San Antonio City Council Committee Meeting on Facility Maintenance and Surplus Property - January 20, 2026

The San Antonio City Council committee convened on January 20, 2026, to discuss two major agenda items: a report on the city's facilities maintenance and deferred maintenance processes, and a presentation on the city's surplus property inventory and disposition process. Councilmembers expressed a strong need for comprehensive data on facility conditions, age, usage, and a prioritized list of needs to inform the upcoming bond program. Discussions also focused on the challenges of acquiring properties for public safety facilities, the management of surplus properties, and potential policy changes regarding the use of proceeds from property sales.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the January 2, 2026 meeting. A motion was made, seconded, and all members voted in favor.

Discussion Items

Facilities Maintenance and Deferred Maintenance Report

• Mike Shannon from the Capital Delivery Department presented an overview of the city's facility portfolio (approximately 500 facilities), including airports, convention centers, adult centers, and public safety buildings. The current deferred maintenance program is funded at $30 million over six years, with an additional $130 million in bond funds and $4.1 billion in capital improvements (including $2.3 billion for streets and airport).
• Councilmember Munguía requested a comprehensive list of all facilities, their last renovation date, current condition, and a prioritization methodology. He expressed concern that the bond program over six years can only address a fraction of facilities, leading to a cycle of deferred maintenance and potential surprises.
• Councilmember Gabito agreed and asked for a map of all facilities and details on bond projects not completed (three street projects: Roosevelt, drainage in Texta, and one other). He also questioned the status of Fire Station #2 replacement, noting that property acquisition has been challenging for over a year.
• Councilmember Alderete highlighted the need to consider expanding existing fire stations as an alternative to new construction and emphasized the importance of property acquisition timelines.
• Councilmember Castlehan Spears stressed the need for metrics, ROI, and a cost-benefit analysis to guide maintenance vs. replacement decisions. She requested data on facility age, condition, and usage (e.g., foot traffic) to communicate with constituents and set priorities.
• Councilmember Rodriguez noted that the city should have a better understanding of which facilities are most critical, especially those with high public use (e.g., libraries, community centers) that need HVAC and restroom repairs.
• Councilmember Munguía also asked about facilities the city operates but does not own (e.g., leased City Tower), and the committee agreed that such properties should be included in the assessment.

Surplus Properties Presentation

• Staff presented the surplus property inventory: 51 properties totaling approximately 10 acres, ranging from small lots (0.003 acres) to nearly 1 acre. The city maintains an online portal and updates the list monthly. The disposition process follows state law, requiring public notice and fair market valuation, with exceptions for adjacent owners or nonprofits.
• Councilmember Munguía requested that the surplus property list be sent by council district, along with zoning information. He suggested using restrictive covenants to prevent undesirable uses (e.g., auto repair shops) and to steer development toward community benefits such as parks or affordable housing. He also proposed that proceeds from sales should return to the district that lost the property, rather than going to the general fund—a sentiment echoed by Councilmember Alderete and supported by others.
• Councilmember Spears asked for historical data on sales over the past five to ten years: how many properties were sold, how long they were on the market, and how the process worked. She also wanted to know how often the city reassesses properties.
• Councilmember Gabito noted that some properties may have liens that must be paid before funds go to the general fund. Councilmember Castlehan Spears inquired about the total maintenance costs for surplus properties and the equity of their distribution across districts.
• Staff agreed to provide the requested lists and data, with an initial update expected at the next meeting (scheduled for early February).

Key Outcomes

• Staff committed to delivering a comprehensive inventory of all city-owned facilities, including age, condition, last renovation, usage data, and a map of locations. This data will be used to prioritize maintenance and capital replacement in the upcoming bond cycle.
• Staff will provide a detailed report on deferred maintenance needs, including the condition assessment of each facility and a multi-year projection of required investments.
• For surplus properties, staff will provide a district-by-district list with zoning, size, estimated maintenance costs, and a sales history (past five years).
• The council will consider a future policy change to direct proceeds from surplus property sales back to the district where the property is located.
• The committee will continue discussions at its next meeting on or about February 1, 2026, with staff providing the requested information.