Rosie Castro confirmed as interim District 7 councilwoman
Amid a standing ovation, the San Antonio City Council confirmed the civil rights activist and mother of the city’s two most recognizable political figures, Maria del Rosario “Rosie” Castro, as the interim council member for District 7 on Thursday morning.
District 7′s Ana Sandoval to resign from San Antonio City Council with just months left in her term
Sandoval, who was first elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2017, has only four-and-a-half months left in her current term, which ends in June. She plans to step down at the end of the month to focus on personal obligations.
Clayton Perry stripped of council committees, Mario Bravo given new assignments amid reshuffle
Following the scandals and “no-confidence” votes on two city council members, Mayor Ron Nirenberg reshuffled City Council assignments Monday, stripping one member’s assignments and restoring another to a more active role on council.
San Antonio City Council to vote on whether to censure District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo after investigation of angry confrontation
The San Antonio City Council is scheduled to decide Thursday whether to censure District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo and issue a vote of “no confidence” over his angry confrontation with District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval.
Censure, no-confidence vote on Mario Bravo after investigation of angry confrontation
An investigation found Bravo’s “actions violated City Council’s rules and expectations that are reflected in City Administrative Directives 4.67 Equal Employment Opportunity/Anti-Harassment and 4.80 Violence in the Workplace,” according to an agenda memo posted online Thursday evening.
Mayor strips Bravo of committee assignments after angry confrontation with Sandoval
Councilman Mario Bravo (D1) has been indefinitely suspended from of his committee assignments and any external appointments following an angry confrontation with Councilwoman Ana Sandoval (D7) ahead of the budget vote on Sep. 15.
Bravo angrily confronted Sandoval ahead of narrow budget vote, leaving her in tears; Mayor expected to act Friday
District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo lit into District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval directly ahead of the city budget vote on Sep. 15, in a confrontation that included personal comments, sources tell KSAT.
City Council passes $3.4B budget, including bill credits to CPS customers
The San Antonio City Council is poised to pass a $3.4 billion budget Thursday that includes pay bumps for employees, dozens of new police officer positions, and a property tax cut. But it is unclear whether council members will follow a staff recommendation to send $50 million in extra revenue back to CPS Energy customers or take more time to figure out an alternate use.
Seven Oaks Apts tenants & activists protest outside owner’s Austin offices
Two busloads of people shouted chants like “no housing, no peace” in front of Achieve Properties’ Austin office Monday. Tenants and activists have been pushing against what they sees as “unfair” eviction notices and subpar conditions at one of the company's San Antonio properties, Seven Oaks Apartments.
SAPD wants to add up to 50 more officers; East and West Side council members against it
Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Councilwoman Teri Castillo were the only dissenting council members in a 7-2 vote on whether to pursue a grant of up to $6.25 million through the U.S. Department of Justice, which would help pay for up to 50 new police officer positions. The pair of freshman council members, who represent the East and West Sides respectively, raised concerns about whether adding officers would help reduce crime and about the increase to SAPD’s budget that would results from it.
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City Council shifts bond money to fund drainage, streets; several members want further cuts to trail system
San Antonio City Council members agreed Wednesday to tweak the city’s upcoming $1.2 billion bond program to send more money to basic infrastructure needs, though nearly half the council members still don’t think it’s enough.
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San Antonio City Council approves $100 H-E-B gift cards as incentive to get COVID-19 vaccine
City council voted Thursday morning 9-1 to approve $1 million of federal grant dollars to spend on up to 10,000 gift cards that will be given to people who complete their vaccination series at Metro Health vaccination sites.
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San Antonio Emergency Preparedness Committee member gives sneak peak of winter storm response findings
The city of San Antonio is hoping the final findings of the February winter storm’s response efforts are polished before being released, which is why the date of release is now June 24 instead of June 15.
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San Antonio council members push for creation of vaccine registry
SAN ANTONIO – Three San Antonio council members have called for a special city council meeting to discuss the creation of a COVID-19 vaccine registry. Council members Ana Sandoval, Rebecca Viagran and John Courage filed the request on Thursday. The council members argue that the city must provide a better way for vulnerable populations to sign up to get a shot. For weeks, council members have struggled to create a plan that improves the signup process. The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has encouraged healthy, younger people to allow vulnerable populations in groups 1A, 1B and 1C to get vaccinated first despite all adults being eligible starting on March 29.
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Future of a San Antonio vaccine waitlist unclear
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio City Council members want a better way to sign up for vaccinations, but it’s not clear what form that might end up taking. The Community Health and Equity Committee discussed the need for easier vaccine registrations during a Tuesday afternoon briefing from the county’s largest vaccine providers, including the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, WellMed, University Health, and UT Health-San Antonio. Some council members, led by District 9 Councilman John Courage, have expressed support for a central registry or waitlist system. Some of the vaccine providers at Tuesday’s meeting spoke against the idea of a registry. “I don’t think any of us are opposed to a single registry, but it will come with problems,” said Dr. Robert Leverence, the chief medical officer for UT Health San Antonio, which began offering vaccine appointments to the public last week.
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Pedestrian deaths from motor vehicles on the rise in San Antonio, leaders say
SAN ANTONIO – As a result of an increase in pedestrian deaths from motor vehicles, city leaders have geared their focus to a specific area of San Antonio. District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said the city was not designed to keep pedestrians in mind. Sandoval classifies Culebra Road as one of the deadliest roadways in San Antonio for pedestrians. “Number one, I would say we need smart roadway design. But on top of that, I think we as the designers also need to understand that pedestrian experience,” Sandoval said.
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San Antonio councilwoman hopes new national advocacy role means more funding for transportation
SAN ANTONIO – A change in administrations in Washington often means a change in policy priorities and a San Antonio councilwoman hopes a new appointment will help the city take advantage of that when it comes to transportation. Ana Sandoval, who represents District 7 on the council, has been appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Services committee of the National League of Cities. The Washington, D.C.-based organization helps municipalities lobby for new laws and federal funding. “There will be some new bills coming forward, legislation that will fund the transportation infrastructure throughout the country,” Sandoval said. She believes more federal funding is needed to help in those efforts.
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San Antonio council members exploring ways to put the brakes on street racing
SAN ANTONIO – Michael Cooreman, a member of several local car clubs, says he’s concerned illegal street racing meetups in the city may give these clubs a bad name. District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, the Public Safety Committee chairperson, said she met with San Antonio Police Chief William McManus in August to address the matter. Cabello Havrda said city staff members are exploring ways to do better. Meanwhile, communities are encouraged to report illegal racing to local police. RELATED: SAPD: Street racing meet up on NE Side turns into fireworks disaster with 2 people losing limbs, fingers
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Two COVID-19 vaccination sites coming to San Antonio’s South Side, West Side
SAN ANTONIO – Two more COVID-19 vaccination sites are coming to the city of San Antonio. San Antonio Councilwomen Rebecca Viagran, Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia and Ana Sandoval announced two more COVID-19 vaccination sites Saturday morning in a press briefing. The South Side vaccine site will be located at WellMed Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center and will officially launch Monday, Jan. 11. City councilwomen said the vaccine site on the South Side will distribute 1,000 doses of Moderna each day. RELATED: City of San Antonio to convert Alamodome into mass, no-cost COVID-19 vaccination site
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Councilwoman Sandoval wants aquifer protection amendment considered for city charter
SAN ANTONIO – It lies under San Antonians' feet, and now District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval wants the Edwards Aquifer put into the city charter. Putting aquifer protection into the city charter, though, which outlines the duties and powers of different city departments, would ensure there’s something to replace the program in the future, Sandoval said. The $100 million replacement funding plan would rely mostly on borrowing money over the course of 10 years. “Just because it’s in the charter doesn’t necessarily mean that future city councils or this city council would fund it,” Perry said. Though city council could place a proposed charter amendment onto the ballot, based on the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations, voters would be the ones to ultimately approve or reject it.
San Antonio City Councilwomen to distribute free safety supplies to microbusinesses
SAN ANTONIO San Antonio City Councilwomen Adriana Rocha Garcia, Shirley Gonzales, Melissa Cabello Havrda and Ana Sandoval have partnered with some local businesses to distribute free safety supplies to micro-businesses and nonprofits in city council districts 4,5,6 and 7. The Councilwomen along with the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Maestro Entrepreneur Center, Southside First, West Side Development Corporation and Port San Antonio will supply area micro-businesses and nonprofits with hand sanitizer, masks, and a touchless thermometer. The supply distribution will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., on Aug. 11 at the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, 3006 Gen. Hudnell Drive. According to a statement by the city of San Antonio, small businesses and area nonprofits combine to be the largest employer in San Antonio, illustrating a clear need for support during the COVID-19 health crisis. The event is a continuation of several district events and the city-wide distribution at the Alamodome in May.
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Resolution declaring racism a public health crisis to go before San Antonio City Council
SAN ANTONIO – The city council will vote on a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis in San Antonio and pledging the city’s commitment to advancing racial equity efforts. The city council’s Community Health and Equity Committee on Friday unanimously approved sending the resolution to the full city council with some changes. Andrews-Sullivan said the resolution is not about racism against just one community, but across the board. Viagran suggested including city boards and commissions in the resolution as well as a commitment to education about the issue. Whether you like it or not, it was part of what happened.”You can view the draft of the resolution the Community Health & Equity Committee considered here:This is a breaking news update.
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Council members raise fists in solidarity with police reform advocates
San Antonio Almost all of the San Antonio City Council members raised fists in solidarity with police reform advocates at a meeting Thursday. And city council, I am calling on you to raise a fist or take a knee if you stand in solidarity with us today.Almost all of the council members could be seen raising their fists during the the moment of silence. If you truly cared and wanted to make a change, you would put together some things that would make a change now, impact now, Pharoah Clark told council members. The council members were considering a resolution outlining priorities for discussions with the San Antonio Police Officer Association for the next union contract. Some of the speakers criticized the council for the upcoming break, though council members and the mayor said that doesnt mean they are going anywhere.
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Check in on them: Don’t forget about seniors during pandemic, San Antonio psychiatrist says
San Antonio – Mental health experts are asking the community to be more vigilant about looking after seniors during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Jason Schillerstrom, a geriatric psychiatrist at UT Health San Antonio who works with Adult Protective Services (APS), said feelings of isolation and loneliness have been magnified by the stay-home restrictions among seniors he visits. District 4 officials say they are also staying in touch with seniors who’ve made contact with them. Other districts say they are in touch with senior centers to check in on any needs. APS reports the number of all contacts to the Texas Abuse Hotline for April decreased when compared to the last two years.
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Leading SA: D7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval talks plans for Bandera Road, SA infrastructure
SAN ANTONIO – One of the most congested roads in the state of Texas is prompting a San Antonio City Councilwoman to call for action. District 7 City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2017 and the first naturalized citizen to serve on the council, says Bandera Road is causing quite a traffic cluster in the city. Councilwoman Sandoval also touched on carbon neutrality, saying it’s still a goal for the Alamo City. If so, we asked Councilwoman Sandoval, is the infrastructure already in place in San Antonio? Maintaining those streets, we also drive a lot on them,” Councilwoman Sandoval said.
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D7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval shares her New Year’s resolution
SAN ANTONIO – As a new decade begins, City Hall reporter Garrett Brnger has been talking with members of the San Antonio City Council about their New Year's resolutions. District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said she wants to advocate for safer streets. To see more resolutions from other San Antonio City Council members, click here.