San Antonio Community Health Committee Meeting - February 26, 2026

The Community Health Committee of the San Antonio City Council convened on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 9:01 AM to 11:48 AM. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, public testimony, an update on opioid settlement funds, and joint presentations from the San Antonio Public Library, Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Human Services on community programs and senior services.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting: Motion carried unanimously; one abstention recorded.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker representing Mills on Wheels of San Antonio thanked the city for its ongoing investment in senior meal delivery services and highlighted the importance of supporting older adults, noting that 30% of seniors receive meals.
• Carol Daniels from the Women's Foundation praised the city’s commitment to seniors and the collaboration between public and private sectors, particularly at centers like Alicia Treviño Senior Center. She emphasized the need for creative solutions to support the aging baby boomer population.

Discussion Items

Opioid Settlement Fund Update

• Jesse Hegens, Opioid Settlement Fund Officer, presented data showing a national decline in overdose deaths in 2023, but noted that in Bexar County, stimulant (methamphetamine) overdoses remain higher than state and national averages. Polysubstance use was identified as a growing threat.
• The City of San Antonio anticipates receiving $6.1 million from opioid settlements; to date, $2.9 million has been received, with remaining payments scheduled through 2020 (per source). Funds are allocated to recovery, treatment, harm reduction, and a public education campaign.
• Councilmembers discussed the need for 2025 overdose data (expected by late spring), the importance of expanding Narcan distribution, and addressing transportation barriers for residents accessing services such as SAM Ministries and Corazón.
• Coordination with Bexar County and the State of Texas was highlighted to avoid duplication of services.

Library, Parks & Recreation, and Senior Centers Update

• San Antonio Public Library (SAPL): Director Sucre Grosowney and staff presented the library’s role as a community catalyst. SAPL operates 30 branches citywide. Notable programs include a Holocaust memorial series (500+ attendees across 6 locations) and 28 Hispanic heritage programs (700+ participants in 2025). Libraries serve as polling places (19 locations) and partner with Metro Health for health programs.
• Parks and Recreation: Director Nicky Ramos reported that the department manages 271 parks, nearly 300 miles of trails, and 30 community centers. In FY2025, over 140,000 people participated in programs. The department saved $624,000 by canceling under-enrolled classes. Summer camps serve 4,000 children at low cost ($3/day or $25/season for reduced-fee families). Programs include robotics, kayaking, sports leagues, and senior fitness. Partnerships with Spurs, San Antonio Food Bank, and other agencies were noted.
• Department of Human Services – Senior Centers: Jessica De Bolino reported that 42 integrated senior centers serve 22,103 participants. Key statistics: 44% of seniors live alone, 42% have a disability, 34.3% speak a language other than English at home. Mills on Wheels delivers 2,300 hot meals daily. Capital projects include expansion of West Senior Center (construction starts June 2026, completion November 2027) and rebuilding of Kingwood Senior Center (construction began in 2024 per source, completion February 2028). Transportation within a 5-mile radius was flagged as a critical barrier.
• Councilmembers raised concerns about low literacy rates (25% of adults functionally illiterate), the need for expanded senior transportation, and the importance of cross-departmental collaboration to maximize facility use and avoid duplication.

Key Outcomes

• The meeting minutes were approved.
• Presentations were received as informational; no formal votes were taken on the updates.
• Councilmembers requested that 2025 opioid overdose data be shared with the committee when available.
• The committee expressed support for expanding senior transportation services beyond the current 5-mile radius and for further exploring literacy programs in libraries.
• Multiple councilmembers emphasized the value of ongoing collaboration among SAPL, Parks and Recreation, and DHS to optimize public spaces and services.