Rules and Open Government Committee Meeting - October 29, 2025

The Rules and Open Government Committee met on October 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM (adjourned at 2:17 PM) with a quorum present (Chair Cohen, Vice Mayor Foley, Councilmembers Candelas, One, Camille, and Cohen). The committee reviewed the upcoming November 4, 2025 agenda, approved the consent calendar, and took action on the annual City Council referral status report. Public comments addressed the Barriesa Flea Market relocation and grievances regarding blight and safe parking program conditions. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Calendar

• The committee reviewed the agenda for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, which includes a 9:30 AM closed session and a 1:30 PM regular session. Consent items span pages 4-9 and cover interviews for the Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices, actions related to the ground transportation island project at the airport, amendments to the Muni Code to prohibit nitrous oxide sales and a temporary moratorium on tobacco retail licenses, actions on the Fairways at San Antonio, and grant agreements for outreach programs serving unsheltered individuals. Item 10.2 (land use) was dropped from the agenda. No public comment was received, and the motion to approve the agenda carried 5-0.
• The consent calendar for the week (public record) was approved without public comment; motion carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Roberto (speaking on behalf of the Barriesa Flea Market Vendors Association) expressed concern that, five years after advocacy began, there is still no commitment for relocating the flea market, which supports hundreds of small businesses and thousands of jobs. He urged continued collaboration and highlighted the market as a cultural destination.
• Thomas Baker (resident) sought committee assistance with blight issues in his neighborhood. He acknowledged code enforcement officer Joe Celio for prior help but noted two unresolved issues: a public records request (submitted 10/12/25, no response) and a blight complaint at 1548 Coke Lane (code enforcement number 2024-11234) that has been stuck in an officer’s queue since December 2024. He requested help without the involvement of Scott Hughes.
• Kimberly Perry (resident at 1300 Barry SM) reported filing a complaint with the city auditor’s office regarding criminal activities and embezzlement, including stolen donated generators. She stated she contacted Councilmember Cohen’s office with no response, and alleged retaliation and harassment from program staff. She asked for clarification on her rights as a “participant” in the project. Chair Cohen acknowledged receipt of her email and said the committee would look into the circumstances.
• Frank Pacheco (safe parking program participant) alleged civil rights violations by a safe parking staff member, including being accused of theft and denied the ability to leave to obtain a receipt, and being forced to allow another person to move into his RV without his consent. He also stated he was told he could not store personal items (light pictures) inside his RV. He expressed feeling dehumanized.

Discussion Items

• Annual City Council Referral Status Report (presented by Sarah Sarate, Deputy Director of the Office of Administration, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations, joined by Emily Lamb, Director of API): The second annual report compiled all council referrals and provided implementation status. Since June 30, 2025, there were 136 referrals: 64 completed (as of September 30), 61 in progress, 8 not yet started, and 3 deferred. Staff requested to defer one additional item – a traffic study for a planned development – because the study would not occur for at least another 18 months until after an occupancy permit is issued. Staff recommendation was to accept the report and defer the identified item.
• Committee members asked questions about the deferred item’s tracking mechanism and the scope of analysis for potential flea market relocation sites. Councilmember Candelas clarified that the referral regarding the Singleton property was intended to remove an RFP barrier from that site but that staff is evaluating broader options and will report back in Q1 2026. Vice Mayor Foley noted the importance of transparency in deferrals to avoid false expectations.
• The committee voted 5-0 to accept the report and approve the deferral.
• No meeting on November 11, 2025 was noted.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (5-0) of the November 4, 2025 agenda, consent calendar, and weekly consent calendar.
• Unanimous approval (5-0) of the annual City Council referral status report and associated deferral.
• The committee acknowledged public concerns regarding blight and safe parking program conditions, with Chair Cohen indicating staff would follow up on specific complaints.