Economic & Workforce Development Committee Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Economic & Workforce Development Committee held a meeting on December 16, 2025, to finalize the approval of minutes, receive public testimony on labor and construction initiatives, deliberated on two proposed Consultant Council Resolutions (CCRs), and heard reports from the Biomedical and Global Engagement departments. The committee focused on balancing local workforce needs with construction industry demands, emphasizing the need for a robust, representative advisory body and clear metrics for future pilot programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the previous meeting unanimously after no corrections were offered.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Loren Mandel (President, San Antonio chapter of the Associated General Contractors): Expressed strong support for balanced representation on the committee to ensure diverse voices (sindicatos, contractors, field workers, and company leadership) are heard; warned against political interference and emphasized the need for a neutral, legally sound body. Position: Support for balanced, non-politicized advisory structure.
• Michelle Davis (President, Associated Builders and Contractors): Argued that the proposed 35% apprenticeship requirement exceeds federal guidelines and current training capacity, potentially excluding workers with trade knowledge; advocated for an equal representation model and open workshops. Position: Opposition to current 35% requirement and support for broader representation.
• Tom Friend (Association of 238 Subcontractors members): Supported the concept of an advisory committee with balanced representation; noted that subcontracts have been operating training workshops for 40 years and believe the industry is already addressing workforce needs without new restrictions. Position: Support for balanced advisory committee; confidence in existing training solutions.
• Chris Morales (President Local 500, San Antonio APC): Requested the formal inclusion of local craft unions to institutionalize workforce development and ensure accountability in city projects. Position: Support for formalized union inclusion in the advisory body.
• Charles Fuentes (CWU Chapter 43): Expressed full support for the Consultant Council of Trades (CCCR), emphasizing the need for a space where both organized and non-organized workers can provide feedback to influence city planning and safety. Position: Full support for the CCCR to empower worker voices.
• Melina Espíritu-Zacar (Vice President, Council of Workers Association): Supported the CCCR and the proposal by Councilor Castillo and Jalen; argued that workers, not just managers, should have a real voice in decision-making to ensure safety and local economic value. Position: Full support for the CCCR to center worker needs.
• Del Hansen (Electrician, Electricians Union Local 293): Stated that apprenticeship programs require a mix of theoretical and practical training to be effective; supported the principle of balanced representation on the committee regardless of ideology. Position: Support for balanced representation and practical trade training.
• Daniel Vaquera Jr. (Member, Union 61): Expressed support for Agenda Points 1 and 3, aligning with the goals of worker inclusion and apprenticeship expansion. Position: Full support for the proposed initiatives.
• Alejandra Lopez (President, AF): Supported the creation of a worker advisory committee to prioritize local workers, improve wages, and integrate best practices for training and skill development. Position: Full support for the worker advisory committee.
• Bertie Williams: Suggested implementing cross-training for construction workers to improve efficiency and reduce costs; noted that waiting for skilled labor to become available increases project costs. Position: Support for cross-training initiatives to enhance efficiency.

Discussion Items

• Implementation of Consultant Council Resolutions (CCRs): Director Mike Shannon presented two proposals: (1) A program requiring 35% apprentices/graduates for city-funded construction projects under $10 million, and (2) The creation of a Commerce Advisory Council (District 5) for workforce development.
• Committee Expectations & Structure: Chair Villagrán emphasized the need for a committee that functions beyond a four-year term, urging for solutions specific to San Antonio's climate and infrastructure challenges. She noted the importance of including international unions (United Brotherhoods, Steelworkers) alongside local members and advocated for limited meeting times (1.5-2 hours) to ensure participation from working professionals.
• Cost and Logistics Analysis: Councilor Pierce raised concerns about the potential financial impact and administrative costs of a mandated 35% apprenticeship requirement, asking for specific data on how this compares to other jurisdictions during recessions and the cost of administration. She requested a timeline for a consensus recommendation, specifically targeting February for an update on costs and a preliminary schedule.
• Biomedical Industry Presentation: BioMed SA presented their strategic plan, highlighting $400 million in industry contributions and their role in recruiting 650 organizations. They discussed the "BioFest Invest" event which secured $85 million in funding and their partnership with Alamo College to address training gaps in the growing biomedical sector. Councilor Galván noted the need for better market visibility to attract large companies that often overlook San Antonio.
• Global Engagement Report: Sherry Shoei reported on 97 countries engaged in 2025, with a focus on Japan, Spain, and the newly added sister cities (Querétaro, Lanzarote, Quebec). The director highlighted that while sister city relationships are foundational, economic gains (like Toyota's plant) often come from sustained international outreach rather than sister city proximity alone. Councilor Villagrán suggested leveraging the city's UNESCO status and culinary heritage for international cultural diplomacy.

Key Outcomes

• The motion to approve the proposal for increasing apprenticeship requirements in city construction contracts and establishing the Commerce Advisory Council was passed.
• Staff was directed to conduct further research on the costs, metrics, and administrative burdens of the 35% apprenticeship mandate, with a specific deliverable of a cost analysis and preliminary timeline to be reported back in February 2026.
• The committee agreed to establish a Working Group of Stakeholders (inversores) to facilitate the formation of the new advisory councils, with Councilor Castillo designated as the primary point of contact for coordinating with other council members.
• The Biomedical and Global Engagement departments provided data for informational purposes; no binding actions were taken, but a directive was given to explore leveraging cultural assets (culinary, heritage) for future international economic development strategies.