Community Health Committee Meeting – February 26, 2026

The Community Health Committee convened on February 26, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. with a quorum present. The agenda included approval of minutes, public comments, an update on opioid settlement funds from Metro Health, and joint presentations from the San Antonio Public Library, Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Human Services on community access and programming.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Forest Maine (Meals on Wheels San Antonio): Expressed gratitude for the City’s partnership with senior centers and DHS. Mentioned ongoing feedback from seniors on menu changes and new opportunities.
• Carol Zernil (Wellmade Charitable Foundation): Thanked the City for its investment in older adult services, noting that 30% of older adults receive their primary meal of the day at City-provided sites. Encouraged continued support and highlighted the need for creative collaboration amid changing federal and post-COVID landscapes.

Discussion Items

Opioid Settlement Funds Update (Metro Health)

• Presenter: Jesse Higgins, Chief Mental Health Officer.
• Data: National fatal overdose numbers decreased from 2023 through 2025. Locally, Bear County’s stimulant overdose death rate exceeds both state and national levels; opioid death rate in Bear County is slightly higher than Texas overall. Polysubstance use is common.
• Funding: Texas secured $1.6 billion in opioid settlements; City of San Antonio anticipates $6.1 million, with $2.9 million received to date. Remaining balance paid through 2021.
• Framework and Commitments: Prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. A November 2024 City Council resolution declared overdoses a public health crisis. Commitments include expanding naloxone access, provider education on stigma and pregnant people, a multi-year plan for settlement funds, and a public education campaign.
• Current Projects: Systems change for substance use outreach; contracts for outreach and Narcan kits (to be considered by Council on March 5); substance use counseling at SAM Ministry Low Barrier Shelter; MAT for homeless individuals identified by street outreach; and the SACRED.org substance use resource portal (in testing).
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Davito asked when 2025 data would be available (expected later in spring).
  • Councilmember Castillo highlighted a health panel where Narcan kits were all distributed; stressed need for multiple hubs across the city rather than one central location due to transportation barriers.
  • Chair Galvan requested a heat map of substance use resource locations; staff noted the SACRED portal will allow zip-code searches.
  • Councilmember White asked about avoiding duplication with county and state; Jesse Higgins confirmed monthly meetings with Bexar County and ongoing attention to state efforts.
  • Discussion on the sobering center at 601 North Frio and its co-location with CHCS detox.
  • Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez questioned the value of a broad public education campaign; Jesse clarified the current focus on training medical providers to better serve pregnant women using substances, addressing the increase in congenital syphilis.
  • Councilmember Davito connected this work to the diversion center discussed the previous week, noting overlapping partners.

Libraries, Parks & Recreation, and Senior Centers (Items 2, 3, 4 Combined)

• San Antonio Public Library (Director Sukhrid Goswami):

  • 30 locations across all council districts. Programs include Holocaust Learn & Remember (500+ attendees), Hispanic Heritage Month (600 attendees), Juneteenth (700+ attendees), and large events like PokéFest and Pop Madness. Partnerships with Metro Health for health programs. 19 locations host early voting.
  • Councilmember White asked about “library of things” programs (lending tools, cookware, etc.); Assistant Director Dale McNeil confirmed the library is aware and has considered it, citing a small fishing equipment lending program at Central Library.
  • Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez requested a future meeting focused on literacy programs, noting 25% adult illiteracy in San Antonio. She also noted Cody Library serves 90 children after school as an informal after-care space.

• Parks and Recreation (Assistant Director Nikki Ramos):

  • Department operates 271 parks, 30 community centers, over 30 pools and splash pads, 18 dog parks, etc. Community center programming organized into hubs: Discovery Lab (STEM), Studio (arts), Fit Zone (fitness), Sports Club, and Teen Clubs.
  • Summer Youth Program serves 4,000+ children with sliding-scale fees ($260 full; $25 reduced for qualifying families). Partnerships with San Antonio Food Bank provide free meals/snacks.
  • Fitness in the Park offers 6,500 free classes annually serving 73,000 participants. Aquatic facilities saw 265,000 visits last year. Hiring 300 lifeguards at $18/hour.
  • Councilmember White praised the budget review that found 32% of classes had no participants, saving $624,000. Nikki Ramos stated that the department now continuously monitors participation and adjusts offerings.
  • Councilmember Castillo highlighted the San Fernando Boxing Gym producing Golden Glove athletes and advocated for a similar gym in south District 5.
  • Chair Galvan asked about facility life cycles; Parks Director Homer Garcia said they are collaborating with the capital delivery department on a facility inventory that will include life-cycle data.

• Department of Human Services – Senior Centers (Deputy Director Jessica Devolina):

  • 44 comprehensive senior centers and part-time nutrition sites. City operates 12 comprehensive centers, 11 nationally accredited. Serves 22,103 active participants annually; 88% attend DHS-operated centers. Daily meal service averages 1,700-2,300 participants (500,000 meals/year from Meals on Wheels).
  • Challenges: 14.6% of older adults live below poverty; 24.2% are cost-burdened; 44% live alone; 48.3% speak a language other than English.
  • Fiscal Year 2026 work plan includes enhancing membership engagement, expanding financial counseling, implementing evidence-based health/nutrition programs, and increasing social connectedness via technology.
  • Capital projects: West End Senior Center expansion (construction starts June 2026, completion November 2027); Kenwood Senior Center replacement (construction starts August 2026, completion February 2028).
  • Councilmember White asked about a five-year vision; Jessica cited an abuse prevention study due September 2026 that will inform future priorities.
  • Councilmember Marial Dabito advocated for expanding senior center transportation beyond the current 5-mile radius, noting his CCR was blocked but DHS is already using recommendations (e.g., VIA and Ride Connect partnerships).
  • Chair Galvan requested data on average transportation trip times (1.5-2 hours) and a cost-benefit analysis of expanding transportation versus building new centers. Greatest need identified in upper northwest and far south areas.
  • Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez noted the Bob Ross Senior Center in District 8 was the city’s first senior center and remains highly active.

Key Outcomes

• Opioid Settlement Funds: Update received. Seven contracts for outreach and Narcan kits will go to City Council on March 5 for approval. Staff to provide updated data when 2025 CDC numbers become available.
• Libraries, Parks, Senior Centers: Presentations received. No formal votes taken.
  • Councilmember White suggested exploring a “library of things” pilot; library staff will consider.
  • Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez requested a dedicated committee meeting on literacy programs.
  • Councilmember Marial Dabito’s CCR on senior transportation is stalled but DHS is implementing some recommendations.
  • Chair Galvan requested that departments share facility life-cycle data and a cost-benefit analysis of transportation versus new construction for senior centers.
• Next Steps: Staff will continue to coordinate across departments and with external partners to maximize use of public spaces and avoid duplication of services.