City Council

Mixed Review For Anti-Discrimination Proposal

Ryan Loyd — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:57:44 +0000

When it comes to city hiring practices or contracts the council awards, District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal believes everyone should be included in protections against discrimination, which is why he’s suggesting an update to San Antonio’s anti-discrimination policies to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and veterans.

Bernal Gets Support, Backlash On Anti-Discrimination Expansion Proposal

Ryan Loyd — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:01:17 +0000

The San Antonio City Council could soon take up an anti-discrimination ordinance to include additional groups.

District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal proposed a policy that would also be consolidated with other anti-discrimination regulations that he said are scattered about in a constellation of codes and ordinances.

City staffers are researching how to go about consolidating the policies. The council’s governance committee will meet Tuesday and decide whether to advance the issue to the full city council.

With Only 7 Percent Voter Turnout In May Election, City Policies Roll On

Ryan Loyd — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:36:43 +0000

Voters cast their ballots over the weekend and now that the city elections are over - except for two June runoffs in Districts 5 and 8 - the direction of policies in San Antonio will largely continue uninterrupted.

This is mostly to do with the fact that voters chose candidates like Mayor Julián Castro, District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal and District 4 Councilman Rey Saldaña, who all support progressive issues.

Rebecca Viagran Unseats Ozuna With Ease In District 3

Ryan Loyd — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:12:37 +0000

San Antonio's South Side has a new councilwoman to represent them at City Hall. Rebecca Viagran clinched 51 percent of the vote, surging far above Leticia Ozuna’s 38 percent.

Ozuna, although not truly an incumbent because she was appointed to the seat a year and a half ago to fill Jennifer Ramos’ unexpired term, was running her first race and expected to win the seat.

She cited experience and her work on technology issues for the city as reasons she should come back for a full term. Mayor Julián Castro also endorsed her.

Following Recent Ethics Questions, City Council Votes To Raise Standards

Ryan Loyd — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:34:12 +0000

New ethics standards are on their way to San Antonio City Hall as the city council voted to add changes to the ethics code after several recent incidents cast a shadow of doubt on city leaders.

The most recent incident was over the vote for a new District 9 library, which was located next to Councilwoman Elisa Chan’s North Side business.

At the time, city staffers working on the project knew the library and Chan’s business, Unitech, were bordering each other, but said nothing to the city council on the matter.

The Source: Election Round-Up And VIA Streetcars

Paul Flahive — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:25:02 +0000

In the first segment:

With several competitive races this election cycle, the city council may see a change in composition next session.

Join Gilbert Garcia from the San Antonio Express-News, Callie Enlow, editor of the the San Antonio Current, and Texas Public Radio's Ryan Loyd as they parse the data and the candidates.

In the second segment:

Helotes-San Antonio Land Dispute Coming To A Resolution

Ryan Loyd — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:38:59 +0000

The cities of Helotes and San Antonio may be close to a resolution on a land deal that would allow the landlocked smaller town to gain additional territory.

A negotiated deal is on the San Antonio City Council agenda next week.

For years, Helotes and its city leaders have been in discussions with San Antonio to acquire 6.7 square miles as part of that town’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). San Antonio offered a smaller piece, but Helotes Mayor Tom Schoolcraft rejected the offer.

Land Battle Tests Usually Friendly Helotes-San Antonio Relationship

Ryan Loyd — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:04:18 +0000

The 2013 land grab is underway between the cities of San Antonio and Helotes. Helotes city leaders are taking on San Antonio with legislation for a few square miles that San Antonio doesn’t want to let go of.

Helotes and residents of the San Antonio Ranch subdivision want the town to scoop up a swath of land that’s in San Antonio’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

The City of Helotes is asking for San Antonio to release a 6.7 square mile parcel of land that is outside of San Antonio’s city limits.

The Source: Ethics In Every Decision At City Hall

Paul Flahive — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:19:33 +0000

In The First Segment:

Art Downey, chairman of the Ethics Review Board, and Brian Chasnoff, a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, join us to talk about the continuing role of ethics in decisions made at City Hall.

After the latest incident, this one involving District 9 Councilwoman Elisa Chan, San Antonio residents want to know what the city plans to do about the culture at City Hall.

Redistricting Forces Candidates Into New District Race

Ryan Loyd — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:39:33 +0000