San Antonio Governance Committee Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Governance Committee of the San Antonio City Council met on April 15, 2026, at 10:06 AM to consider three council consideration requests (CCRs): (1) expanding the Ambassador Summer Internship Program to include opportunity youth, (2) a pilot to hold public comment meetings in community locations, and (3) improving reporting on city spending with local businesses. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Angelica Cervantes (Chief Operating Officer, YWCA San Antonio) expressed support for expanding the Ambassador program to include opportunity youth, noting YWCA directly serves this population and has additional apprenticeship dollars through United Way that could complement the initiative.
• Juan Ramos (Executive Director and Founder, R3 Student Outreach) voiced strong and unwavering support for the opportunity youth internship pilot program. He cited that Bexar County has over 36,000 disconnected youth, and the current Ambassador program excludes them by requiring a high school diploma and two years of college. He emphasized that such programs reduce recidivism, youth violence, and improve community safety, citing successful models in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.
• Jessica Palacios (Representing San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) spoke in support of item 4, the reporting framework for city funds going to local businesses. She stated that improved transparency would help identify gaps in supplier networks, particularly in subcontracting, and strengthen procurement strategies.

Discussion Items

Item 2: Opportunity Youth Internship Pilot Program (CCR by Councilmember Castillo)

• Melody Weasley (Human Services Director) presented the current Ambassador Summer Internship Program, which serves approximately 200 college students per summer with an eight-week paid internship at $18/hour (up to $4,300). Requirements include high school diploma, enrollment in college with at least one year completed, and a 2.5 GPA. The FY 2026 budget is $838,000. She cited research showing paid summer work reduces crime: Chicago (43% decrease in violent crime), Boston (35% decrease in violent crime, 57% decrease in property crime), and New York City (10% reduction in incarceration, 20% reduction in mortality). Staff recommended further research and return to the Educational Opportunities Committee.
• Councilmember Viagran questioned why the item was referred to Educational Opportunities rather than the Economic and Workforce Development Committee (EWDC), arguing that workforce development is more appropriate for at-risk youth who may not be college-bound. She supported moving forward but expressed concern about the committee fit.
• Councilmember Mungia supported the expansion, noting that mentorships and summer jobs reduce crime, and advocated for funding in the upcoming budget cycle.
• Councilmember Viagran also noted the city can hire at age 16, and suggested that council members should commit to hiring at least one youth intern from their own budgets.

Item 3: City Hall for All – Pilot for Community Public Comment Meetings (CCR by Councilmember Castillo)

• The Director of Communications and Engagement presented the proposal to hold select public comment meetings (not B sessions) in community locations to increase accessibility. Key considerations: logistics, ADA compliance, language access, security, and cost. The current recommendation was to create a pilot program for public comment meetings only, and to return to the Governance Committee in 60 days with a detailed plan.
• Councilmember Viagran expressed support for moving public comment meetings to districts but opposed moving B sessions. She stressed the need for a clear cost estimate and suggested that council members hosting such meetings should fund them from their own budgets.
• Councilmember Mungia supported the pilot, noting that downtown parking and distance are barriers for residents in districts like District 4. He cited a past B session held at a city facility in 2019 but acknowledged current logistical standards.

Item 4: Reporting on City Funds to Local Businesses (CCR by Councilmember Govito)

• Troy Elliott (Chief Financial Officer) presented current programs: the Local Preference Program (based on city limits) and SBEDA (based on the San Antonio MSA). The CCR requests a standardized definition of “local,” department-level reporting, and use of data to identify gaps. He proposed taking the item to the Economic and Workforce Development Committee for further policy definition.
• Councilmember Carrito (author of the CCR) emphasized that better data leads to better decisions and that the city currently lacks a clear picture of local spending. She cited the airport concessions model as an example of successful local focus.
• Councilmember Viagran suggested that “local” should be defined more broadly, perhaps as Bexar County, and that the city should also consider a “Team Texas” perspective. She requested that council members be given maps of current definitions and provide input.
• Councilmember Mungia supported the item, noting that small businesses often feel the city does not do enough to support them, and agreed that the definition should extend beyond city limits to include Bexar County.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 (Opportunity Youth Internship Pilot): Motion to approve staff recommendation (further research and referral to Educational Opportunities Committee) passed unanimously.
• Item 3 (City Hall for All): Motion to accept staff recommendation (develop a pilot program for public comment meetings in the community and return to Governance Committee in 60 days) passed unanimously.
• Item 4 (Local Business Reporting): Motion to approve staff recommendation (develop framework with definition of “local” and bring to Economic and Workforce Development Committee) passed unanimously.