Turn it up at the heart be hit.

Everybody come aloud when the snake starts to hit by the Alamon down to the river one go.

When I play the drums, everybody say, Whoa!

Shake it!

Move it!

So San Antonio with the rhythm here we go!

Let's go!

Let's go!

sa.gov Diagonal TV S A.

Good morning, good morning.

Council members, we'll get started.

I don't think anybody else was back there anymore.

Councilman.

Okay.

We've got six.

The time is now 9 06 a.m.

on May 21st, and the meeting of the San Antonio City Council is now called to order.

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

Councilmember Corps.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Councilmember Via Gran.

Here.

Councilmember Mungia.

Present.

Councilmember Castillo.

Here.

Councilmember Galvan.

Councilmember Adarete Gavito.

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Present.

Councilmember Spears.

Councilmember White.

Mayor Jones.

Here.

Mayor, we have corn.

Great.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Today's invocator is Monsignor Regoberto S.

De Guzman, who comes from the Diocese of Antipolo.

Arch uh Monsignor, please.

Uh, which is situated east of the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines.

He was ordained a priest on January 25th, 1992.

Your anniversary is coming up.

And received his lessentiante in sacred theology from the Gregor University in 1996 after studying in Rome for two years.

Monsignor Regoberto served as a seminary formator and a theology professor for at least three years before moving to the Cathedral of the Diocese of Antipolo as a rector.

He was the vicar general of that diocese for more than 19 years, serving under the administration of its past four bishops.

In the fall of 2021, after 29 years in the priesthood, uh Monsignor was allowed to attend the ministry to ministers sabbatical program at oblate school of theology.

Negotiations were done between his diocese and the Archdiocese of San Antonio for Monsignor Regoberto to serve as a formator at Assumption Seminary here in San Antonio.

He started his seminary ministry at Assumption in the fall of 2023 and was recently named Vice Rector and Dean of Men.

Monsignor, we're honored by your presence.

Over to you, sir.

Thank you.

So I come from the Philippines.

And these are difficult times for the majority of our people.

And in response, the youth of our country, like the soldiers of Christ, are praying for good governance.

As the common Filipino faces much suffering and hardship nowadays.

So may their prayers combined with ours bless all those who participate in this city council meeting.

So we settle down and make ourselves aware of God's presence and God's grace.

You led your people of Egypt out of Egypt from slavery to freedom.

In Jesus, your son, you led us from death to life, by his passion, death, resurrection, and sending of the Holy Spirit.

We humble ourselves before you.

Stretch forth your mighty hand and lead us in these difficult times.

Let the light of truth shine like a pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, to guide us along the path that leads to unity and peace.

Make justice gush forth like water from the rock, quenching the thirst, especially of the poor, and the marginalized of society, cleansing wounds, and opening the way to healing and reconciliation.

As you fed people with mana in the desert, satisfy our hunger for righteousness, that we may not crave for power and wealth, for selfish gain.

Soften hearts hardened like pharaohs and opened eyes blinded by greed, that our love for our country and our city may triumph over all political loyalties and personal interests.

Help us to learn to see each other not as allies or enemies, but as we truly are, brothers and sisters all called to care for one another.

You inspire us to journey together as one people as we approach the great feast of Pentecost, let our Passover be from cowardice to courage, from division to unity, from despair to hope, from selfishness to love.

May this city council meeting bring us to discover our greatness as a city and as a nation, and our dignity and integrity as a people dear to your heart.

You who live and reign with love and who leads us from death to new life now and forever.

Amen.

Thank you, Monsignor.

Please remain standing and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the minutes?

Motion to approve.

Okay, there's a motion and a second to approve the minutes.

Please vote.

You see core.

The motion carries.

Thank you.

We have a very special anniversary.

We have members of the YMCA here, so please join at the podium while I read this proclamation.

Whereas the City of San Antonio recognizes June 2026 as YMCA Uniting Generations Month and will host Uniting Generations Day on June 6th in celebration of the YMCA's 150 years of continuous service since its founding in 1876.

And whereas the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is the oldest social services nonprofit in San Antonio, supporting generations of families through education, health, and wellness, child care, senior services, and inclusive community programs.

And whereas for more than 150 years, the organization has positively impacted over 3.3 million individuals through life-enriching programs, financial assistance, and sponsored memberships that help all residents thrive regardless of background or income.

And whereas, through its programs, facilities, and partnerships, the YMCA of Greater San Antonio continues to enhance quality of life by creating opportunities for individuals of all ages to learn, grow, and connect throughout the community.

And whereas the YMCA encourages residents to wear red on June 6th in recognition of the YMCA's enduring legacy and in support of their ongoing accessible programs and services.

Now, therefore, I, Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of the City of San Antonio, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 to be YMCA Uniting Generations Month in San Antonio, Texas.

Mr.

Luis Lopez, CEO, you are recognized to speak, sir.

Good morning.

Mayor, City Manager, Council members, city staff, and guests.

On behalf of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, our board of directors, staff, volunteers, and thousands of families that we serve each year.

Thank you for this incredible honor and for recognizing 150 years of YMCA impact in our community.

Since 1876, the YMCA has stood alongside the people of San Antonio through generations of change, growth, challenge, and opportunity.

For a century and a half, the YMCA has been more than a building.

It has been a place where children discover their potential, where families find support, where seniors build connections, and where communities come together with purpose and with hope.

As we celebrate 150, our 150th anniversary under the theme Uniting Generations, we are reminded that the YMCA's greatest strength has always been people.

Neighbors helping neighbors, mentors, guiding youth, families growing stronger together, and communities partnering collectively to improve the quality of life for our residents.

That spirit of partnership is why we are especially grateful for the City of San Antonio's longstanding support and continued investment in organizations that strengthen our communities every day.

Programs supported through initiatives like today's consolidated funding, help provide stability, wellness, opportunity, and hope for children, seniors, and families across San Antonio.

At the YMCA, we see firsthand how access to safe spaces, youth development programs, drowning prevention, mental health support, child care after school care, and wellness initiatives can change lives and improve long-term outcomes for families across our community.

These investments are about more than programs.

They are about creating opportunity, strengthening neighborhoods, and ensuring that every person has a chance to thrive.

As we look towards our future, including the opening of our new Gordon Hartman Family YMCA in 2027, we remain committed to building a healthier, more connected, and more inclusive San Antonio for generations to come.

We are grateful for the city's leadership, vision, and continued partnership in supporting programs and services that make a meaningful difference in our community.

Thank you again for this recognition for your partnership and for believing in the mission of the YMCA.

We are proud to continue serving our community for the next 150 years.

We have also put medals to uh honor our 150 year, although Fiesta might be over, we still celebrate.

So please enjoy the 150th medal.

And in recognition of basketball being created at the YMCA, go Spurs Go.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Lopez.

Um, and my colleagues like to say something.

Councilman Corps.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Luis and team, for everything that you do.

I'm so honored to have the Tri-Point YMCA in District One in the heart of District One and being a part of Cyclovia, I really got to see such amazing community.

It was we loved it when it was on St.

Mary's Street, but it was really fun to see it back on Broadway, and you guys just did an incredible job of showing the excitement in our community for healthy lives.

And I want to thank you all for everything that you do and can't wait to continue to part with you all, partner with you all to expand opportunities for all of our residents.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Viegeran.

Thank you.

I can't have you mention uh the Gordon Hartman YMCA without mentioning the Harvey E.

Najem YMCA that sits on the South Side.

Um thank you so much for what you're doing.

So looking forward to the pitch that's going to be built there.

Uh it has been a place where the community has gathered.

We've seen seniors.

I I'm now one of those members because uh we were I was there at the opening and able to sign up.

So just really looking forward to the next 150 years to seeing how we continue to grow this community and knowing that um there's youth in my neighborhood that 50 years from now will hopefully be sitting at this dais celebrating another uh birthday with the Y.

So thank you so much for all you do, and I I look forward to uh just celebrating all year long.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mungia.

Thank you all for being here.

Congratulations on 150 years.

I mean, how many organizations can say that?

Uh while we don't have a YMCA yet in district four, I'm confident we will someday.

Uh, but it's just fantastic the way you all engage the community uh and just have activities there.

One of somebody on my staff role actually used to work at the YMCA, and he still remembers it fondly, organizing games for kids, and so that's one of his favorite jobs other than working for me, of course.

Uh, but thank you all for being here and congratulations.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Castillo.

Thank you, Mr.

Lopez, for you and your team and all that y'all doing serving San Antonio residents of all ages.

Uh, I'm always eager when you all have an event in the West Side Y and the community building that you all have established.

And in this role as a council member within y'all's West Side Y, I've been able to reconnect with the parents of classmates and reconnect with classmates who have brought their children uh in for the services and programming over at the Y.

So uh just grateful for the multi-generational work that you all do and keeping our community safe and healthy.

And I wanted to share a quick anecdote.

A couple of months ago, I um joined a service for one of our constituents, and we call him coach.

Uh, and at his service, his wife had photos of him just balling, playing basketball.

Like, just and he was draped out in Spurs Gear, University of Chicago gear because that's where his kids went.

Um, but the background was the West Side Y, right?

So thank y'all for providing district five seniors with a place to uh reconnect to be engaged and be healthy.

Uh and I know that was a huge part uh in coach's story was the West Side Wise basketball court.

So just thank y'all so much for that.

Y'all do.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, congratulations, happy birthday.

We celebrated 40th birthdays last week for some of our other nonprofits, but this is a big one.

So uh thank you for all the work that you do.

Um, I was making sure you do not have YMCA in District 8.

So we'd love for you to come by and uh you have one right there in Bernie and right there at Opie Schnabel, but um would love an opportunity to partner with you and um so you can continue to do the good work that you're doing.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Councilmember um White.

Yeah, I echo my colleagues' uh sentiments, amazing work that y'all do.

Congratulations on the anniversary.

Keep it up, San Antonio needs you, San Antonio youth really needs you, and so appreciate all that all that you do for the community.

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Since we're all speaking, um I too will be celebrating my 150th birthday.

Uh, happy birthday.

Uh, congratulations.

Thank y'all for all the work that you do.

Um, I think um I'm thinking about the on the northeast side of the district off Walsham.

Um, the YMCA is one of the only places where families have affordable activities to go do.

And so um I appreciate that uh you play such an important role in uh providing recreational activities, sports, fun, uh, and family friendly activities because again, that's such a big request of my district.

And so thank you all for y'all's service to the community and here's to 150,500 more.

Thank you.

Thank you again.

Yeah, your work is all the more important.

Uh, not only do you have a long legacy of of service, but when you rethink now about the challenges in our community, what's coming down from the federal level, cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Chip, and SNAP.

Your work is only all the more important.

So thank you for the work that you do and you do all throughout our city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, Councilmember Castillo is recognized for a point of personal privilege.

Thank you.

Today, during the 66th annual National Public Works Week, I want to recognize and thank the dedicated professionals in our public works department who keep our city functioning every day.

Public works employees are often the unseen workforce behind essential services residents rely on the most.

They maintain our streets, drainage systems, traffic operations, public facilities, and other critical infrastructure that support the health, safety, and quality of life for the people of San Antonio.

Whether they are responding during a severe weather event, repairing infrastructure, managing capital improvement projects, or ensuring reliable day-to-day public services, these teams work tirelessly on behalf of our community.

The infrastructure facilities and services that we depend on every day would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of the public work professionals at every level.

Today we pay tribute to their substantial contributions to protecting public health and safety and advancing the quality of life for our San Antonians.

And I wanted to highlight that we're here today because I had a really great and impactful meeting with the public works team a couple weeks ago.

And I walked away with so much gratitude, and I was very grateful for the work and leadership that y'all's stormwater team in particular is doing.

Grateful for each and every one of you all.

And I was like, wow, they're doing such great work, and this is such a critical role in protecting lives and property.

And uh I looked up right when is National Public Works Week?

And when I looked it up, that was a big photo of the City of San Antonio's public works team for the work and leadership that you all have established.

So I wanted to hand it over to your team to say a couple of words.

Uh, we're extremely grateful for the work of you all each and every day.

All right, thank you, Mayor and Council and Councilwoman Castillo for highlighting us.

So, National Public Works Week is an opportunity to recognize the people who plan, build, and maintain the city's infrastructure and keep the city moving.

Public Works is one of the few services that touches every resident every day, whether it's through our streets or drainage and traffic systems, or the folks answering and dispatching calls or managing our rights away.

Much of this happens behind the scenes, but it's vitally important to improving the quality of life for our community.

Public works, as you mentioned, our first responders.

It's been a busy week closing roads.

Um we are responding to weather events, emergency events, and traffic events.

One thing I wanted to really highlight though is the infrastructure investments that you all fund and we implement.

It's more than just concrete and asphalt.

It's about the people that depend on them.

These investments are improved uh vitally important to improving our neighborhoods and the quality of life, their economic vitality, economic investment, and growth.

So, lastly, just thank you again for recognizing the team behind me.

This is just a snapshot of the group.

Uh, we're 700 strong men and women out there every day making San Antonio better.

So, thank you.

Thank you.

And why can't name you all?

I really wanted to thank James Hall for his work and leadership as our district five liaison.

So thank you so much, James.

Thank you.

Did you want to say something?

Thank you.

Councilman Corps.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Castillo for bringing this up today.

You guys know how much I think public works truly is the rock stars in the city.

I was reading a book this weekend, and they said second to medicine and education.

Traffic is the number one thing that affects every single one of our residents' lives every single day, which is exactly what Art just said.

So I'm super excited for the work that's ahead and cannot wait to continue to fix all of the sidewalks in the city of San Antonio as we find as we hit the lottery for sidewalks.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Viewedon.

Thank you.

Of course, I some of you know my dad worked for public works.

Well, it was named all sorts of things when he was on the city on city staff for 30 years.

So they started at Rose uh the library over at Roosevelt, then the traffic building over because he worked traffic with the traffic lights over on Cherry Street, and I always get excited when they kind of highlight you guys because I think about my dad and the effort and the coordination.

And I think it's the only department where you guys are doing traffic.

You have engineers, you have construction people all trying to work together and get these projects done.

And so many um moving parts, and it was so funny because when we think about sports analogies, what does this look like?

Is this a basketball game?

Is this a football game?

And somebody said it's a hockey game because you never get a break, and that truly is public work.

So thank y'all so much for your efforts, and thank you, uh Councilman Castillo for recognizing all their hard work and efforts, and we look forward to you just continuing to improve and do a better job.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Muchia.

Public works.

I'm so glad you guys are being recognized today.

Uh, I've worked with so many of you for so many years, and I was joking with y'all earlier.

I said, I'm used to seeing y'all on the street talking about sidewalk issue.

Uh so you know, we have been out there many times.

Carlo, Ferdos, Anthony.

Y'all have been in D4, you've been sweating out on the street with me before, talking about sidewalk, negotiating with you to try to get a retained wall or an extra driveway approach.

Um, and y'all are just fantastic.

And Jessica, of course, with with you know everything that you do, uh, and of course, Marco's in Genevieve.

Um, so you know, we our office runs y'all pretty hard, right?

We every day there's a public works issue in D4, and y'all always respond.

Uh, and you're very, very kind to our residents.

The best part is when I take you out there, and the guy who's complaining was a public works employee, and he's like, you know, you can't tell me you can't do this, or it's this asphalt, not that asphalt.

So uh just appreciate y'all always being out there, and every time I ask y'all to come out to uh a site visit, you guys show up.

Uh so I really really appreciate that.

Thank you so much for all the work you do.

Thank you, Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

Thank y'all, love you banches.

Councilmember Alter of the Gabito.

Thank you.

Uh thank you to Councilwoman Castillo for uh initiating this.

But yes, I I'm gonna just quickly echo my my colleagues' comments.

Y'all are amazing.

We run y'all hard too.

Thank you for being uh patient with us.

Thank you for being patient with our residents.

And um, I it but I will say this is one of the best parts of the job when we're able to deliver um to residents something that they've been asking for.

I mean, we were just talking about sidewalks on Sanisa, and these residents have been asking.

They feel and it's probably true that they've been asking for it for 50 years, right?

So it's awesome when when we're able to uh make things happen in partnership with you all for them.

So thank you for all your well.

Uh we know you're relatively new back coming uh coming to the city, but um I have seen just how important your work is, and in particular one when it comes to budget sessions in the districts, and you do a great job, sir, of explaining to folks kind of why things are the way that they are, when they can expect to see a change.

So we know you're gonna get pretty pretty pretty busy here, uh, not only with the budget but also with the bond, um, as well as when we're looking at those projects that um may need to be considered at the state level uh for additional funding.

So thank you for all the work that you do.

So, okay.

Um Eric over to you for a uh city manager's report.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

So our city managers uh update this after this morning is a um spotlight on another very important department, uh, our parks and recreation department, and highlights two employees that um really work uh as part of a larger team to maintain our parks.

Uh, with over 250 city owned parks uh maintaining uh and cleaning and ensuring that those uh areas are safe.

Um it is a huge team effort, and I know all of you are certainly aware of the the work this team does.

Um, both Crystal and Israel, uh, who you'll see in the spotlight video, um, do a great job and and we're lucky to have them.

So let's roll the video.

My role here is maintenance worker.

I go to my parts, maintain the parks for the community, keeping it a safe zone for families to come out and enjoy and have a good day.

My row as a crew leader is to provide daily support to the crews.

We create schedules for the crews based on uh daily use for parts.

I personally uh do walkthroughs at the parks and uh make sure our parks are up to standards.

This weekend is a holiday weekend for us, which is the hardest weekend.

We have a lot of travelers, we have a lot of people that come out to the parks to reserve.

Families coming together, barbecuing, cascarone hunting, and happing out, enjoying the great outdoors San Antonio provides.

What a lot of people don't see is what takes place after the celebration.

We have crews picking up all the trash that is being left behind.

Just putting our park back to standards within one day, pretty much so the families could keep on enjoying it for the rest of the weeks.

Um, the most gratifying aspect of my job is keeping my parts clean, making it a safe zone for people to enjoy, and knowing that my job is worth doing.

My department exemplifies teamwork by working together, getting the job done, and making the parts clean for the public to enjoy.

I believe our parks and recreations department writes itself in integrity because even though our patrons don't see how much work it takes on a daily basis to keep our parks clean, our teams are here daily.

What I enjoy best about working for the city of San Antonio parks and recreations is creating memories for families, parents bring in their children.

Grandparents now bring in their groundchildren, which is a generational memory that we're a part of.

That's it.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Eric.

Uh there are no individual items scheduled for today.

Items five through eighteen 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.

Um I understand Councilmember Mungia uh is going to has requested a separate vote on item 18 so he may recuse himself from voting on funds for Guardian House.

Okay.

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

Okay.

Hearing none.

Okay.

We have two individuals signed up to speak on the remainder of the uh of the consent agenda, minus number 18.

Uh the first person is Ellen Clark.

Ellen Clark, you have three minutes.

Ellen Clark.

Okay.

James McKnight.

Okay, no longer needed.

Okay.

Those are the only individuals signed up to speak on the remainder of the consent agenda.

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

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

Are there any highlights or questions about the consent agenda from any of the council members?

Okay.

Other than Councilman Castillo, Council.

Okay.

Councilman Castillo, you're recognized.

Thank you.

This morning I would like to highlight an item on behalf of Councilmember Rick Galvan, item number 12, which is the appointment of Cassandra Tyson to the Small Business Advisory Commission.

Cassandra Tyson is a proud Air Force brat.

When asked where she is, where she is from, her definitive answer is you'll soy de San Antonio.

Cassandra is a small business owner who makes artisan jewelry and a line of body butter.

She's also a licensed insurance professional.

Councilman Galan says thank you so much for stepping up and being here today.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Alderte Gabito.

Thank you.

I'd like to highlight item number five, which is approving a construction contract for pedestrian improvements along Calibra Road from Bandera to General McMullen.

This project borders District 7 and District 5 and will have a huge impact on safety and walkability along of one of San Antonio's San Antonio's busiest corridors.

This project has been supported by neighbors in the Calebra Park and Thunderbird Hills neighborhood associations, and I'm happy to see much needed improvements on this corridor come to life.

According to the city's Vision Zero report, Calibra Road is one of the most dangerous roads in San Antonio.

So not only are these improvements to a long range investment on our west side, but they are also a matter of life and death for pedestrians and bicyclists.

I look forward to the completion of this project and to continue prioritizing the safety of our residents.

Thank you.

Thank you.

There being no further discussion, there's a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda minus item 18.

Please vote.

The motion carries.

Thank you.

We'll move on to item 18 as it was pulled for recusal by Councilmember Mungia.

Madam Clerk, please read the caption.

Item number 18 is an ordinance approving a total amount not to exceed 19,274,266 in consolidated funding awards with human services and homeless services and strategy delegate agencies for a 16-month contract term from June 1st, 2026 to September 30th, 2027, with an option to renew through September 30th, 2028 contingent on City Council approval of the annual budget.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

We have several uh community members here to speak.

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

And the first person is Kayla Carter.

We'll have three minutes to speak.

Groups of three or more will have a total of nine minutes.

Mayor Jones and members of City Council.

My name is Kayla Carter.

I am the CEO and founder of Forher, a community of women and allies delivering transformational change through shared knowledge and resources since 2013.

For over 13 years, for her has provided trauma-informed mental health care and wellness services, economic empowerment, and community building opportunities for women across every zip code and every district in every income bracket in San Antonio.

We specifically serve survivors of violence.

And with San Antonio holding the highest rates of rape and murder among all major Texas cities, these women deserve stable, reliable support.

Our approach doesn't just address symptoms, we address root causes, so women move beyond needing our services into flourishing lives.

That means fewer emergency calls on already stretched police forces and lower long-term costs to the city.

This is upstream, cost effective work.

We are a vital part of the ecosystem of support, receiving referrals from other delegate agencies that are currently funded.

I want to share one voice in our community, Carrie 32, who is from San Antonio, who couldn't be here today, but she had signed up to speak last week.

In fact, we had 10 community members sign up to speak last week on our behalf.

I started receiving services at Forher in May of 2025.

I began attending their trauma-informed yoga, which combined with my recovery meetings has been instrumental in helping me heal from an abusive situation that I left.

Before yoga, I had nightmares, nausea, and I felt hopeless.

I'm forever grateful for the free resources for her has provided me.

Combined with therapy, I am doing better one day at a time.

Thank you for her.

That is what this investment produces.

As DHS has noted in their own report last month for our services, for her is changing lives and creating opportunities for connection to help women heal and transform.

Our performance review had nothing but positive feedback.

Our track record, we are on track to hit or exceed our performance targets for this last contract.

Our outcomes are measurable.

91% of those in our support groups report improved mental health.

34% report improved economic status inside of a year of service.

And when we add on child care for mothers, participation has jumped up 58%.

Our clients show up when we've removed the barriers.

We received a 90.6 out of 100, ranking 16th out of the 125 proposed projects that were submitted to DHS consolidated funding category citywide.

This work is personal.

We have a personal responsibility to uphold women that we are serving and to make sure that there are no gaps in services.

So I just ask that you continue to invest and believe in the resilience of women that we serve.

Invest in our communities that turn surviving into thriving and vote yes on agenda number item number 18.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Bethany Anderson.

Oh, okay.

Good morning, Councilmembers and Mayor.

My name is Bethany Anderson.

Today I'm here with community member May Zarniki.

She is a small business owner, proud District 2 resident, and member of LSA Class 50.

This is the testimony she has prepared for you today as a plea for your support and funding for her.

Quote: I am here today because of the safety and security I've created for myself through the support of ForHER, and because I want my council members to put a face to who is actually at stake in this funding decision.

When I was first connected with For Her, I was not in the position I am in today.

For her offered me a path forward I couldn't find anywhere else, a path that surveys and outcome metrics are not designed to measure.

Arriving in San Antonio in 2021, as a survivor of domestic violence, I attended For Her Single Moms Group to develop community in New City.

Experiencing job instability throughout 2022, common with the rigorous requirements accompanying many social service applications, I used for her's community co-working space to fill out mountains of paperwork.

After sexual assault, I was able to utilize over a year of no cost therapy to aid in my healing.

This year after year reliability is exactly what makes the difference for women like me.

I am unsure what chart can accurately demonstrate we have advocated for this community member too.

She can confidently advocate for herself and others.

But I stand before you today as evidence that it happens and is invaluable.

For her has a proven track record.

The city's own evaluation reflects that.

The recommendation from the Department of Human Services is now on record.

I'm asking each of you to affirm it.

Funding for her is not a leap of faith, it's an investment in something that is already working.

If this city is serious about protecting women and children, then the recovery programming that helps them rebuild their lives has to be a part of that commitment.

You cannot ask organizations like for her to do more with less year after year when the proof that they are delivering stands before you.

Thank you.

John Bustamante, followed by Stephanie Finleon Cortez and then Fatima Espinoza.

City Council, my name is John Bustamante.

Today I'm here to ask that you retain funding for her at the $50,000 annual level that is currently before you in item 18.

For her is an impactful local program combating the long-term effects of domestic and sexual violence in San Antonio.

I am a proud San Antonian, a proud resident of District 5, and the proud father to two daughters.

I am not proud, however, of the history and prevalence of domestic and sexual violence in this city.

I know that each of you are determined that we, as a city, address this violence and its effects and its source.

This long-term care is critical to ensure that the survivors of violence don't merely get by but thrive in our communities.

As you heard from Ms.

Carter and from the story told on behalf of my friend May, for her has a proven track record providing long-term counseling services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence in this city.

This is reflected in the city's final scoring matrix.

For her scored remarkably well.

Within three points of the next five applicants, within 0.6 points of the two nearest applicants, and 0.2 points from the closest applicant out of 100 total points.

For her is a program that we need in our community, especially for those who may not feel comfortable going to the county or the church for these services.

For her is a program worth supporting.

And if you want to demonstrate that this city is serious about addressing domestic and sexual violence, this council should support it.

Please ensure that this worthwhile program keeps the funding that is offered to them.

I, of course, hope that my daughters will never need the services provided by for her.

But if they do, I'm thankful that for her is here in our city, and I'm asking you to fund it for my daughters and all the daughters of San Antonio.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Stephanie Finlion Cortez.

Followed by Fatima Espinoza and then Jessica Smith Perry.

Good morning.

Thank you, Mayor Jones, City Council members, city staff for your continued support of the nonprofit community and for youth serving organizations like Girl Scouts.

I'm Stephanie Finley on Cortez.

I'm the chief development officer for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.

We have locations in District 9 and District 5, and we have members in all 10 city council members' districts.

I would like to see the rest of my time to one of our young Girl Scout alums, Rachel.

Good morning.

My name is Rachel Sherman.

I was a Girl Scout for 12 years, and I just finished my freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin.

The mission of Girl Scouts is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

And in my experience, that mission is absolutely true.

First is courage.

Girl Scouts gave me a safe and supportive environment to try new things, take risks, and explore my interests without fear of failure, whether it was through troop activities, council programming, or summer camp, I was constantly encouraged to step outside of my comfort zone.

This sense of courage and the opportunity to explore my interests ultimately led me to pursue my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts.

For my project, I focused on environmental education and climate change, and through that experience, I didn't just complete a project, I discovered a passion.

I am now a sustainability major on the pre-law track with the goal of becoming an environmental lawyer.

Second, confidence.

Girl Scouts gave me real opportunities to lead, whether that was within my troop or in the broader community.

I wasn't just encouraged to be a leader, I was expected to take initiative and use my voice.

Girl Scouts also gave me countless opportunities to be surrounded by strong community leaders, specifically strong female leaders.

These weren't just people I looked up to, they were examples of what leadership could look like in my own life and helped me envision myself as a community leader.

Third, character.

Girl Scouts taught me the importance of giving back and caring about others in a very intentional way.

At the core of Girl Scouts is the Girl Scout Promise in Law, which emphasized serving others, being responsible, and making ethical decisions in everyday life.

Those values aren't just words Girl Scouts learn, they are something we practice in how we treat each other, lead projects, and show up in our communities.

And I now carry those values with me into adulthood.

Access to high-quality out-of-school programs like Girl Scouts changes outcomes for young people.

They stay engaged in school, develop their strengths, and begin to envision futures that include college and meaningful careers.

These outcomes are also smart investments in our city.

When young people are supported, they grow into engaged, capable leaders who give back to their communities.

That's why I support the proposed funding allocations.

I encourage you to continue investing in programs like Girl Scouts because an investment in young people is an investment in our city's future.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Fatima Espinosa.

Followed by Jessica Smith Perry and then Gabriel Gabrielle, excuse me, Guzman.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mayor Jones and Council members.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here representing Avance San Antonio.

My name is Fatima Espinoza, and I serve as a parent-child education manager for Avance San Antonio.

Our mission is to walk alongside children and families to achieve social and economical justice.

Avance was founded 53 years ago here in San Antonio.

And since then, the growth has been impressed.

Currently, we are national recognized model for the model for early childhood in panning engagement.

We are proud of this legacy that belongs to San Antonio, and we continue serving the families in San Antonio, all around the city.

At the heart of the work is the parent child education program, or PCP, a two-generation approach that supports both parents and children together through parenting education, early learning activities, home visits, toy making classes, and connections with the community resources around the city that we provide for the parents, and they gain that confidence and receive the tools to become the child's first teacher and the strongest advocate for them.

The outcomes are clear.

97% of the families participating in the program, they express that they are highly satisfied with that program, and they will be referring that program to other families.

Children also thrive.

They meet or exceed that key developmental milestone.

So I'm talking about cognitive physical language in those areas that components as a whole child.

In the next two weeks, over seven handed families between patents and children will be crossing the stage graduating from the program.

This milestone is possible because of collaborations, partnerships, and continued support of leaders like you, who recognize the importance of supporting families early.

We also are proud of partnering with school districts like San Antonio Independent School District and Harland Independent School Districts, that help bring these services directly into the communities when the families need it the most.

Hi, good morning.

Um, as our families continue to progress and grow, we our support continues with them.

So our Camino's offer program is where they can have access to uh workforce development, career uh exploration, and other support services to help them gain long-term um mobility and opportunities.

So, ma'am, are you Jessica Smith Perry?

You are not.

Okay, okay.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Jessica Smith Perry, followed by Gabrielle Guzman and then Diana Flores.

Good morning, Mayor Jones and Council members.

Excuse me.

My name is Jessica Smith Perry, and um, I think maybe a few of us are having trouble talking today because of all the screaming with the Spurs games.

Uh I serve on the executive team for the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio.

I'm here with deep gratitude for your consideration of funding, continuing to fund our city's vital youth serving organizations.

San Antonio has always been a city that believes in family opportunity and community.

Nonprofit partnerships, the services that we provide are essential to San Antonio's present and future.

Every day, organizations across our community provide young people with safe places, caring adults, academic support, mental health supports, fun, uh, meals, and more, ultimately the chance to succeed.

During the hours after school and during breaks, when many parents are still working or looking for work, these programs provide safety, stability, and connection for children who might otherwise go without.

I want to tell you about a couple of these children.

When Connor came to us in second grade, he could barely read.

Through the consistent support and encouragement of staff, he found excuse me, he founded the club.

He worked hard.

And by third grade, his teacher told us that he'd become the leading reader in his class.

His parents credit the club with helping open doors for his future.

That transformation is about more than literacy.

It's about confidence, belonging, a child learning to believe that he is capable of more.

One of our young people, who I'll call Whitney, tried to end her life recently.

The following day, still with thoughts of ending her life, she told her boys and girls club counselor, the only person she felt safe telling.

That counselor and the team rallied around her and her family.

Excuse me.

Got her into treatment and is continuing to support her and her siblings who also come to the club.

These are not extras or unnecessary services.

They are preventative investments that we need today, and we need to continue.

Every dollar invested in boys and girls' clubs returns more than $12 in economic benefit to our community.

That is the power of investing in our youth early.

The kids we invest in today will become the workforce, the leaders and our neighbors who shape San Antonio's tomorrow.

I respectfully ask you to support the full consolidated funding recommendation for our youth-serving organizations.

Boys and girls clubs of San Antonio and all of my peer organizations who are here today.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Gabrielle Guzman, Diana Flores, please make your way behind the speaker, and then Jeremy Maginel would be the next speaker.

Three minutes, thank you.

Good morning, Mayor Jones and City Council members.

Thank you for your continued commitment to nonprofits, youth certain, youth-serving organizations, and specifically the boys and girls clubs of San Antonio.

Your investment helps provide young people with safe spaces, positive mentors, academic support, meals, and opportunities that strengthen families and communities across our city.

My name is Gabrielle Guzman, and I stand before you today, not only as a staff member of the Boys and Girls Clubs, but as someone whose life was personally changed because of this organization.

When I was younger, the club was more than just a building for my for me and my siblings.

It was our safe place, a place where we could simply be kids without worrying about what was happening outside those doors.

It was where we received hot meals, support, encouragement, and stability during some of the most important years of our lives.

The club gave us opportunities many families cannot always access on their own.

Through tutoring, mentorship, and leadership programs, we learned confidence, responsibility, and how to believe in our potential.

The club did not just keep us safe after school, it helped prepare us for our future.

And I can honestly say the person I am today was shaped by the guidance, support I received at the Boys and Girls Club.

Now as an adult, I have the privilege of seeing that same impact happen every day here for youth in San Antonio.

Families across our city come through our doors looking for the same thing my family once did safety, opportunity, and hope for their children's future.

Every afternoon, parents are able to work knowing their children are in a safe and supportive environment.

Students receive tutoring and academic support that strengthen both their education and confidence.

And for some members, the meals they receive by the club is more than dinner.

It is consistent consistency, care, and comfort they can count on.

That happens inside our clubs reaches far beyond school hours.

We are helping shape future leaders, teachers, business owners, and engaged members of this community.

These outcomes are not just individual successes.

They are investments in a safer, healthier, and stronger San Antonio.

That is why I strongly support the proposed funding allocated before you today.

The funding represents a proactive investment in a long-term success of our youth, families, and community.

Today I ask you to continue viewing nonprofit funding as a partnership in building the future of our city.

The decisions made in this room have the power to change the trajectory of a child's life, just as the boys and girls club changed mine.

With your support, we can continue ensuring that no child is left without a safe place to go after school, a caring mentor who believes in them, or the opportunity to dream beyond their circumstances.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued commitment to the children and families of San Antonio.

Thank you.

Diana Flores.

Diana Flores.

Diana, would you like to?

Yes.

Followed by Jeremy Maginell and then Jack Finger.

Good morning.

I'm here to uh say that a lot of our people are afraid to come in and speak on a lot of stuff that being done to them wrongfully.

And uh all this congestion and everything that goes around in the city, developing Texas going up, and you know, a lot of these homeless, they can't, you know, deal with the problems, so they wind up losing their jobs and all that, winding homeless.

I think a lot of this is because y'all don't put into it enough.

Instead, y'all take out, and they would live happier if they would uh be given, you know, uh stability, you know, helping them out.

Yes, they're afraid.

I have a note I want to read to you, and uh hopefully y'all put I'm glad that you're you know, funding this, uh housing and home for the homeless or what you know, but he needs more money, y'all give out more debates, you know, for the developers, uh, give them text breaks, but uh put it into the housing for the homeless, for the holy trinity.

I don't know if y'all ever heard this prayer.

For the holy trinities, God and Jesus together and the holy spirit all wrapped up in one father, son, and the holy spirit.

You are protected, you are perfect love.

You draw me into your life, making me a gift of your mutual love.

Thank you for this immense gift.

May your spirit draw within me, and everyone all around who hears this prayer so that your divine self-giving may be glorious, an abundance.

God bless y'all and y'all big care.

Have a great day.

Thank you.

Jeremy Maginell, followed by the final speaker, Jack Finger.

Good morning, mayor, city managers, city council members, and staff.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the people of this city and for your decision to dedicate funding to delegate agencies doing critical work across our community.

My name is Jeremy Manjanel, and I am the interim executive director for SA Youth.

I know these decisions are not easy.

Budgets are tight everywhere right now at SA Youth.

We understand that firsthand.

Every organization, every department, and honestly every family is being asked to do more with less.

So I want you to know that this investment does not go unnoticed.

Since 1984, SA Youth has served young people across San Antonio.

We are not a national organization.

We are a local grassroots nonprofit focused on meeting the city and the youth in the city where it's at.

And we do this in the heart of the 7827 on the historic west side.

As a result, for the last five years, through our SOAR program, we have built a model that re-engages more than 100 opportunity youth every year in education and workforce preparation, combined with robust case management and both individual and group therapy, all at no cost to the individuals that we serve.

And we do this via collaborative efforts with other community partners, including Goodwill, YWCA, Center for Healthcare Services, Healthy Futures of Texas, and Juvenile Probation, to name a few.

Our students come from more than 55 zip codes across Bear County, representing every single city council district, and while their stories are different, many of them have experienced the same things: instability, hardship, trauma, homelessness, poverty, or simply feeling like the system gave up on them.

But they have not given up on themselves.

And honestly, sometimes all it takes is one person, one program, or one second chance to for a young person to completely change the trajectory of their life because opportunity youth need us.

But the truth is we need them too.

These young adults, an estimated 36,000 of them in our city are part of San Antonio's future workforce, future parents, future leaders, and future taxpayers.

The US Department of Education found that the average high school dropout cost the economy approximately $272,000 over their lifetime through lower tax contributions, higher public assistance usage, and increased involvement with the criminal justice system.

And the employment and the unemployment rate for individuals without a diploma is nearly double that of graduates.

So when we invest in programs like SOAR and organizations like SA Youth, we are not just funding programs.

We are strengthening the future of San Antonio.

We are reducing future burdens on taxpayers.

We are creating opportunity, stability, and hope.

And maybe most importantly, we are sending a message to these young people that they are not alone, not forgotten, and not abandoned, that they matter, that they are worth investing in.

And that's in San Antonio, we believe in second chances.

We also understand that you all have difficult decisions to make regarding where these funds go and how they can best serve our community.

So we appreciate all of the effort that you're putting in and making these decisions.

Thank you again for your time, your service, and your support of our youth.

And finally, go Spurs Go.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Our final speaker, Jack Finger.

Jack Finger.

Okay.

Is there a motion to approve item 18, save and accept for funding for Guardian House?

I make a motion to approve.

Core seconded.

Core seconded.

Yeah.

Okay.

We have a couple of folks that would like to speak.

Councilmember Aldrate Gavito.

Thank you.

Um I'm in support of approving these items today, but I'm I'm not comfortable with continuing the status quo moving forward.

I respect the competitive process and the hard work that everyone on the evaluation committee has put into this, but I strongly believe that we need to consider an overhaul to this process.

We have talked about this in the past, and it is, and it is important that when we look at the millions of dollars that the city is investing in delegate agency funding, that we are moving the needle on issues.

Here right now, today we're giving $50,000 contracts to nearly a third of the programs.

And a lot of these programs also do similar work.

So I wonder, I I feel a larger conversation needs to be had about consolidating efforts or a shared services model for our nonprofits.

Additionally, I do think we need to be looking at the financial stability, the longevity, and the governance when we are making these decisions on our delegate agencies.

So I am comfortable with funding these contracts through fiscal year 2027, with the caveat that city council and city staff strategize an overhaul to this process between now and the end of these contracts.

So with that, I move to amend the delegate agency contracts to remove the option to extend through fiscal year 2028.

I'm offering this amendment so that between now and the end of fiscal year 2027, council will hold a strategy session to discuss how to best allocate delegate agency funding beginning in fiscal year 2028.

This discussion will also include engagement with major philanthropic partners to identify how to better coordinate and strategically align our investments, particularly given the funding, the current funding levels that are not guaranteed beyond fiscal year 2027.

Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez and I have agreed to take the lead on organizing the session and will work with appropriate partners to make it happen.

There's a motion and a second uh to amend item 18.

Clerk, please summarize exactly the uh the amendment and the impact.

The amendment is to remove the option to extend the contracts through fiscal year twenty-eight.

These would only apply then to fiscal year twenty seven.

Fiscal year twenty-seven, okay.

Okay.

Well, ma'am, uh I'm sorry to jump in, but I is it fiscal year twenty seven or twenty eight, Debbie.

You said twenty eight, clerk.

So they would be funded currently, I think it's 16 months total, right?

The end of this fiscal year and then for all of 2027.

Correct.

That's what that's so your amendment does.

So my amendment is saying before we even put a penny towards fiscal year 2028, we're gonna have that strategy session.

So just to clarify that the item before you is funding for the agencies through the rest of this this year, fiscal year 26, fiscal year 27, and and an option to extend to f fiscal year 28.

That's the current item right now.

Your amendment is to remove that 2028, fiscal year 28 year.

Yes, ma'am.

And then we'd hold a strategy session to discuss that going forward.

May I refine my one?

Yeah, one second.

Sorry, who oh, go ahead, Les.

Please just to be abundantly clear, this applies to the entirety of all delegated agencies, and we have the one that's pulled for recusal.

So we just want to be sure that this is encompasses the guardian house component as well.

Yes, you need to make a different amendment for that.

Um what she said is fine.

Okay, so it would apply to the guardian house uh the guardian house item, okay.

Okay, um, so we will discuss the amendment.

Um have folks signed in to that would like to speak on the amendment, okay.

Councilman Viegran.

Yeah, thank you.

I am in support of the amendment, and I want to thank uh councilwoman uh Mes Gonzalez and Councilman uh Aladetta Gavita for taking the lead.

I would like a timeline before we break for um July, if y'all could give that to us in terms of when we're gonna have this meeting, just so our delegate agencies understand what the timeline is so that they can start preparing for that.

So uh if we could get that before before we head to vacation on July or sort of vacation, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you.

Councilman Mugheo.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I do understand the need to do this, and I'll I'll be supportive of this only because I think uh it's an opportunity I would hope for the nonprofits to also add their input on the process, uh, because I think there's been a lot of um discussion about it up here, but not necessarily as much with the nonprofits who apply for this.

And I think we also need to be very uh intentional with upstream, downstream, and midstream efforts because I don't think we're separating that out right now within the pots.

So Melody, could you come up here real quick and just confirm?

So within like the um, you know, one of the buckets for education uh financial literacy, you don't separate which nonprofits are applying for upstream, downstream, midstream efforts.

No, no, we could probably we could go through their scopes of work as we're negotiating contracts and identify that, but it would be after the fact, and I think that would be good because that I want to make sure that just because you know, three different entities are accepting money or we're we're just giving money to three separate entities within one bucket, that they're not necessarily all doing the same thing with that money.

So I think for purposes of our discussion, I'd like to see that within the programs that we're approving today.

Just so you know, in some cases it may say, hey, these are very similar programs being done by three folks.

That's a consolidation type conversation.

But if three folks are doing three different things and serving three different types of populations, um, then I think we just need to note that uh and continue to solve those issues.

I do think hopefully with different leadership at the county, hopefully there'll be more consideration cross collaboration with how we do nonprofit funding.

I think theirs is a little bit uh not as organized, right as this one.

Uh so I think it's opportunity to do that as well.

Okay, and so um because agencies are are not awarded what they asked for, we'll be doing those contract negotiations, and we'll put together a profile that includes are they upstream, downstream, the actual number of clients by council district uh and provide that to council as soon as possible.

I think maybe with a deeper dive would actually uh necessitate uh us investing more into these nonprofits with the work that they do.

So uh thank you, Melody, appreciate it.

Thank you, Councilmember Corps.

Thank you, Mayor.

I want to thank all of the nonprofits that came out to speak today.

I know you guys are giving up time with your organizations that do so much important work.

You know, you have a so many of us that are fierce advocates for the work that you do because truly, without that, we don't know exactly what would happen to all of those kids that you're supporting all of the women that you're supporting, all the folks in our community that really really need you.

And the mayor mentioned it earlier with all these federal cuts coming down.

I think now more than ever, rather than getting on the federal state bandwagon of cutting funding from our nonprofits.

I think we need to stand firmer and say we are here for you all and be that force in the ground that you can then go take to funders and see City of San Antonio actually believes in our work.

They are supporting us and that, and then you're able to fundraise and actually go out and raise all the additional funds because as a reminder, we are a very small portion of y'all's budget, but a meaningful portion of the budget because it shows institutional support, and so to all my colleagues, I think it's very important that we continue to invest in these folks.

I had a chance to go visit SA Youth With Jeremy's program, and my God, the work they do there, they literally put a graduation cap on kids as they walk into the door because they are showing them you are going to graduate and you are going to have an opportunity.

And he shared with me a story of a kid that actually will just come sit sit in front of the doors the day the day they have like a challenging time at home.

So that kind of support that's being wrapped around our kids is incredible.

And what would happen to that child if they didn't have that program?

Where would they end up?

Um, so I just think it's incredibly important that I understand the conversation around there are some situations where I think there could be shared services model.

I think how many of you guys have a hard time hiring a CFO?

I mean, goodness, it is so hard to find someone that wants to take a financial background and go out and support in the nonprofit.

It's really just like you wanting to do it for a good cause.

But things like that, I think we could get a little bit more strategic around.

One thing is bus transportation, like there's so many folks that do great after school programs.

I know some nonprofits have the funding and ability to do bus transportation, but not everybody does.

So if you want a kid to actually get into that program, you have to figure out how to get them there.

And so I think we could think more strategically about how to create collaboration.

Maybe with the via program that we now have for free rides for kids, maybe we figure out a way to create that as a connection to free rides for after school programs.

And so, um, I just want to reiterate that the additional funding, I want to thank city staff because the reason we pulled this last week was because we were able to get an additional 150K over the next fiscal year that was added to this budget from remaining of funds from the budget from last year to be able to fund for her to be able to fund Urban Champions Academy and to be able to fund Empower House.

So three organizations doing really great work.

Um so thank you all for being creative in figuring out how to make that happen because we we know the work that they're doing is important, and we couldn't really get the right justification for why it wasn't being funded.

But going back to the point around, I want to shout out council member Missa Gonzalez actually had this idea earlier this year to create um to to figure out how a better way to do our funding.

And um, city staff works so incredibly hard, but they're working in 10 different directions, and this kind of grant making is not the 100% thing that the DHS department does.

And so it is when we're asking all these metric questions, it's difficult to be able to see those results, to be able to see why decisions are made, and oftentimes we're relying on partners for information that are already in the space, and so sometimes we do get into this like there is we are all a team, you can see everybody's here a team, but there is sometimes a little bit of a competitive nature because there's only so much funding, and so it's really hard to like really continue to stay supportive, but at the same time know that we're competing for the same funds, and so that that requires just special talent, and um, but it also makes it really hard for staff because when they're hearing something from partners, it's important that we're making sure we're taking a comprehensive look at the way that we are funding and really justifying our decisions with data and metrics.

So I'll I'll say one more time that the one thing that, you know, we have uh folks from our leaders from a partnership here as well, and they understand why they were removed from this funding process right now, but the work they do around data and metrics is super important.

So I'd love, and Councilmember Galvan has been really at putting this in the educational opportunities committee meeting, but I'd love for us to be able to highlight where are the students and the families that you all are serving, where are they coming from?

How much money are we putting into the West Side?

How much money are we putting into district one, et cetera?

And that way we can see where our dollars are actually going and then the results that we're seeing in those neighborhoods, right?

So I wanna be able to track that data, and I know we are moving towards it, and I know you guys have it.

It's just about consolidating and making the process easy enough to make sure that it is replicable and um not requiring so much manual labor.

So we'll keep working through that.

And so I'm grateful for the conversation that will be upcoming because I do think we can get to a place where we're not having, I'm like we're not having to go back and forth on you know a PO box being a local zip code.

And so I think we can get to a place where we don't have to um go through that.

But again, want to say thank you to all of those that are here and that came out in support, and then just for a quick second, send a moment of gratitude.

Many of you all know Hugh Farr, who has been one of the biggest advocates for Big Brothers, Big Sisters for so many years.

He just had a really um challenging heart procedure uh this week.

And so he's recovering well, he's walking and he's sitting, and I'm sure he's watching, but um these people dedicate their whole lives to our kiddos.

And if you've been to a Big Brothers Big Sisters event or heard them speak, you know how much that mentorship changes the trajectory of lives.

So I just wanted to send a little bit of gratitude and love for him healing up well and know that we're here supporting his organization that he works so hard for today.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Castillo.

Thank you.

Just wanted to thank all the individuals who gave public comment on behalf of their delegate agency.

I think you all did a great job articulating the impact and value that each of your nonprofit organizations bring to the city of San Antonio.

Um what was evident is that when we talk about uh the city of San Antonio's mission, whether it's our economic strategic framework, essay forward, our public safety plans that you all are hitting on those points.

And what I really valued uh what each and every one of you hit on today was if we are going to prioritize public safety, that also includes the aftercare, the continuum care for victims of violence.

Uh, and that work is being done by organizations like you all.

Uh and I wanted to highlight, I think uh Jeremy, you also did a really great job tying into the impact and role of not just SAUs, but painted the picture for the importance and impact of our delegate agencies and the role that you all play and within your public comment, right?

I heard strict our economic strategic framework, how uh we're connecting folks to work and opportunity.

I heard the SA forward plan and our public safety plans all within your comment, right?

And I think the value of having uh the the conversation that uh council member Adagavito and Mesa Gonzalez are going to facilitate is to highlight, right?

What are those intersections?

And I know you all are doing that work, but that may not be the case for every delegate agency, and how can we be strategic with our limited dollars?

Um, but just grateful for the impact that you all are making, and I look forward to the strategic conversation.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh thank you to all the nonprofits that are here today and for the work that you do in our communities.

Um there's so many ideas that we talk about on the dais and in committee meetings, and it wouldn't happen without our nonprofit partners and our philanthropic partners.

So I'm excited for this um strategy session.

I'm excited for to approve the funding today.

But as we move forward on this strategy session, because it is a small percent of our budget, but the impact is much greater.

And I think um we continue to support these agencies because uh not despite the economic challenges that we face, but really in part because of those challenges, right?

So we know that you guys are boots on the ground, um, our boots on the ground at the city are probably public works, I would say, uh, but you're that for uh so many members of our community.

So this might be the first time a CCR gets done before we go through a CCR process.

So I'm excited about that.

Um I was talking about this during pre-solicitation because I think it's important that we support this work, but who best in this community um can help us do it the right way and the most efficient way, and I think those are our philanthropic partners like Krunkowski and United Way, right?

I mean, they're doing this every single day, and so I'm look forward again to this conversation and look forward to supporting this item.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember White.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I I also want to thank uh councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez and uh Councilwoman Aldrette Gavito for for the amendment.

Um it's much needed, and and I've been talking about this uh for a little while, and but thanks to y'all's leadership to to get this on the dice today because we we do need um to dig in here and have an overall strategy on on what we are doing with this delegate agency funding.

Um what councilman Mungia said a few minutes ago I think is is so accurate.

You know, we have overlap with with some of these groups, we need to better determine where we're spending our money uh upstream, downstream, in which particular um areas, and so there's a lot to do there.

Um so I will be supporting the amendment, but I will not be voting for um the underlying item, and I just briefly want to explain why.

Um first and foremost, all of these nonprofit organizations do really phenomenal work.

Um for her, which is in my district, is um is an amazing organization.

Of course, big brothers, big sisters, um, the scouts, all of the groups do such important work here in our city, uh and I commend them and thank them for that.

My issue really is that this is a lot of money, and at a time where our city government is uh having to make tough decisions and cutting back in a in a bunch of different areas.

I don't see that we are uh doing the same here with our with our delegate agency funding.

Um, if we're cutting across the board uh and looking at what's core to this city, the delegate agency funding needs to be a part um of that process as well.

So that this is not a comment on the value of the work that is being provided, um, because again, I'm uh I'm very appreciative and and recognize the important work uh that is being done, but I think we need a better process here for how we do the funding.

And again, in tough fiscal times, tough decisions have to be made.

Uh, and that has to include our delegate agency funding as well.

So um again, I uh I'll be supporting the amendment.

Uh we'll not be supporting uh the underlying item, but I do look forward to having uh the conversation that the councilwomen are going to uh uh to lead next year and and looking at how we can do this better moving forward.

Thanks, Mayor.

Councilmember Alder, I think I'll be done the second round, five minutes.

Thank you.

Um I also I missed a couple things because I jumped straight into the amendment.

Thank you all for being here today.

Um prior to me joining council, I was an executive director of a nonprofit, SA Digital Connects.

I know y'all's world.

It's hard, it's tough.

Um, I get it, and and I do think as was mentioned by my colleagues, it is important to have y'all's voice and y'all's impact when we do have this strategy session.

Um, we have a lot of opportunities in San Antonio, and so we need to move the needle on on um certain on issues, uh, long-standing complex issues.

And so, what I want to be clear that when we're asking for the strategy session, this is not to discount anybody's work, but it is for us to say there's a big chunk of money, as as Councilman White just said, there's a big chunk of money.

How do we best be strategic about it so we can move the needles on again on these long-standing complex issues?

Um, and so I think that you know, um, this will be beneficial to the city.

We also need to look at some of our other philanthropic partners, work with the county to say who's doing what, and and let's let's be let's work smarter, not harder.

So that that's the intent of of um of of the session.

Um I also will say that you know we all know that we're facing a budget deficit.

Um tough times call for I feel innovative thinking.

We have to think differently on how we can further support the missions going forward.

Um, as councilwoman core was saying, you know, it's hard for everybody to find a CFO.

To me, it's hard for everybody to find a marketing person.

Shared services for nonprofits might be an idea that we might want to think about.

You know, we have to get egos out of the way, and we have to work smarter um so that way again, we're funneling more money to the actual mission versus overhead.

You know, so so those those are some of those things that we need to discuss and put forward.

Um, and then Councilwoman Via Gran, um, to your uh question about timeline.

We touch base with um city managers.

So we'll we're gonna target the fall for this.

So those are all my comments.

Thank you.

What did you like anyone else like to speak on the amendment?

Okay.

Thank you for the uh the thoughtful amendment.

I do want to make sure for those that were maybe a little bit perplexed about um how the amendment differs in practice, then the option to extend their similar, if not the exact same thing.

Um, but I do think that uh it is worth having um uh a conversation.

Certainly, Melody, your team will play an important role in that uh because we can do a lot of innovative things.

I think one of those is also reducing, for example, um, or reviewing at least some of the reporting requirements that we put on you all, which can come can we bite burdensome?

People are nodding their heads.

I I can appreciate um uh again the good work that you do and and making sure your time is well spent on those things, other than some of the bureaucratic things that may be involved.

So I think there's a real opportunity.

Melody, um, as well as with Greg, uh well, it won't be Craig anymore, it'll be the innovation team though, the IT folks that help with the reporting, uh, the the metrics uh development and then understanding as we go through budget season.

I know you'll keep this kind of conversation in the back of your head, um, as you are already thinking about how to not only structure that conversation, but also then uh the talent and the infrastructure that we'll need to actually do those things.

So please remind us of of this uh when you have your your budget submission.

Melody um and IT team.

I know you're listening out there.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, so there is a motion and a second on the amendment as read.

Please vote.

Okay, the motion carries we'll now move uh to the main motion as amended.

Is there any conversation on that?

Go ahead.

That's right, except for guardian house.

Is there any additional conversation on those items?

Okay, please vote, okay.

The motion carries.

Is there a motion to approve funding for guardian house?

Okay, there's a motion and a second.

Is there any discussion on this item?

Councilman White.

Yeah, I just briefly want to say that again.

My vote's gonna be no here, but it's certainly not singling out um guardian house.

It's just to remain consistent with what I mentioned earlier on the underlying motion.

That was a no.

Okay, so one okay, Councilman White.

Any other discussion on the item?

Okay, hearing none.

There being no discussion is moved and seconded to approve funding for guardian house.

Please vote.

Uh, Councilman Mungia is recused and will not be voting on the item.

Okay, the motion carries okay.

Okay, that is the business of today.

The time is now 10:31.

The meeting is adjourned.