San Antonio City Council Special Session on Emergency Response Coordination – June 22, 2026

The San Antonio City Council held a special session on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. to review emergency response coordination protocols following the April 21, 2026, gas explosions on Preston Hollow Drive. The meeting was called by a three-signature memo under City Charter Section 11. Presentations were given by city and CPS Energy officials, but discussion was limited due to an active National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. Three members of the public testified, and council members discussed communication gaps, community support, and future improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Flores (speaking on behalf of the Preston Hollow Homeowners Association): Expressed that residents feel a diminished sense of security and have unanswered questions. Requested expert guidance on gas line safety, utility easement locations, and preventative measures. Asked how gas odor reports are tracked, audited, and verified. Called for transparency, accountability, communication, and a clear plan to restore confidence.
• Kevin Johnson (Preston Hollow resident): Expressed frustration that utility companies appeared to have ignored prior gas smell reports. Questioned whether the explosions could have been prevented if reports were addressed. Criticized the lack of a visible command center and evacuation orders after the first explosion. Asked why CPS did not take immediate samples beyond the initial leak area. Asked what steps the city will take if tree roots are identified as the cause. Called for an aggressive inspection and replacement process.
• Sandy Villarreal: Did not speak (no presentation given).

Discussion Items

• Presentations by City and CPS Energy Officials:
  • Frank Almaraz (Interim CEO, CPS Energy): Expressed commitment to collaboration and transparency, but noted limitations due to active litigation and the NTSB investigation.
  • Liz Provencio (First Assistant City Attorney): Outlined the NTSB investigation process (12–24 months), the preliminary report released May 21, 2026, and the incident overview: two explosions on April 21 at 15066 and 15058 Preston Hollow Drive, causing injuries and damage. The gas system was installed in 1993, operating at 9 psi. A leak was found at 15062 Preston Hollow and isolated. Barhole testing confirmed gas in the ground. No additional leaks were found after pressure testing.
  • Maria Viego Mes (Deputy City Manager): Described the community response: a reunification center opened at the Northeast Senior Center, transportation provided, debris clearance, barricades, on-site security, and methane detector installation by SAFD and CPS.
  • Deanna Hardwick (Chief Customer Strategy Officer, CPS Energy): Detailed support for impacted residents: lodging (hotels and Airbnb), animal support, gift cards, phone replacement, mental health support via the Center for Mental Health, direct outreach to 175 contacts, gas safety inspections, drone assessments, and gas detector distribution.
  • Shana Ramirez (CPS Energy): Presented gas system operations: over 400,000 customers, 10,000+ emergency responses per year, 280,000 utility locates, 30-minute average response time, 10,000 odor calls received. Emphasized calling 811 before digging, reporting gas smells, and using gas detectors. Noted that CPS meets Texas Railroad Commission safety standards and has a compliant integrity management program.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember White (District 10): Thanked colleagues for the meeting. Questioned why the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was not activated. The fire chief responded that the EOC is activated only for multi-agency coordination, life safety, or prolonged incidents; this incident was managed via the Incident Command System. White noted conflicting information given to residents about returning home and asked who coordinates communication. The deputy city manager stated that the city's basic emergency plan identifies roles. White requested a clearer process for neighborhood-centric events and better communication from the city.
  • Councilmember Alderete Gavito (District 7): Asked CPS what mechanisms residents can use to proactively identify gas leaks. Shana Ramirez explained that the Texas Railroad Commission sets rigorous standards, CPS has a 30-minute average response time, and gas detectors are available (inventory of several hundred). Councilmember Alderete Gavito suggested a distribution event for gas detectors across districts.
  • Councilmember Corr (District 1): Emphasized the need for better communication to reduce fear. Referenced a recent gas smell incident in District 1 that caused panic. Asked CPS to clarify the difference between fire department air monitoring and CPS barhole testing. The fire chief noted that SAFD monitors only open air; CPS can test soil. Councilmember Corr suggested a one-pager for the community explaining each agency's role.
  • Councilmember Castillo: Asked about tree roots impacting gas lines and what steps residents should take if roots are near gas lines. Requested a briefing on resources and responsibilities.
  • Councilmember Via Gran: Suggested that the council receive training on neighborhood-centric emergencies and that the Public Safety Committee take up the issue of formalizing communication protocols.
  • Mayor Jones: Noted that family members of victims had difficulty getting information about their loved ones. Asked for improved crisis communications, including a central phone number for out-of-town family. Directed the Public Safety Committee to work on a case study and communication plan.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken during the open session. The council moved into executive session at 11:14 a.m. to discuss economic development, real property, and legal issues (including litigation and emergency preparedness). No action was taken in executive session, and the meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.
• Directives and Next Steps:
  • The Public Safety Committee (chaired by Councilmember Corr) will review the Preston Hollow incident as a case study and develop a clearer communication protocol for neighborhood-centric emergencies.
  • The city will schedule an annual EOC training exercise for the mayor and council, using a neighborhood-centric scenario involving utilities.
  • CPS Energy will provide individual gas line maps to residents upon request (not a system-wide map for security reasons).
  • CPS Energy will continue to distribute gas detectors while inventory lasts and will explore funding for additional detectors.
  • The city and CPS will follow up with the Preston Hollow Homeowners Association on process and reporting questions.
  • The city will work on improving crisis communications for family members of victims, including a central contact point.