MELISSA CABELLO HAVRDA

The San Antonio City Council voted 8-3 Thursday morning for the second increase in two years of CPS Energy’s gas and electric rates. This latest rate hike is expected to cost the average residential customer an additional $4.45 per month after it takes effect in February 2024.

San Antonio City Council members are split on the best way to spend unexpected windfalls of CPS Energy money in future years.

A proposal to stave off future CPS Energy rate increases by taking a smaller cut of its revenues has evolved into a smaller-scale plan to send money back to the utility only when its revenues far exceed estimates. City staff say the idea won’t prevent a rate increase, but it could mean those increases are smaller than they would be otherwise.

Expanding a popular mental health team, creating a fund to help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinics, and giving more money for Animal Care Services were among the most high-profile changes council members discussed making to the budget - largely favorably.

A San Antonio councilwoman thinks cutting the city’s $3.7 billion budget proposal could help cut help the legs out from an expected CPS Energy rate increase.

7 Council incumbents were re-elected, including one by a razor thin margin

The San Antonio City Council approved and implemented the responsible bidders ordinance Thursday to give city officials more say when selecting contractors.

Incumbents and newcomers alike began arriving a little after 8 a.m. at San Antonio City Hall on Wednesday to get onto the May 6 city ballot as early as possible.

The City of San Antonio may be forced to consider an ordinance to go after illegal street racing and street takeovers after a viral video posted Sunday of a takeover on I-10 and Callahan triggered safety concerns.

The proposed resolution states, “People have a basic human right to medical services and treatment, including abortion.”

San Antonio may have its answer to cracking down on those who promote illegal street racing and often get the word out via social media.

SAPD identifies 21 micro hot spots of crime where more than 5 violence crimes were reported between October and December of 2021.

While pushing for a rate increase, CPS Energy had promised an outside review of its operations. Now, council members say the utility is following through.

Texas and the San Antonio region will receive a special focus from federal officials as they seek to reduce a growing number of traffic fatalities.

The San Antonio City Council will soon consider a new ordinance that add penalties for spectators of illegal street racing events.

District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda said she’s been working with city staff to establish an emergency fund for people affected by flooding.

San Antonio District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda is asking that those communities that experienced significant new flooding to reach out to her office. She wants to form a plan of action and budget for a fix.

SAN ANTONIO – City of San Antonio officials have determined that telephone town halls, district meetings and a survey will be the tools used to gather residents’ input about possible changes at the San Antonio Police Department. The survey will be conducted in February followed by various meetings in City Council districts in March through May. Some committee members, including District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, said they want to stretch out the community input process longer. The input is being gathered following local and national protests against police violence last year. The protests led City Manager Erik Walsh to announce a plan to examine SAPD’s role in the types of calls officers respond to.

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

SAN ANTONIO – On the eve of the city council’s vote on the FY 2021 budget, proposed amendments to the $2.9 billion document would make small adjustments to areas like housing, health, and small businesses programs. City staff presented $4 million worth of proposed amendments to the city’s operating budget and $2.4 million worth of additional capital spending on Wednesday, following dozens of council member requests. City staff proposed these $4 million worth of amendments to the city budget. City staff are recommending $2.4 million in additional capital funding in the FY 2021 budget. (City of San Antonio)The city council is scheduled to vote on the FY 2021 budget on Thursday, Sep. 17.

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.

SAN ANTONIO Three community listening sessions, as theyre being called, are scheduled for next week, intended for the San Antonio City Council Public Safety Committee to gather feedback on policing in the city. The meetings will be livestreamed on TVSA, AT&T channel 99, Grande channel 20, Spectrum channel 21, digital antenna 16.1, this city website or on San Antonios Facebook page. These listening sessions will provide important guidance regarding the publics priorities and expectations.One in-person event and two virtual meetings are set:Session 1 will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 15, online. Session 2 is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18 at City Council Chambers. In that spirit, we are holding these listening sessions.

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 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda said she wants to “increase mobility” in her Northwest Side district. To see more resolutions from other San Antonio City Council members, click here.

D6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda shares her 2020 resolutions for San AntonioPublished: January 11, 2020, 3:08 pmDistrict 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda said she wants to “increase mobility” in her Northwest Side district.