Economic and Workforce Development Committee Meeting - August 31, 2026
Economic and Workforce Development Committee Meeting - August 31, 2026
The Economic and Workforce Development Committee of the San Antonio City Council met on August 31, 2026, from 10:38 a.m. to 12:32 p.m. (including a closed executive session). Chair Viagran presided, with Councilmembers Castillo, Calvan, Ms. Agonzales (likely M. Gonzalez), and Spears present. The committee reviewed consent items, heard briefings on the updated economic development strategic framework, a council consideration request on local spending transparency, procurement practices regarding ICE, and the ongoing procurement process review. No public comments were made.
Consent Calendar
- Item 2 – Workforce Solutions Alamo FY 2027 Operating Budget: The committee approved moving this item to the full City Council B session on September 16, 2026, for a more detailed presentation. The budget amount is $195,380,770. The motion passed by voice vote.
- Item 3 – Growth State Grant Program Applications: Staff recommended 9 of 20 applicants for award; 11 were deemed ineligible for not meeting criteria such as demonstrating at least two years of growth over five years, having at least $1 million in annual revenue, or (for SBIR/SDTR grants) having received a federal SBIR grant. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote.
Discussion Items
Briefing on the Economic Development Strategic Framework (Item 4)
Consultant John (along with Tom Stellman and Alexis Angelo) presented an updated draft framework, building on stakeholder interviews, a small business survey with over 180 responses, and interviews with site selectors. The framework retains three goals (Innovation & Industry, Placemaking & Real Estate, Talent & Workforce) with enhanced strategies including:
- Telling the city’s story as a business destination.
- Scaling up startups and attracting investment capital.
- Expanding small business procurement opportunities (e.g., Supply SA).
- Site readiness for manufacturers (analysis of 10 sites).
- Elevating Ready to Work 2.0 with sustainable funding.
- AI adoption and talent ecosystem partnerships.
- Pursuing new state, federal, and private funding sources.
Chair Viagran emphasized the importance of continuing the TERS incentive program, funding for organizations like Texas BiomedSA, and retaining headquarters (USAA, SWBC). Councilmember Galvan requested clearer place-based investment strategies for areas with different market viability. Councilmember Castillo stressed infrastructure investment, AI adoption not eliminating jobs, and tying dollar amounts to framework metrics. Councilmember M. Gonzalez asked for near-term actionable items, measurable success beyond private investment (job creation, retention), and alignment with the Medical Alliance report. Councilmember Spears expressed support for the framework and requested updates on global engagement and business retention.
CCR on Reporting City Funds to Local Businesses (Item 5)
Councilwoman Gavito’s chief of staff presented the CCR, calling for a uniform definition of “local,” annual reporting of local spending, and use of data to identify workforce gaps. Staff recommended defining local as vendors with a remit address within San Antonio city limits, reporting contract awards and payments, but noted inability to track subcontractor or industry-specific spending with the current ERP system. The new SAP upgrade may enable future improvements.
Councilmembers discussed expanding the definition to include regional (Bexar County) businesses and coordinating with SABETA. Chair Viagran preferred annual procurement reporting over a public dashboard. Councilmember Castillo raised concerns about national corporations with local remit addresses and suggested using SABETA infrastructure. Councilmember Galvan wanted to capture small, local businesses rather than large entities. Councilmember M. Gonzalez asked about alignment with Supply SA. The committee directed staff to develop options for the local definition and report back.
Briefing on Procurement Practices Related to ICE (Item 6)
CFO Troy Olive reviewed options for vendor disclosure of contracts with ICE or detention facilities. He distinguished between statutory procurements (invitations for bids, construction, etc.) where disclosure can be requested but cannot affect responsiveness, and non-statutory procurements (professional services, leases) where council can refuse awards based on disclosure. Examples from Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago were provided.
Chair Viagran supported requiring disclosure forms for all contracts, noting that vendors not doing business with ICE would likely be willing to disclose. Councilmember Castillo asked if non-disclosure could render a bidder non-responsive; for statutory contracts, it cannot, but staff would provide the information to council. Councilmember Galvan supported public transparency of disclosures. Councilmember M. Gonzalez asked about subcontractor disclosure and the process for statutory awards. The committee directed staff to move the item to a B session for further policy development.
Briefing on Procurement Process Review (Item 7)
Deputy Finance Director Victoria Rader updated the committee on the SAP upgrade (COSA Connect Finance), costing approximately $70 million, funded by certificates of obligation. The upgrade includes external stakeholder engagement: a survey of 1,600 vendors and in-person meetings with a random sample of 200 vendors, plus advocacy groups. The survey will be sent in September 2024, with feedback used during the design phase. Existing vendor data will be migrated. Councilmember M. Gonzalez confirmed the project is in the 2027 budget. Councilmember Castillo requested a breakdown of selected stakeholders to ensure inclusivity. Councilmember Galvan noted the need to form the trades advisory council subcommittee. The committee acknowledged progress and requested continued briefings.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Item 2 moved to full council B session on September 16, 2026; Item 3 approved for award.
- Economic Development Strategic Framework: Briefing only; staff will present a final draft to full council in September/October 2026.
- Local Spending Reporting: Staff to develop options for a uniform definition of “local” and report back to committee before advancing to full council.
- ICE Procurement Disclosure: Staff to prepare a policy proposal for a B session, including disclosure forms and potential non-award mechanisms for non-statutory contracts.
- Procurement Process Review: Ongoing stakeholder engagement will continue; committee to receive updates on SAP implementation and feedback.
- Executive Session: No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 12:32 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Is Debbie here? Oh no. The time is now 10 38 a.m. on August 31st, 2026, and the meeting of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee is now called to order. Madam Clerk, please call roll. Councilmember Castillo. Councilmember Calvan. Councilmember Ms. Agonzales. Councilmember Spears. Chair Viagran? Here. Chair, we have quorum. Thank you. So I I want to thank y'all for uh indulging us. We uh uh in the delay, we were at the press conference for the uh storm on the update, and uh we are all um wanting to make sure that all the information is got got gets out and gets out accurately. So please uh share that uh with the with your community members, and I will mention that the San Antonio Food Bank is looking for volunteers, so if you know any groups that need some volunteer work, uh we're gonna move uh we're gonna put that out there too. So the first item on the agenda is approval of the minutes. Are there any corrections to the minutes? Can I get a motion and a second to approve the minutes? I've got a motion and a second. Uh all in favor. Is there any discussion? I'm sorry. No discussion. Okay, all in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, say no. Motion carries. Madam Clerk, are there any citizens signed up to speak on the item for public comment? No, Chair, there's no public comment. All right. Okay. Um so we will begin with items that were on consent that actually we're gonna move. I'm gonna move the first item on consent is item two. Uh recommended the workforce solutions Alamo FY 2027 operating budget in the amount of uh one uh 100,000 195,000 195 million, 380 770 dollars to fill to full city council for B session on September 16th, 2026. Is my do I need to make an amendment or okay? So I wanna on consent take this to B session so we can get a bigger uh presentation on this. Uh it has been asked. Well, I know councilman Spears wanted to hear this one because it's related to the county. Um the mayor's requested, and I'm pretty sure we're going to have others. So if I can get a motion to approve item number two to move to a B session on September 16, 2026. We've got a motion and a second. Is uh so we will not have a staff presentation at this time. We will wait until the B session. So with that, uh, we have a mo is there any other questions or discussions? Okay, with all that. Um all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no.
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