful recognition.

We are deeply grateful for the City of San Antonio's leadership and for the partnership we share in supporting students, families, and the future of our city.

I want to recognize the broader community of support that makes this work possible.

Our school districts, campus leaders, and educators, along with our nonprofit and civic partners, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations.

In alignment with the city, you work alongside us every day to ensure kids and families have access to the resources, stability, and the care that they need academically, socially, and emotionally.

This year marks 40 years of communities and schools of San Antonio serving this community.

Since our founding in 1985, our mission has been simple and steady to surround students with a community of support so they can stay in school and achieve in life.

Over the years, we have partnered with schools, the city and community organizations to help remove barriers to education and support our youth beyond the classroom.

Our founder, Bill Milliken, and it said it best.

It's not programs that change the lives of children, it's relationships.

And research back this backs this up.

Two recent studies from Harvard and Carnell have shown that our model of integrated student supports, surrounding our students with a web of supporting systems is a powerful protective factor, improving academic outcomes, strengthening mental health, and helping young people overcome adversity.

In fact, relationships consistently matter more than circumstances alone.

That same research has told us that trusted caring adults are not only transformative for students, they are also powerful drivers of economic mobility and public health and proven tools for prevention, helping reduce negative outcomes, preparing young people to graduate, thrive, and contribute to safer, healthier communities.

As we culminate this milestone year, we do those, we do so with both gratitude and excitement, especially as we celebrate students who are graduating and stepping confidently into their next chapters in life.

Next week we'll gather for our reunion gala, celebrating these 40 years of champions.

And to the city of San Antonio, we want to thank you for standing with communities and schools of San Antonio for aligning around students and families and for re recognizing that their success is essential to the success of our city.

We're not separate.

We are deeply honored and inspired to continue this work together in the years ahead.

And thank you and happy 40th anniversary to communities and schools of San Antonio.

Thank you, President Weaver.

Would any of my colleagues like to make remarks?

Councilwoman Corps.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

Thank you all for being here and congratulations.

I always used to love when Dr.

Rocha used to have to recuse herself from votes for CIS because she was a board member and she so proudly recused herself.

I really want to thank you guys for all the work that you do.

You know I'm a huge fan, and I think the work that your counselors are doing in campuses every single day.

I wish every campus in our city could have so many more of y'all's counselors because it truly makes a difference.

And so thank you for your tireless work, and I hope you get continue to get the funding that you need to serve our kids that need it the most.

Thank you all so much.

Thank you.

Great, thank you.

Councilmember Viewedan.

Yes, I just want to congratulate you guys for 40 years and the incredible work you've done and sometimes just working, not looking for the accolades, but in the school districts that need it most, making sure that our students are moving forward, that they have the confidence to move forward.

It's so great to see uh my council colleague here, and then I think about um Councilman Saldania and his efforts and his work to make sure that we are not just um helping, but we are uplifting the people in our community.

So thank you so much.

Congratulations.

I I look forward to 40 more years.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you.

As was mentioned, district four has a very long-standing ties to uh CIS.

And we have a board member here, Councilman Garcia, and Ray has a small job doing something over there.

I don't know what exactly.

But you know, you just think about all the students that participated in that, uncertainly, Councilman Roger Garcia and Councilman Soldania who credited CIS with their success in life, right?

And how many kids uh wouldn't be where they are today without the support for CIS.

And so, you know, we want to make sure that our schools can continue to work with you all and have these programs there, and you know, make sure that the city council supports you all because it's such a critical program for our kids and our future.

So thank you for what you do.

You don't get that enough.

Um, but thank you for that.

Please continue the good work.

Thanks.

Thank you, Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you.

Just wanted to commend uh Jessica and the entire communities and schools board for the impact and value that y'all bring to the residents of San Antonio and beyond the elementary classroom, you all do so much more in terms of wraparound services, connecting residents to much needed uh resources, but also the role that y'all play within secondary education.

And I'm reminded of my time when I went to school to be uh U.S.

government teacher, and for my service learning, there uh was an opportunity to conduct some of my service learning through community and schools at Collins Garden Elementary School to read to students and teach those literary skills to our youth.

So just wanted to highlight the impact that y'all have between uh K through 12 education but beyond in higher education as well, providing uh that opportunity with service learning, but most importantly, having and expanding the impact in our community.

So, thank y'all so much.

Thank you, Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mary and thank you all for all the work that you do every single day.

I mean, not just the uh the work you do for our students, of course, in the there, but also for the families too, looking at it holistically and trying to support uh our students' needs all across the board, not just at school, but at home too.

And of course, thank you to the support you get to our educators too when there are issues that they cannot address, that they're uh doing their best every single day that you're able to help step in, intervene and support uh them in their mission and making sure that our students have all the resources they need.

I also want to say a personal thank you for uh communities and schools being available at Holmes High School when I was there, and we're in tough times with not only my friends but myself too uh in my life, right?

We're able to get resources there on site on campus uh very easily, and it helps make all the difference to ensure that our students are able to stay in school, focus in school, and uh reach their best potential as possible.

So thank you again for all that you're doing, eager to continue supporting you all.

Thank you.

Councilmember Alderte Gavito.

Thank you.

Um, happy 40th.

You know, y'all have an amazing crew up here.

Um, but when I think about communities and schools and the impact that you all have, um, obviously you all are touching students' lives, um, but it's also preparing the workforce for San Antonio for tomorrow.

You know, we know that we need a healthy workforce so that way we can bring opportunities for all of us here.

So you I mean the short-term goal is is obviously making um that those students' lives more impactful and so that they can be successful in school, but you're also contributing to thriving San Antonio.

So thank you for your work with that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you so much.

Happy birthday.

Um, I see a lot of familiar faces on the board, and uh I know these people lead with their heart, so um, glad to uh support the work that you do.

You were recently at our District 18 mental health town hall.

There's a lot of work that you're doing in that space now, and so the the ability to pivot like you have, I think is so important for our kids.

So thank you for making sure that our kids have the resources they need in school, right?

Because that's where they're spending so much of their time more than at home.

Um, so just thank you again for all the work that you do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

40 years, that's a big accomplishment and a big milestone, and it just speaks to the testament of your impact here in the community and the need for it and the continued efforts that you have been making and removing these barriers for all of the kids and their families, both in and out the side of the classroom.

So thank you for that.

Um it's it's a really important way that you connect the mentorship that you provide and the resources and encouragement.

That's what's really important.

That's changing the way these kids are thinking about themselves, and that's the change.

And I think that's really impactful and that's how we move forward.

That's how we and y'all know this.

So I'm really impressed with all everything that you're doing.

And uh congratulations we're grateful for all the educators and counselors, the staff, your volunteers.

There's so many people that have to come together to make this work, right?

So just congratulations again on the 40 years and and thanks for investing in the future of San Antonio.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Yeah, thank you all for everything you do.

Um, I just want to read the the mission of communities and schools.

From the website, it says our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

And I mean, there isn't a greater mission around, I think, than that, and you all, um, the efforts that you make to promote that mission and have that mission succeed, I think is um is special.

It helps us here in San Antonio in so many ways, and so thank you for all you do.

Thank you.

Thank you again, President Weaver.

Thank you uh to all the board members that were able to join us today.

Uh, when you look at the numbers uh annually, it's it's pretty amazing.

Almost 12,000 kids annually, 12 school districts, and I know it says communities and schools in San Antonio, but you're in Uvalde and Pearsall and Divine.

So thank you so much for all that you do, obviously here in San Antonio, but as well to strengthen the entire region.

Thank you and congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I will now read a proclamation for National Salvation Army Week.

Whereas the city, for those that are here, please.

Great.

Thank you for joining us.

Whereas the city of San Antonio recognizes that National Salvation Army Week was first declared by President Eisenhower in 1954 to recognize the organization's long history of service since establishing American roots in Philadelphia in 1878.

And whereas National Salvation Army Week takes place May 11th through the 17th and is observed globally by a hundred and thirty-two countries and in the San Antonio Salvation Army alone, served more than 145,000 meals and provided nearly 50,000 nights of shelter in 2025.

And whereas guided by its motto, doing the most good, and supported by generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and community advocates, the Salvation Army resp uh responds on the front lines of disasters worldwide to develop deliver compassionate relief and life-changing assistance and hardship.

And whereas the Salvation Army meets the needs of those facing hunger, poverty, addiction, and spiritual hardship without discrimination, and serves an enduring role in the American story.

And whereas during this week we honor volunteers, donors, and all who share its 160-year mission of hope and healing people from all walks of life.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, mayor of the City of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim May 11th through 17, 2026 to be National Salvation Army Week in San Antonio, Texas.

You recognize the speaker.

And we remain committed to being a resource and doing the most good.

Every meal served, every bear provided, every child supported, and every family helped is only possible because this community continues to stand beside us.

And we are proud to partner with the city of San Antonio to serve our neighbors in times of crisis and on the path toward long-term stability.

This recognition belongs to the dedicated people who work tirelessly every day to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you again for this honor and for supporting the mission of helping those most in need throughout San Antonio.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Wouldn't it be my colleagues like to say a few words?

Councilmember Viecaron.

Thank you so much for what you do and being the example of what happens when we bring bring our community together and we work side by side.

You have been consistent this entire time.

It has been critical on those hot days and those cold days for a lot of of our people.

And then the services that you provide just to make sure that people are getting a second chance and moving on is just something that I admire, and I'm so glad that we are here to recognize you today, and we are able to partner with you in the future.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Munkia.

Thank you all so much for what you do, and I think um there is probably a lot of things we probably don't know that you do for our community, and you all have a beautiful center in District 4 on Southwest Military Drive.

And when I got elected, I wanted to have a meeting there, and you all said the community is welcome.

You opened up your doors to us, and we've had a few things go on there, thankfully.

And I know you also run a senior center, you know, some activities with seniors there, and it's just amazing the things you do for our community.

So thank you for uplifting everybody.

And also I have to say, as someone who loves thrift stores, y'all have amazing thrift stores, and I love the way you color code your knickknacks.

So thank you very much.

We should.

Councilmember McCastillo.

Thank you.

Just wanted to commend you all for the work that you guys do in our community, but particularly for the South Florida's location within District 5, uh, where you all house those in need, but also serve as a donation station.

And as someone who also enjoys thrifting, it's allowed me to reconnect with a childhood friend who is there uh working uh through our entry work.

So just extremely grateful uh Salvation Army has helped him uh get reconnected with job opportunity.

Now he's working downtown uh in the hospitality industry, but still relies on the support of the Salvation Army.

So just grateful for the work that you all do.

Um, but I also wanted to highlight um the work with the angel tree uh that you all do.

I know many district five residents continue to rely and value those services.

Uh, and as a child, it's how I was able to receive my first CD player.

Um, so just grateful for the work and opportunity that y'all provide to kids and families in need.

But most importantly, the wraparound services for y'all's reentry work.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Aldrette Gavito.

Just wanted to quickly thank you for y'all's work.

You know, when you think about uh Salvation Army, you think of a long-standing trusted brand.

And that's often hard to kind of keep up with that uh type of brand these days.

So I think that's a testament to you all.

That's a testament to your mission, and that's a testament to your work.

So congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Happy birthday, another 40th.

This is a everyone's turning 40 today.

Um, thank you for all the work that you do in our community.

We all know you during Christmas time with those bells ringing, um, and we look forward to that, but you do way more than that.

So we know that, and we appreciate all the work you do for our community and our surrounding area and the thrift store too.

I actually fell when I was a kid, and I saw the stitches, the mark from that.

I always remember Salvation Army because of that.

Um, but thank you again for um all the work that you do to make our community stronger.

Thank you again for joining and for all the work that you do to strengthen our city.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Okay, we have a proclamation for National Bike Month and Bike to Work Day.

Um, though I see your helmets, but I know your bikes are not in here.

So if you'd like to, you can walk up here though, please.

They're what?

Yeah, yeah.

Helmets are cool.

What are you talking about?

All right.

Okay.

Whereas the City of San Antonio recognizes May 2026 as National Bike Month, then we'll host the ninth annual bike to work day on May 15th to promote awareness of safe, accessible, and convenient pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and encourage residents to consider alternative transportation options.

And whereas the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Activate SA in collaboration with local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses, actively supports National Bike Month by organizing events and outreach efforts that encourage residents across the region to try bicycling throughout May.

And whereas walking, bicycling, and public transit are healthy and sustainable modes of transportation that reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, support economic development, promote public health, and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals and communities.

And whereas the City of San Antonio affirms bicycling as a viable and essential mode of transportation and continues to invest in infrastructure and policies, including the bike network plan, complete streets policy, and vision zero SA initiative to promote safety, improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and eliminate traffic, fatalities, and serious injuries.

And whereas the bike to work Energizer Stations on May 15th will be hosted throughout downtown San Antonio to offer bicyclists resources, educational materials, refreshments, and opportunities for recognition and prizes and celebration and encouragement of National Bike to Work Day.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of the City of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do you hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 to be National Bike Month and May 15th, tomorrow to be bike to work day in San Antonio, Texas?

You're recognized.

Good morning, Mayor and City Council members.

Good morning, Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Solomon Mendoza.

I'm a multimodal transportation planner with the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

On behalf of AMPO and our regional partners, thank you for recognizing Bike Month and Bike to Work Day here in the city of San Antonio.

At AMPA, we're proud to help fund bike and pet projects throughout the region that improve safety, connectivity, and quality of life.

Through our regional planning efforts, we help invest millions of federal dollars in infrastructure that helps people of all ages and abilities move around more safely and efficiently.

These investments not only expand transportation choices but also support economic development, public health, and environmental sustainability across our communities.

Bike Roth reminds us that transportation is about people, creating a region where residents can safely choose how they travel, whether by car, transit, walking, or cycling.

We appreciate the city's continued partnership and leadership in advancing transportation and encourage everyone to get out, ride safely, and participate in bike to work day.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm Isaac Levy, senior transportation planner for the transportation department, who leads the bike network plan.

A plan that has recommended citywide safety improvements for all current and future cyclists.

As we'd like to remind ourselves that the transportation department, a plan is only the first step and is only as good as its execution.

I want to give a thanks to our city council members, Mayor Ortiz Jones, all COSA staff members, and our partner agencies for their continued support and commitment to helping implement the grand vision set forth for our city.

I also want to give a special thanks to our advocacy groups as well as our residents and business owners across the city.

Without their input, this plan would have never came into fruition as it is today.

And numerous projects like Camden and Woodland Lake area would have never gotten off the ground.

As we implement recommendations from the bike network plan, we'll continue to need your input to help shape your city.

Last but certainly not least, let us remember our fellow cyclists who have passed away in unfortunate fatal incidents over the past year.

Their lives will be remembered as we continue our mission to make cycling safer across San Antonio.

Mayor Jones and City Council members, happy bike month.

My name is Joey Povlik, Executive Director of Activate SA.

I'm excited to be here today to celebrate.

Over the past couple years, we've made great strides in making San Antonio premier biking and cycling city with the recent adoption of the bike network plan, completion policy, Vision Zero Action Plan, and the TOD policy framework, as well as transformational projects that are nearing completion, such as the Santa Rosa Avenue Project, or those that are nearing construction, such as Market Street Cycle Track.

Our ever expanding Greenlight Trail Network is also something of a true jewel in Gym for San Antonio across our great city.

Thank you, especially to our city staff, city council, and awesome community members, those from like just just all cycling initiative to SAT socialide who've been in great part in advocating for these topics and better improvements.

These plans and policies are incredibly needed, not only to help us feel safer, but more comfortable when we, our children, and our grandparents are out there on our streets.

I think you would agree that one person killed our city streets and roadways is one too many.

Between 2021 and 2025, 33 cyclists were killed.

Another 109 were seriously injured.

This year alone, one cyclist lost his life, Mark Anthony Morales, a fatality that actually didn't seem to be accurately reported in the Textile Crash Records Information System.

These people are fellow San Antonians, friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, not coming home to their families or with lives drastically altered.

These plans and policies have seabed at great visions.

Now we're calling on you to truly make these visions a reality.

We need a bike network plan that is truly safe, comfortable, protected, and connected, built for users of all ages and abilities.

On behalf of our cycling community and active transportation community, thank you.

Let's make San Antonio the premier cycling community that we deserve.

Thank you, happy bike month.

Thank you.

Councilmember Corp, do you recognize?

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you all so much for coming this morning and for organizing national, helping us organize and celebrate National Bike Month.

As I was biking to work today, I was biking down Flores, and there was three times where there was an obstruction in the bike lane.

And those are the things that we constantly face every single time if you are biking.

And we you are right, we said it.

We have all of the plans in place now, and we have all voted on a complete streets policy.

We have a vision zero policy, like I mentioned earlier, first of the of its kind in the state of Texas.

We have our bike network plan, which included so much community engagement, it was done so thoughtfully.

Now we gotta go.

And so it we you know, I'm gonna bike this evening to Martinez Creek Neighborhood Association meeting, and I'm gonna bike down Cincinnati, and there's not going to be a protected bike lane, even though we've been asking for it for a year and a half.

And it's because it's the challenge of working with residents to see how we can best accommodate their needs with parking and also making sure that we can implement quick build solutions that we've been talking about.

Would you all be okay with plastic armored demos or plastic delineators to support bike lanes?

Yeah.

Yeah, let's get started.

So that is what I'm gonna continue advocating for, and I know my council colleagues are very supportive of continuing to advocate for that so that when we are all enjoying our streets, whether it's for a commute or a transit or whether it's just for joy that we get to do so safely and no more accidents.

And I will join you guys next Wednesday for our uh bike for s uh memorial of silence for all of those that have passed.

Thank you all so much, and thank you to the city staff that work so hard for this.

Thanks, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to everybody uh who are who's here today and all the work that you've done uh every single day and continue to do in your advocacy as well as uh even the kind of cultural development that you all do and making sure that our community uh across the board is excited and enjoying biking uh here in our city.

Um District 6 has a very active uh cycling community uh from our uh most senior residents to even our youngest residents.

Uh I shouted this out earlier, but I'm always gonna shut them like out again.

Uh, the Taft High School uh bike club is an incredibly active group on unfortunately one of the most dangerous roads in our city, but continues to kind of not only enjoy cycling in our community, but also advocate for better street pedestrian safety uh and cycling uh safety here in our community.

Um I also want to thank Transportation Department, all the work that they do in creating the bike network plan and creating the complete streets plan, uh, continuously advocating and pushing us on the Vision Zero plan.

When I was first doing my my NAMP projects in CIP Project Public Works, I remember sitting at my field office and looking at the bike network plan and looking at the crash reports and seeing how can we use some of these dollars to help support uh addressing these issues here, right?

Because it's not just about uh making things nice, although they should also be nice and beautiful.

Uh it's also making sure that they're safe for our community.

Um one last thing, I won't go into my personal abilities with cycling, I already did before earlier this morning, but I did want to mention this.

Um, even though I may not be the best cyclist uh in my office, I do have uh two folks on my team that I'm very proud to have on my team, uh both work on policy, Eric and Derek of our team, who were the top B-cyclists in our entire city uh competing against one another, did not know each other, um, and they continuously push and ask me to advocate for uh the Pearl bringing back the B-cycle spot there because that's what keeps our city moving.

So, anywho, I just want to share that the passion is there, the commitment is there.

Hope to continue working with you all and all the departments to make sure that this becomes a reality here in our city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Aldorata Gavito.

Thank you.

I again just want to thank all of you all for for your work, um, activate as say all of the biking groups, our transportation team.

Um, as we mentioned um earlier this morning, it's really gonna take all of us.

I also want to thank uh my colleague uh councilwoman core for really spearheading you know the quick builds her and councilwoman Castillo on teaming up on that because while we have all the plans, the plans are great, they're well thought out.

It is time to execute.

And I loved what what my uh colleague mentioned this morning of hey, doing two projects a year is no longer acceptable.

We need to be doing 15 20 projects a year.

Um we need to get serious about this.

We all we all know what the North Star is.

We're all aligned there.

You know, we're not fighting about that.

We we just it is now time to execute.

So I uh as we mentioned earlier, uh we need to have a me and Councilman Galvan need to have a competition on who is the worst cyclist.

Um maybe I'll win.

But um, but you know, I am a long distance runner, and oftentimes long-distance runners and cyclists face the same challenges.

And so, you know, I come at from come at it from that lens, um, although I think I am a little bit more stable on my feet.

But um, but you know, there is still so much opportunity, and so thank you so much for y'all's work on the finally the complete bike path around Woodlawn Lake to keep so many families safe.

Uh, we're so excited about that.

I mean that the community's so uh extremely excited about that, but there's still so much more work to do, and um, yeah, we we need to get to work.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for joining us today.

Thank you.

If our police officers would would join, come to the podium.

It's great to see so many of you here today.

Thank you.

This is a uh proclamation in honor of police officers Memorial Day and National Police Week.

So whereas the City of San Antonio recognizes that in 1962, President John F.

Kennedy designated May 15th and the week in which it falls, respectively, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week, a time to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

And whereas during National Police Week, our nation and communities across the country come together alongside thousands of officers, survivors, families, and loved ones to gather in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

And whereas each day, police officers place themselves in harm's way facing unpredictable and dangerous situations where even routine calls can quickly escalate into life-threatening circumstances, all while working to protect innocent civilians and safeguard our community.

And whereas, through their unwavering commitment, police officers uphold and enforce the laws of our nation and protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our constitution, and it is important to recognize their challenges, responsibilities, and sacrifices, remembering that behind every badge is a story of service and family.

And whereas it is incumbent upon all of us to support and collaborate with our law enforcement community to maintain public safety, and the San Antonio Police Department will host its annual Fallen Officers Memorial Day ceremony on May 29, 2026, at the SAPD training academy to honor the 62 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of the City of San Antonio, do hereby proclaim uh May 15th, 2026 to be San Antonio Police Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 11 through the 16th, 2026 to be National Police Week in San Antonio, Texas, and extend profound appreciation to the members of the San Antonio City um San Antonio Police Department for their unwavering dedication to the safety and protection of our city.

Chief, you're recognized.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

Thank you for issuing this proclamation recognizing SAPD during Police Memorial Day and National Police Week.

In our 180 years of existence as a department, we talked about the sacrifice of the officers that have come before us.

And that loss is a constant reminder to all of us of the sacrifices that they made and the commitment that we make each day to keep this community safe.

And today is not only about remembering those that we lost, but honoring their legacy of service, courage, and dedication that they left behind for this community and for this department to grow from.

So again, I want to thank you all for the recognition.

And as you said, Mayor, everybody's invited to our memorial ceremony at the San Antonio Police Academy Friday, May 29th at 9 a.m.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Corps.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to thank you all for everything that you do every day.

Obviously, want to remember those that have gone before us and all of the service that they have provided, but I want to especially give a shout out to my District One safe officers that do so much for our city.

So starting with the West Obstation Officer Cano, and then see here, Officer Garcia, the pre-sep station officer Lafrosha, Officer McCampbell, North Substation, Officer Richardson and Officer Talamas.

The Central Substation Officer Dominguez, Gomez, Tapia, and Scott.

And then the downtown substation, Officer Tereo, Guzman, Inojosa, Hernandez, Romero, and Sanchez.

Thank you all so much for everything that you do for District 1 residents.

Really appreciate you all.

Thanks, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Via Gran.

I thank you.

I just want to take this time, and most of y'all know I served at CRT for seven years, and there's nothing like the fear of hearing that e-tone go off when you're sitting in the office and trying to follow up on cases through through dispatch.

This is one job where I was talking to someone, and you all you all take this job and you take this oath, and you have to figure out your uh your plans if something happens to you for your family.

And we have 16 62 officers that had that done and then their family survived.

And so if you haven't been council members to the memorial, I highly suggest that you go.

But again, on National Police Week, I want to recognize the people within our five years for some of us, our term that um got shot and made it and recovered because of your training and because of the fact that you um were there to take them out of the line of fire.

And we've had um a few close calls.

So, um, you know, my prayer is continually that you guys are safe out on the streets, that you uh feel appreciated for the sacrifice that you make and for the sacrifice that your families make also.

So I I want to thank you for being here today.

Remember those that have fallen, um, those that that I knew because they served um while I was there, and understanding that with with y'all's training and y'all's work and y'all's efforts that we, in this past five years have seen people come out of um very difficult situations and try to recover.

So thank you for what you do.

Thank you for taking that oath and that sacrifice.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you all for being here today.

I do want to recognize a fallen officer that um passed away in 1983, um, Gilbert Ramidez, and we actually have our community center in District 4 named after him.

And he was at the end of his shift uh and saw a call come in and recognize that that was probably somebody that he went to church with who was abusing his wife and made the call and was um shot and killed by the man.

And so that was a great example of a man who uh was from the area, knew his folks, wanted to protect his own and his community.

And he also happened to be my Uncle Homer's best friend, uh, and that was either they were like brothers.

And my aunt told me that when he died, it was the most devastating thing my uncle went through at that time.

Um so we have to remember that you know our officers are our family members.

They are fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters, and I think uh we have to do our best to, despite everything going on in the world in the country, uh, recognize the humanity, right?

Recognize the humanity behind the uniform, recognize the humanity behind a suit, uh recognize the humanity behind even a protest line, right?

These are all individual people, and we all have that shared common theme.

So thank you all for your service every day.

It's hard to put on that uniform and go out and say goodbye to your families and and hope that you come back uh in one piece.

So thank you all.

So thank you to Officer Hernandez from South Substation, who does so much great work in our community.

Uh, you know, does work on his time off, um, finds our missing speed radar trailers on his day off uh and goes to so many community meetings.

So just thank you for your service and for all of you for being here today.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you.

I'd like to express my gratitude for each and every one of you all for your courage and sacrifice in serving San Antonio residents.

It has been an honor to observe many of you all, whether you're with the West Central, the West Substation, the Central Substation, or the South Substation that served District 5, to see you all lead with professionalism and compassion for the residents that each and every one of you all serve.

Now I can't go down the roll call of those uh safe officers who have helped me uh rebuild my relationship when it comes to public safety, um, but I would be remiss if I didn't highlight Officer Tapia, Officer Moreno, uh Officer Hernandez, Officer Martinez, Officer Gonzalez, and so many others.

And there's a lot of Officer Hernandez's, but Sergio Hernandez in particular.

And Jake Hernandez, but just extremely grateful for the work and the service that you all uh do in serving District 5 residents and beyond.

And you know, we're we're also here to honor the the fallen officers.

And I've had an opportunity to sit with a child who's now an adult of a fallen SAPD officer who was responding to a domestic violence phone call, and our constituent lost their father because of that call.

I've sat with the siblings of fallen officers, and while those aren't my stories to tell, I can tell you that I really value the commitment that you all put when y'all put on that uniform and go out to serve our constituents.

So thank you very much for all that you all do.

And I just again would be remiss if I didn't highlight those stations that serve District 5 residents and build those relationships with community.

And uh, you know, a quick anecdote.

I was uh on a ride along with uh Officer Hernandez when there was a response because there were shots fired in an officer.

An officer had been shot.

Uh and I was um, you know, grateful that the officers were okay, but I was grateful and impressed with the response and the professionalism that I saw from so many officers responding to that call, um, grabbing their equipment, running to the scene was just very impressive to see that professionalism, that experience, and that commitment um to not just keeping an officer safe, but residents around and alike safe as well.

So just wanted to thank you all for y'all's work, y'all's leadership, and of course, always leading with professionalism and integrity.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you all for all the work that you do every single day and the commitment to service you have for our entire community.

I keeping our city safe is not an easy job.

We all know that.

And so it takes a lot to do that every single day.

It takes a lot for your family to be behind you every single day.

I'm very grateful to be able to be a part of the recent cadet uh, actually, it was a little bit further back now, uh, cadet graduation and see so many folks excited uh to not only serve our community but also the families behind them, supporting them, cheering them on, knowing that they're gonna be uh tough times in this in this role, but knowing that their kids are able to do it.

A lot of us here are from our center neighborhoods, are trying to serve us in neighborhoods that we come from.

So I think that in particular just speaks volumes to what the work you do every single day here in our city, and in particular, I want to say thank you to our safe officers, of course, um, and all the folks within our West and Proof Substations that serve District 6.

Um, I still have a little bit of a heart.

Well, I have a lot of heart for Central Subsafe 2 for the work that y'all did when I was in D5 as well, working with our communities that overlap there.

Um, and so I just want to say thank you to you all for all the work that you do to go to the neighborhood meetings to respond uh to calls during the day and all those all the sore, just ask answer questions that our folks have that may seem trivial to folks who do not understand the work that we do, but means a lot for the folks uh in our community that also are talking to the neighbors about what things they're hearing, what things they're seeing, what things are dealing with.

Uh, to not only uh answer some of the questions, but you know, calm the nerves of a lot of our folks, make sure that we feel safe in our community.

So thank you for that.

And I also want to note, right, uh, when we talk about um memorializing a lot of our our folks who have fallen in the line of duty, um two of the four parks in our city uh that are named after folks who have fallen um are in district six, Hoyar Park and Oscar Petas, both parts of our district outside and inside 410.

Um, there is a commitment in our community to continue to honor and respect those uh who have put their lives on the line uh to keep our community safe.

And it's you know it's not an easy job.

It's not I think uh a thankful job all the time.

Uh, but just know that uh we're here to support you all, uh, that our communities are with you all too.

And I was told uh by my aunt that I had to recognize uh also Celeste and Bobby who work, my cousins uh in SAPD uh who have been doing this work for a very long time, both on the patrol as well as in the back end to answering the calls and making sure that you all have the tools you need uh on the back end to go out and serve our community.

So thank you all for all the work that you do every single day.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Alder de Gabito.

Thank you.

Um I of course want to thank you all for all the work that you all do to keep all of us safe and our kids safe and our families safe every single day.

Um, but you know, uh uh when we were listening to the proclamation, we it said it is important to recognize the challenges you all face.

And I know my council colleagues and I, and and I hope my council colleagues and I can um relate to this, but we have to do a lot of context switching all the time, all day, every day, right?

We're as you can imagine as council members, we get things thrown at us all of the time, and then we have to go home, and some of us have to be moms and sisters and partners and all that kind of stuff, right?

Um, and so on the days it gets really hard.

I often think about what you all have to do, because you all and f and firefighters, obviously, you all know my brothers are firefighter, but you all are with people at their worst moments, and you all face a lot of crap throughout the day, and then you have to go home, and you have to, you know, context switch, right?

You have to be a father, be a brother, be a husband, be a wife.

And so on our really hard days, I mean, we can't hold a flame to what you all have to do every single day.

So thank you so much for your service to the community.

Um, when we think it gets hard, I know that it's harder on y'all times 10.

I know it's harder on firefighters.

Sorry, maybe I shouldn't bring up firefighters in a room full of police officers.

It gets it gets harder for for our uh first responders times 10.

So I see you, I appreciate you, and I will continue fighting for you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Good morning, thank you all for being here today, um, and for everything that you do in our community.

I see some of our proved substation safe officers, Officer LaFrocha, Officer Ferguson, who's also Blue Santa sometimes.

Uh, but just thank you for everything that you do.

Um, you know, a lot of us are born and raised here in San Antonio, and that goes the same for our police officers.

So we know our communities, and um the fact that you wake up every day to make sure that our community is safe for your family, for our families, for folks that you'll never meet.

Uh that's really public service, right?

Um, we're doing work for folks that we will never see.

Um, and so thank you for doing that every day and working to make our city safe.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

I I have the honor of speaking at the San Antonio Fire and Police Pensioners Association Memorial this week, and we uh honored 57 fire men and women and police men and women that had passed in the past year, and it was really a moving ceremony.

It was really hard to get through.

I almost came undone myself, but it's a reminder that um, you know, you spend your whole life trying to protect everyone else, and we're just taking a little bit of time to honor you.

So we need to be grateful every day for everything that you're doing and what your families are going through.

Really what your families are going through, and how we can support you, and we we have to spare no expense in doing that.

Um, we take our freedoms for granted, but when we are in trouble, we call you, and you run in there and you help us.

When we're afraid and we're scared, and then you take that home.

So thank you for doing that.

I have some funny movie lines in here, I promise.

Um, but also we are trying to celebrate you this week.

It's National Police Week, and we are grateful for you choosing this career.

And I know you receive a lot of criticism.

And a community that sometimes isn't in favor of what you're trying to do.

But we are grateful, we really are.

There is no way this works without you.

None of this does, nothing we're doing.

Let's not pretend that any of this works without you.

So we're very grateful.

I'm sorry I got so emotional.

I wasn't planning to.

But um, this is you make us a strong city.

You help us attract new business here.

You pros help our communities prosper, our property values stay high.

You do so much and don't even know.

You go, thank you.

It's what you are doing right now that makes the difference.

Because this is the job, right?

So thank you to all of you, and thank you to your families, your kids, your parents, your husbands and wives, because I I think it'd be scary to worry about you all the time.

But thank you so much.

And we can't thank you enough every day.

Thank you.

Councilmember White.

Thanks, Mayor.

When I think of all of you and the work you do, I think of courage, I think of honor, and I think of sacrifice.

It is, I think unquestionably, there's never been a tougher time to be a police officer in America than right now.

And the way you guys, uh men and women go about doing your work every single day to protect the residents of San Antonio is truly remarkable, and we owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

I also believe that it's um, you know, this needs to be a two-way street, and um it's our job here on council uh to make sure that you all uh have all the personnel and all the resources uh that you need uh so that you can do those jobs to the very best of your abilities, and so I know that this council is is committed um to doing that.

You know, San Antonio as my colleague just mentioned, nothing works.

Nothing works unless the community feels safe.

People need to feel safe in their homes, people need to feel safe traveling around this city.

Uh our visitors need to know that when they come here to enjoy everything that San Antonio has to offer, that they will be safe when they are here.

You all make all of that happen.

Um, we are eternally grateful.

Uh, and for every one of you that is has passed on before us um in the line of duty.

Uh, you'll never know those folks will never uh be forgotten.

So thank you all for your work.

Um, as we move forward, if there's anything, of course, that any of you need um to do your jobs, um, all you have to do is ask, and and we'll go about getting it for you here at the city.

Thank you all so much.

Thank you, Councilman McKee Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you all for um choosing to serve our community in this way.

Um I will I want to provide some levity in this moment.

I don't know that I'll be able to, but I'll I'll I'm gonna decide if I'm gonna say what I think I want to say.

Um, but I'll start off by saying that you know we're still in the aftermath of a very difficult time uh for our entire nation as it relates to police community uh relations, and I think as we see the way that other communities have responded, what always stands out to me and the feeling and sentiment that I get is that San Antonio is different, and the reason that we're different, and the reason reason that our police department is different is because of the makeup and that so many of you come from communities like San Antonio.

Maybe you come from San Antonio, many of you come from inner cities, you come from communities like the East Side, and I can't tell you how many times I've spoken to an officer, and they say, you know, I I come from a community where the police community relations weren't weren't great, and I joined because I wanted to make a difference.

I wanted to change the system.

I wanted to make I wanted to make my community safer.

I wanted to be the change that I wanted to see, and so when I'm you know shaking your hands and looking you in your eyes and having conversation with you, that's the that's the officer that I see, and so there's a difference, and you'll hear I'm often one of the most vocal critics of policing and of the militarized uh nature of uh of policing and of law enforcement, uh, but at the end of the day, a person is different from the system in which they're participating in, and the role that you play is based off of the person that you are, and those of you who see the those of you who are choosing to act with compassion and care and love as as as you each are uh that makes our police department that much better.

That helps SAPD rise above the level of what we're seeing in other cities and other communities, and so I want to show uh gratitude for that, and I want to acknowledge that.

I know I haven't said that uh in that way publicly, but I do want to convey that, and that uh sits with my heart.

Um, and I'll also say that you know.

Very few people, many people think they want the power, authority, the responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform and having the badge.

Very few have the opportunity to actually do that or have what it takes to actually do that.

And so I hope that when you're hearing us have discussions about policing and things that we want to see better and things that are happening in other cities that we don't want to see happen here, I hope you know that it comes with it comes with respect, it comes with love, and it comes with an understanding and a belief that you are the best of the best, and we can continue to do better.

And so thank you.

Happy what was the names of the the good one?

National Police Week.

Police Week, happy police week, and of course uh remembering all of those who you who you know, love those who come before you who have fallen, uh, thank you all for your service.

I know it's a risk every day that you take, and uh we do appreciate you for it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let me reiterate the uh the thanks and appreciation that uh my colleagues have so eloquently shared.

Um I was thankful the other day to uh Councilman White and I were at the uh Memorial Service that was at NSA West to be able to lay a wreath there for those uh federal police officers, those peace officers that unfortunately had been lost.

So we are thankful for the 62 men and women uh that were courageous enough to serve, and unfortunately, we lost them in the line of duty, but we're a stronger community because such courageous folks were willing to support and defend the constitution, and then of course support and defend our community.

I'm also thankful for um, as has been alluded to you, so many of you contribute in other ways in our community.

I think about my own karate instructor, Anthony Linson, who some of you may know, Anthony Linson taught me karate uh off of uh Marbak and um uh blanket on the name, uh, but right around the corner from from Jay.

Um, and so to know he was a police officer by day um and a karate instructor and then child care provider, which he still continues to this day.

So um thankful for the ways in which you all serve our number our community and in so many ways, and um, if my colleagues will join me in a in a moment of silence for the 62 uh lives that have been lost.

A perpetual light shine upon them.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Final proclamation this morning is for Texas Flood Awareness Week.

Whereas the city of San Antonio recognizes flooding and flash flooding remain among the most frequent and dangerous natural hazards impacting the city of San Antonio and the broader South Central Texas region, and whereas the city's unique geography, waterways, and rapidly changing weather conditions create the potential for severe storms and flash floods that threaten lives, homes, businesses, infrastructure, and public safety, and whereas the city of San Antonio remains committed to safeguarding residents through flood mitigation projects, drainage improvements, emergency preparedness initiatives, public education efforts, and coordinated emergency response, and whereas increasing public awareness of flood risks, evacuation procedures, weather alerts, safe driving practices, hello, Waymo, including the critical warning, turned around, don't drown, helps prevent injuries, loss of life, and property damage.

And whereas the city recognizes and commends the dedication of first responders, emergency management personnel, public works teams, meteorologists, neighborhood leaders, and community organizations who work year-round to strengthen flood safety preparedness and community resilience.

Now, therefore, I, Jean Ortiz Jones, the Mayor of the City of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do you hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 to be flood awareness month in San Antonio, Texas?

Chief, if you'd like to say a few words.

Good morning, Mayor, Council.

Thank you so much for recognizing Flood Awareness Week.

This proclamation is especially meaningful, especially following the June 12th flooding event.

And it serves as an important reminder of the dangers flooding presents across our community.

Flood waters rise very quickly, we all know this, and they can be deadly.

One of the greatest risks we continue to see is motorists attempting to drive through flooded roadways.

And that is why the message turnaround don't drown is so very important.

No destination is worth risking a life.

I also want to recognize the tremendous work of our first responders, firefighters, dispatchers, public work crews, and partner agencies like the state who responded during the recent flooding events to keep our community safe.

Public awareness and personal decision making play a major role in preventing tragedies.

We encourage residents to stay weather aware, respect barricades, and avoid flooded areas.

So, on behalf of the San Antonio Fire Department, thank you again for your continued support and partnership.

Thank you, Chief.

Anyway, my colleagues like to say a few words.

Okay, Councilwoman Castillo.

Thank you, Chief, and I wanted to thank each and every one of you all and all the city employees who worked on the hazard mitigation plan.

What we know is that the work starts before the disaster hits.

And the work that each and every one of you all do, particularly the public works team and the stormwater team, is ensuring that we mitigate risk.

District 5 has experienced the impact of a hundred-year flood, so much that Char Miller wrote a book called West Side Rising, because we know that 1% can result in lives lost.

And while drainage, flood control is not sexy, and that they're very expensive projects, and sometimes they do require property acquisition and or relocation.

The goal is to mitigate risk and save lives.

And this is something that we can't uh undermine.

Um, and it's an important conversation, and they're tough conversations to have.

But the goal is that we're saving lives and protecting folks from any impact of disaster.

So I'm grateful for the role of each and every one of your departments, uh, particularly Jessica and Victoria, for your leadership in navigating um drainage projects in our community.

Again, these are tough conversations and uh working with consist constituents rather about FEMA, watershed, so on and so forth.

Um, it can be overwhelming, but you all have served as the experts to walk community through what this means and how to feel comfortable.

Uh so I just wanted to thank you all and commend y'all.

Um, but I would be remiss uh and since it's an opportunity to highlight how great Jessica and Victoria uh are, um, their leadership and work with flood control has encouraged our infrastructure director, Stephanie Morales, to go earn her master's in hydrology, understanding and watching their professionalism and the ways in which they teach community the importance and impact of flood control uh has encouraged Stephanie.

So just grateful for the stormwater team, uh, and each and every one of you all do uh and keep planning to keep our community safe and also responding uh in the instance of disaster.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Galvan.

Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Chief, for the words you spoke today, and thank you to all of you for the work that you do every single day to keep our community safe in both the prevention side as well as in the responding side.

We know when a disaster hits, we want to make sure that we're as ready as possible to take care of folks, and I really appreciate all our first responders who go out there uh doing extreme events, uh, whether they're weather or something of the sort that causes these things to happen.

Um, having our first one to be able to go out there quickly and take care of our residents is really critical.

There are folks in my life who have been saved um by firefighters and EMS uh workers uh during floods themselves, particularly in district six, and so it means a lot uh to know that uh we have the great systems here in place to make sure that we can do those response.

But also we've actually sorry, right as counselor Castillo so eloquently it out, uh, thinking about how can we do the property investments that we need across our city um at every focal point we can uh to make sure that uh we're protecting our folks as much as possible uh from if we've been a situation to have to call them on one uh during a flood or during a severe rainstorm.

Um I think one of the first meetings I I had when uh was when I was elected was with uh the River Authority Public Works and Parks talking about how our trail systems and other portions of our of our infrastructure here uh in district six in particular uh are gonna be looked at for this upcoming bond cycle how can we make sure that our our funding sources are leveraged in such a way that we can actually address the the upstream literal upstream issues that come late come down later to all of our folks here uh so I'm excited to do that work excited to see what we can do there uh I'm telling art now hold me to it uh make sure that I'm looking at those investments uh when the bond goes around uh as well as looking at of course two major roads in our city that continue to have flooding issues but we've been working on for a while old grissom and pin road in district six uh knowing that they're critical places that we need to address uh some major flooding issues there uh and I'm happy to be a partner in every step of the way that we can get there thank you so much thank you Councilmember Aldorete Gavito thank you thank you chief uh for for presenting this today and and Jessica and Victoria thank you for y'all's leadership and y'all's inspiration to to um to women here so I appreciate all y'all's work but as was mentioned uh by my colleagues Councilwoman Castillo and Councilman Galvan yeah these flooding projects aren't sexy and they're not exciting but they're needed and so you know one of the things that I think that we that we need to keep in mind as council members is that we shouldn't hold our breath and wait until the next bond the this this these flooding and uh flooding prevention projects need to be baked into our our general fund and and yes they're expensive but this is exactly what our budget needs to work on.

And so those are tough decisions but you know I I always get uh a nerved by the fact that we're just waiting and hoping for that next bond this needs to be baked in because when residents should expect to be protected um as as councilwoman uh castillo I I thought um hit the nail on the head when she said all of the work is is through prevention right and and it needs to be prevented and so it needs to be an area that we need to focus on 365 days a year.

So thank you for y'all's work um in keeping our community safe and and I appreciate it thanks Councilmember Spears.

Thank you, Mayor.

So I think you hear overwhelming overwhelmingly that we are supportive of how we can manage flooding in our region.

Art I feel especially comfortable with you at the helm too I I know you know how to do this and um you know it's we're reminded of the the tragedy that we had at Perrin Creek and then also we lost two of our homeless population on Saledo Creek in September.

So it can also impact our vulnerable populations that are that are um seeking shelter in maybe a less than safe area for and then and then impact it in that way.

But this is all about being prepared and you know I talk a lot about the bedrock up in District 9 and how that impacts other other districts and these are expensive projects but they're necessary in exactly what our residents expect from us and um to the extent that that we can go and talk to our legislator legislature and to the federal government about what our needs are and how we can just be loud and advocate to help get these funded then that's what we need to be doing and uh it's important because the more we work on this we we are remembering and honoring the tragedies that we've seen here and then what we saw July 4th last year.

This is all over the state we have a beautiful state and this is something that is is um something we have to manage and it and and it's expensive, it is expensive, but it's infrastructure, it's what we're supposed to be handling.

So thank you for your hard work.

Thank you to our firefighters.

No words for what y'all go into.

That is scary.

So we thank you for for entering into those situations, and we we owe it to you too to keep you out of those situations.

So um remember to turn around and don't drown.

And uh everyone needs to pay attention to those alerts when they come through.

We're in the rainy season, so I urge the public to pay attention to the alerts as they come in.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Yeah, thanks.

Just briefly, I echo what what um Terry, Rick, Marina, and and um Misty said it's uh the this is an important topic and you all are at the forefront of it.

So appreciate all the work that you do.

You know, last year on the border of of District 10 and 2, of course, we had that uh that tragic um flooding incident there at the at that low water crossing.

Um we need to make sure things like that uh don't happen again in our community, and and uh you know, all four corners of the city.

These these issues are out there, and so um I agree with what my colleagues said to the extent that we can put our dollars towards some of these fixes, we need to do it.

These are very much infrastructure issues uh that our city government should be addressing.

So thanks for all the work.

Thank you, Chief.

Thanks to everybody that took the time to uh to be here this morning.

I think you as you heard in our pond discussions just the other day.

Uh many of us want to prioritize this this topic, in particular the recommendations uh that came out of the Kleinfelder report, and we will do that.

So thank you for your work each and every day.

Okay, um, Eric, over to you for a uh city manager's report.

Thank you, Mayor.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

So today's video showcase uh really highlights two of our development service uh employees who coordinate building safety.

Uh May is building safety month.

This year's theme of built to last uh highlights how uh our modern building codes um provide um protection to the community and uh throughout the throughout the country and throughout the throughout the city.

Uh we'd like to recognize a couple of our DSD employees who exemplify this theme.

Uh, you'll see from the video of Valerie Gleason, who is an electrical inspection supervisor who's she's been with the city for over 31 years, and Crystal uh town um who is a dangerous premises officer and been with the city for 11 years.

Crystal is actually in the audience here today.

I don't think Valerie was able to meet us here today, but let's roll today's video.

My 1959 many C.

So you kind of see it's changed a tad.

I'm a supervisor for four senior electrical inspectors and six electrical inspectors.

Part of my job is to make sure that things are done, code compliant.

A lot of the things that I end up doing is verifying codes.

Somebody calls, they're not happy with something, and it's calling inspectors made.

On occasion, when that happens, I actually have to go to the site and try to find a solution.

Buildings aren't just electrical, you know, there's so many other aspects that have to work together to make that building come to fruition.

Many times we work with code because they know how to handle the citation process.

So my role as a dangerous premise officer is to enforce a city ordinance for existing building and structures.

I inspect um structures for the dangerous assessment response team citywide.

Uh structures that may be posing a nuisance, a hazard, or safety concern to the community.

We look for structural deficiencies for the three main components, which is the foundation walls and roof.

And we work closely with uh the San Antonio Police Department, the safe unit specifically, and we discuss properties that have a two-year history of code history and criminal history.

SAPD will secure the property, make sure it's safe so that all other city entities can go in and we conduct our inspection and then we move forward with our process, whether it's to go to the building standards board, or if it's maybe they need assistance with neighborhood housing services department, or maybe some other type of assistance they may need, we sit down with them and we see what their needs are and what we can best do to assist them.

The teamwork is that we all confer with each other on things, and I believe my other one is innovation.

Part of our job, too, is you know, something gets turned down for not complying with current code.

We actually sometimes will come up with ideas to help.

Because ultimately, we are not here to put us to the brakes on anybody's project.

It's just an emphasis on the safety of buildings themselves.

And how, as a community, we owe that to our neighbors to make sure that your house is safe.

My house is safe.

You know that the building you go and eat lunch in is safe for you to go to.

Thank you, Mayor.

And uh Crystal, thank you for being here today.

Thankfully, great.

Thank you, Eric, for that.

Okay, um, there are no individual items scheduled for today.

Items five through 16 minus number 13 that was withdrawn are on the consent agenda.

This means they will be considered as a group, and there will not be a staff presentation unless pulled for individual consideration.

Are there any items council members would like to pull from the consent agenda to be heard individually?

Okay, hearing none.

Uh we have two individuals signed up to speak uh from the public.

I'll call the individuals up in the order that they signed up.

The first person is Monica Guevara, followed by Kathy Jones.

Each of you have three minutes to speak, Monica Givada.

Okay, Kathy Jones.

Kathy Jones.

Okay.

Is there a motion to approve the balance of the consent agenda?

Motion to approve.

Okay.

It is moved and second to approve the balance of the consent consent agenda.

Are there any um highlights or questions about the consent agenda from my colleagues?

Okay, okay.

Highlights or questions, yeah.

Okay, um, councilman, what number?

What number would you like to highlight our question?

Okay, and your highlighter question 10.

Absolutely.

Okay.

Number five.

Your number 15.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Got a couple of highlights here.

Um, Councilman McKee Rodriguez, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor.

A few weeks ago, we um we made some appointments to the airport advisory commission, and we had one candidate uh drop out, and I vowed that we would as quickly as possible fill that remaining seat, and so we did, and so I'm uh excited to um recognize Camila Montoya, who will be an at-large community seat uh on the commission.

Thank you for your service, and thank you for uh being willing to step up and serve in this way.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Castillo, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mayor.

This morning I would like to highlight item number 10, but first I'd like to thank the chair of economic and workforce development as well as to all the applicants who applied for the at-large positions of the San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board and for in their investment and time and energy.

I'm grateful for SA Ready to Work's continued commitment to serving residents who face high barriers to employment to having organized labor at the table and to the inclusion of these needed voices in our workforce development discussions.

We know that a foundational component of this program's success is helping community members overcome the many varying barriers they face when seeking fulfilling good paying employment.

The presence of the advisory board of organized labor and organizations serving justice-involved individuals ensures that needed voices are heard and in turn make our program better overall.

My congratulations to Michael Benya on his appointment to the advisory board as a labor representative.

He is a 16-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and an executive board member of the IBEW Local 60.

My congratulations as well to Barbara Acosta from Big Home Individuals in our communities, and she's great at building relationships with individuals and families that lack needed resources and who face cycles that are very hard to break.

She has demonstrated an incredible ability to build bridges.

So I look forward to her presence on the advisory board.

And I wanted to thank both Michael and Barbara for their commitment to these positions, their dedication to strong attendance at the advisory board meetings, and to ensuring that labor and high barrier populations are represented and heard.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Gulovan.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to highlight items number seven and eight for my two new appointees, the Streets Bridges and Sidewalks Board, as well as the Parks and Recreation Board.

If Cynthia and Aaron and your families and friends would like to come up, you're welcome to come out to the podium as I recognize you all.

For item number seven, Cynthia Landez, very excited to appoint her.

She is a project manager in utility coordination at KCI Technologies for the past six years.

Cynthia has received her Bachelor of Science and Civil Engineering from Texas AI University in Kingsville in 1982.

Cynthia has been active American Society of Civil Engineers member for numerous years and a board members of 2022 and currently serves in the role of president for the San Antonio chapter.

Cynthia has been an active National Cooperative Highway Research Program Panel member for the past 20 years of Transportation Research Board in Washington, DC.

She was appointed as a member of TRB standing committee utilities and right-of-way for a term in August 2025.

I'm really excited to have you on that board.

I think you're going to solve Animal Ranch completely.

We'll call it once you're on there.

But thank you for all the work you're going to do there, and I'm really excited to have you on the team.

Thank you.

Of course.

And also going to highlight Aaron Gonzalez, item number eight.

Uh Aaron Gonzalez works within uh the healthcare industry and has a strong interest in public service as well as community development as both the parents and a local resident.

He values the importance of parks, recreation, and accessible spaces for citizens across the city.

He's excited for the opportunity to contribute to and support the Parks Recreation Board, and I'm hopeful that uh their son will someday be a Myers Eagle like I once was in district six.

Um I need both y'all's helped uh we talked about bike uh month today uh and making sure that not only uh we're making our streets safer for drivers but also for uh pedestrians for cyclists and for bus riders alike, not only to get to and from work, but to enjoy our beautiful city and go to our wonderful recreational areas too on the parks and trail system.

So thank you all for being here today.

Thank you for taking time out of your morning and time out of your lives to continue to support our community here in San Antonio.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Councilmember Spears.

Yes, I want to thank you, Mayor.

I want to highlight item five, which is an ordinance authorizing the submission at the high-intensity drug trafficking area grant application and acceptance of funds upon award in the amount up to 2.1 million dollars from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Public safety, a lot of public safety today.

Public safety remains one of the most important responsibilities we have as a city, and we should support these efforts that keep our neighborhoods' families and first responders safe.

Drug trafficking continues to have devastating impacts on communities across the country, contributing not only to addiction and overdose deaths, but also to violent crime, human trafficking, and broader public safety concerns.

This grant funding helps strengthen coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners so that they can more effectively target high-level trafficking operations and criminal networks operating in and around our region.

I think it's important that we continue leveraging outside funding opportunities whenever possible to support public safety initiatives and reduce the burden on local taxpayers.

These resources also help ensure our officers and investigative teams have the tools, personnel, and interagency support necessary to respond to increasingly complex criminal activity.

Residents want to feel safe in their homes, schools, parks, and businesses, and investments that help disrupt this dangerous drug trafficking activity directly support that goal.

I also appreciate this focus on collaboration and intelligence sharing because these challenges do not stop at city boundaries.

And effect and effective law enforcement requires strong regional and federal partnerships.

Ultimately, this is about protecting lives, strengthening public safety efforts, and ensuring law enforcement has the resources needed to proactively address criminal activity impacting our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember White.

Thanks, Mayor.

I want to highlight item 15.

Today we are passing an ordinance that is going to require a taxpayer impact statement to be published every year, so that our citizens know what's being done with their tax dollars.

And you know, affordability has never been more of an issue, I think, than it is right now, at least in recent time.

Cost of living is so high, and uh people want to know what is being done with their money.

So this taxpayer impact statement uh goes a long way towards transparency uh and accountability for our city government.

Um we made sure this morning that um the ordinance was was slightly changed where it is going to have in there that this will be published in the newspaper to make it as easy as possible for our residents to see again what's happening with their money.

Uh I'm also told that we are going to work with um CPS Energy and SAWS uh to have uh their their rates um published on this taxpayer impact statement as well, because of course um that's of great interest to our citizens too.

So I want to thank uh our city attorney's office, uh staff for working on this, my colleagues for supporting it, governance committee um for moving this along quickly this year, and uh excited that we're gonna get this passed today.

Thanks.

Thank you.

There being no further discussion, there's an emotion and a second to approve the consent agenda, which is items five through 16 minus 13.

Please vote.

Great.

The motion carries.

Um I'd ask my colleagues to remain seated while I take us into executive session.

The time is now 10 36 on um Thursday, May 20, May 14th, excuse me, 2026.

The city council of the city of San Antonio will now meet in executive session to consult with the city attorney's office pursuant to chapter 551 of the Texas government code and to deliberate or discuss the following items.

Economic development negotiations pursuant to Section 551.087, the purchase exchange lease or value of real property pursuant to section 551.072, and legal issues related to litigation involving the city, emergency preparedness and collective bargaining all pursuant to section 551.071.

The time is now 1152 a.m.

on Thursday, May 14th, 2026, and the San Antonio City Council will now reconvene in open session.

No official action was taken in executive session.

The time is now 1152, and this meeting is adjourned.