WEBVTT 00:00.833 --> 00:03.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% On the record is brought to you  by Steve 00:03.000 --> 00:06.000 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% and Adele Dufilho 00:07.933 --> 00:10.066 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% San Antonio is a fast growing, 00:10.066 --> 00:13.700 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% fast moving city with something  new happening every day. 00:13.966 --> 00:17.666 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% That's why each week we go  on the record with Randy Beamer 00:18.200 --> 00:21.200 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% and the newsmakers  who are driving this change. 00:21.433 --> 00:24.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Then we gather at the reporters  roundtable 00:24.266 --> 00:26.633 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% to talk  about the latest news stories 00:26.633 --> 00:28.900 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% with the journalist  behind those stories. 00:28.900 --> 00:31.733 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% Join us now  as we go on the record 00:31.733 --> 00:34.733 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% with Randy Beamer. 00:39.966 --> 00:40.566 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% Hi, everybody, 00:40.566 --> 00:43.833 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% and thank you for joining us for  on the Record again this week. 00:43.866 --> 00:46.666 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% I'm Randy Beamer,  and this is a special edition 00:46.666 --> 00:48.600 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% of On the Record  at the end of the year. 00:48.600 --> 00:50.366 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% We are going to be going through 00:50.366 --> 00:53.966 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% the top five stories  as chosen by a couple of 00:53.966 --> 00:56.466 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% our special guests,  the top journalist 00:56.466 --> 00:59.700 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% in San Antonio, who also come in  and talk about the stories 00:59.700 --> 01:00.466 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% we have. 01:00.466 --> 01:03.533 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% Andrea Rush,  who is local government reporter 01:03.766 --> 01:06.566 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% for the San Antonio  Report and editor in chief 01:06.566 --> 01:11.000 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Sanford Nel, one of  the San Antonio Current five. 01:12.333 --> 01:14.900 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% Number  five the spate of dog attacks. 01:14.900 --> 01:15.633 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% Just this month, 01:15.633 --> 01:18.633 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% you wrote a story about what  the city is doing, 01:18.966 --> 01:23.066 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% raising some minimum fines  about dog attacks, 01:23.066 --> 01:24.733 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% trying to make a difference  in this problem. 01:24.733 --> 01:25.000 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 01:25.000 --> 01:27.300 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% So we're going on year  two of dogs as a theme 01:27.300 --> 01:29.300 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% for story of the Year in San  Antonio. 01:29.300 --> 01:31.633 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% We've had now,  I think our seventh, 01:31.633 --> 01:33.600 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% dangerous attacker or seventh, 01:33.600 --> 01:35.366 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% mauling of this year  in San Antonio. 01:35.366 --> 01:38.500 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% But this started back  in, February of 2023, 01:38.500 --> 01:40.000 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% when we had an 81 year  old veteran 01:40.000 --> 01:42.633 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% who was mauled to death  by some dogs in San Antonio. 01:42.633 --> 01:43.966 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% That really started. 01:43.966 --> 01:45.933 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% Yeah, started  this whole discussion. 01:45.933 --> 01:48.633 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And so then this past month,  we finally reached 01:48.633 --> 01:49.800 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% some conclusions at City Hall. 01:49.800 --> 01:52.800 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% They're going to increase fines  for if dogs are off of a leash. 01:52.966 --> 01:55.033 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And they instituted a $1,000  minimum 01:55.033 --> 01:57.400 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% fine for  if your dog bites somebody. 01:57.400 --> 02:01.966 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And you were talking about  how this is such a long problem 02:01.966 --> 02:06.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% that we have had not just since  February of 2023, but decades. 02:06.133 --> 02:06.366 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 02:06.366 --> 02:09.333 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% I mean, this is  this is a situation where, 02:09.333 --> 02:13.533 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% you know, animal care services  went before the city, council 02:13.533 --> 02:15.633 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% during the budgeting process  and said, 02:15.633 --> 02:16.766 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% look, you know,  we know that there's 02:16.766 --> 02:18.500 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% just this problem going on. 02:18.500 --> 02:20.666 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% We we're we're not even able 02:20.666 --> 02:24.133 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% to respond to all of the calls  we get about dangerous dogs. 02:24.466 --> 02:26.466 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% I mean, and it was  it was alarming the, 02:26.466 --> 02:29.266 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% the lack of response  that they admitted 02:29.266 --> 02:30.466 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% that they, they had they 02:30.466 --> 02:31.533 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% so they were understaffed,  something. 02:31.533 --> 02:33.833 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Like one third of critical calls  get a response. 02:33.833 --> 02:35.433 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% The rest maybe get a letter  some day. 02:35.433 --> 02:35.766 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 02:35.766 --> 02:36.166 position:40% line:84.67% size:50% Right. 02:36.166 --> 02:40.033 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And so, you know, the budget,  they got a 33% budget increase, 02:40.033 --> 02:42.500 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% which was the biggest  of any city department. 02:42.500 --> 02:44.800 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And these kind of things  raise the question, 02:44.800 --> 02:47.033 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% why in San Antonio do  we continue 02:47.033 --> 02:50.933 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% to have problems like this  that just snowball and we don't 02:51.566 --> 02:55.733 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% take serious steps  about solving them until it's 02:55.733 --> 02:57.533 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% really kind of reached  this cataclysmic level. 02:57.533 --> 02:59.566 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% It's like, you know,  when Brackenridge Park, 02:59.566 --> 03:02.233 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% we don't maintain  Brackenridge Park for decades, 03:02.233 --> 03:04.466 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% and then suddenly everybody's  surprised when, 03:04.466 --> 03:04.866 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% you know, 03:04.866 --> 03:07.866 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% we're having to chop down trees  and repair these crumbling, 03:08.500 --> 03:10.066 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% you know, walls  that are in danger 03:10.066 --> 03:12.266 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% of spilling over and,  you know, hurting somebody. 03:12.266 --> 03:14.500 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Although we did  last year after the first, 03:15.933 --> 03:17.866 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% dog attack,  the fatal dog attack, 03:17.866 --> 03:20.133 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% go to the legislature,  and it looked like 03:20.133 --> 03:22.733 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% they were going to have  a solution. 03:22.733 --> 03:25.033 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% Yeah, but in, 03:25.033 --> 03:28.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% as a nod to that, maybe this is  a San Antonio specific problem. 03:28.266 --> 03:29.633 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% They came up  with some legislation, 03:29.633 --> 03:32.100 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% and all of the other Texas  cities said 03:32.100 --> 03:33.566 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% they maybe you guys do  your own thing, 03:33.566 --> 03:35.266 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% San Antonio,  get your own dog problem. 03:35.266 --> 03:35.933 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% They ended up 03:35.933 --> 03:38.933 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% narrowing that legislation down  to where it would only, 03:39.166 --> 03:41.966 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% if applicable, to San Antonio. 03:41.966 --> 03:44.766 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% And then Governor  Abbott vetoed it and also said, 03:44.766 --> 03:46.900 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% I don't think that  criminalization of dog owners 03:46.900 --> 03:48.666 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% is like the way to solve  your problem. 03:48.666 --> 03:50.233 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% Come back  with some other answers. 03:50.233 --> 03:51.433 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% Do you think this one, 03:51.433 --> 03:55.633 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% the fines will go  to the legislature or something? 03:55.633 --> 03:57.966 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% We'll go to the legislature  and maybe 03:57.966 --> 04:01.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% knock down those fines or not,  because Abbott's not real happy 04:01.633 --> 04:05.200 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% with any kind of local control  over anything, really. 04:05.500 --> 04:07.100 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% But a big piece of this. 04:07.100 --> 04:08.233 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% The most recent rules 04:08.233 --> 04:10.233 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% that the city came up with  was an allowance 04:10.233 --> 04:12.700 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% that if you have a neighbor  with an issue with a dog, 04:12.700 --> 04:14.300 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% you can report their dog  and get it 04:14.300 --> 04:17.000 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% on the dangerous dog list,  which means that it has 04:17.000 --> 04:18.766 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% to have certain issues to go out  with. 04:18.766 --> 04:21.400 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% A muzzle has to have  a certain regulations. 04:21.400 --> 04:22.700 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And they said you can do that  anonymously 04:22.700 --> 04:24.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% because they didn't want people  to feel intimidated 04:24.266 --> 04:26.166 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% by reporting their neighbor. And 04:27.233 --> 04:28.500 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% you would  still eventually find out 04:28.500 --> 04:30.900 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% if you go to court  who accused you and your dog. 04:30.900 --> 04:32.366 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% But the next step, 04:32.366 --> 04:33.933 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% they're saying is,  take that to the legislature 04:33.933 --> 04:36.433 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% and see if it can be  a permanently anonymous process. 04:36.433 --> 04:38.766 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Animal lawyers are skeptical  that this is the solution 04:38.766 --> 04:39.233 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% to this. 04:39.233 --> 04:40.466 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% Other cities are skeptical that. 04:40.466 --> 04:43.666 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% This is maybe Ken Paxton or Greg  Abbott saying due process. 04:44.133 --> 04:47.100 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% That's not you're not giving  a dog owner a due process. 04:47.100 --> 04:47.633 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% What do you think? 04:47.633 --> 04:49.000 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% Yeah, this is a problem 04:49.000 --> 04:53.300 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% that has been snowballing for,  for, for years, decades even. 04:53.466 --> 04:56.800 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% I have had friends  come to San Antonio, 04:56.800 --> 04:58.966 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% stay in Airbnbs  and up and coming neighborhoods 04:58.966 --> 05:01.533 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% and say, you know,  I really love Dignity Hill, 05:01.533 --> 05:02.466 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% but damn, 05:02.466 --> 05:05.600 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% you got a lot of stray dogs  running around San Antonio, 05:05.700 --> 05:08.666 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% a lot of people, people  from other cities noticed this. 05:08.900 --> 05:12.000 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% And I think we  for some reason have become, 05:12.233 --> 05:15.300 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% you know, you know, immune to it  until it started, 05:15.300 --> 05:18.000 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% you know, it's  still you still you saw, 05:18.000 --> 05:21.100 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% Ramone that had attacked  and killed on the street 05:21.100 --> 05:22.033 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% in front of his brother. 05:22.033 --> 05:23.066 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% And a lot of what they say 05:23.066 --> 05:26.100 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% isn't stray dogs  so much as people 05:26.100 --> 05:27.966 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% who own those dogs,  just letting them loose. 05:27.966 --> 05:29.866 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And that's what they hope  this will crackdown on. 05:29.866 --> 05:30.033 position:40% line:84.67% size:50% Right. 05:30.033 --> 05:30.733 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Well, 05:30.733 --> 05:32.166 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% I think  that's part of the answer. 05:32.166 --> 05:33.600 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% But I also think education, 05:33.600 --> 05:36.200 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% I also think, spay  neuter programs. 05:36.200 --> 05:40.133 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I think I think if we're going  to undo this amount of neglect, 05:40.133 --> 05:43.733 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% it's going to take a action  on a lot of fronts for. 05:45.333 --> 05:46.033 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% And now the number 05:46.033 --> 05:51.366 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% four story in San Antonio  for 2024, the charter review 05:51.366 --> 05:55.800 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% and the charter amendments  passing in November. 05:55.800 --> 05:59.600 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And that is going to have,  a little bit of an impact 05:59.933 --> 06:01.666 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% on how much the mayor makes,  how much city 06:01.666 --> 06:04.700 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% council makes,  and also on the city manager, 06:04.700 --> 06:07.733 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% because that was somewhat  controversial, years ago. 06:07.766 --> 06:10.766 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% Tell us about the charter  amendments and and the review. 06:11.233 --> 06:11.433 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 06:11.433 --> 06:13.966 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I mean, there were six of them  that came up, 06:13.966 --> 06:17.933 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% and they proved to be  surprisingly non-controversial 06:17.933 --> 06:19.033 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% for the most part. Right? 06:19.033 --> 06:22.033 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% I mean, voters passed  all of them, 06:22.333 --> 06:26.033 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% the, the although, it's  worth pointing out that the, 06:26.033 --> 06:29.500 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% the pay raises  and the term limit extension, 06:30.233 --> 06:33.500 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% both of those passed by  just north of 50%. 06:33.766 --> 06:35.933 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% So those barely  passed. The rest of them, 06:37.100 --> 06:39.133 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% pretty overwhelmingly passed, 06:39.133 --> 06:42.933 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% in the big one,  I think, was the, you know, the, 06:43.900 --> 06:48.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% pay raise that we saw for mayor,  city council, city manager. 06:48.166 --> 06:52.400 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% Of course, there was,  you know, the fire union, 06:53.300 --> 06:56.533 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% initially convinced  voters to pass a, 06:57.533 --> 07:00.900 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% you know, a punitive measure  that was designed hitting back 07:00.900 --> 07:02.933 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% against the city manager, 07:02.933 --> 07:05.866 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Cheryl Scully, who was a city  manager, as a personal thing. 07:05.866 --> 07:06.400 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% Oh, yeah. 07:06.400 --> 07:09.733 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% They were in a fight over  a union, over a labor contract. 07:09.733 --> 07:12.166 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And that was sort of their way,  it hitting back at her. 07:12.166 --> 07:15.200 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% Ultimately, that led to her  leaving city government. 07:15.200 --> 07:19.233 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% And it put, not only,  pay limits on what 07:19.233 --> 07:22.233 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% the the city manager can earn,  but also term limits. 07:22.466 --> 07:23.733 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% So Eric Walsh, 07:23.733 --> 07:24.700 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% who was the current city 07:24.700 --> 07:27.700 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% manager, looked like  he would have to leave in 2027. 07:28.100 --> 07:32.200 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Now that voters have approved,  that change, he doesn't have to. 07:32.200 --> 07:34.566 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% Leave and he could also  make more money. 07:34.566 --> 07:37.566 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And so this all ended with,  you know, a conversation about, 07:37.566 --> 07:39.166 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% will we really need to restore, 07:39.166 --> 07:39.466 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% you know, 07:39.466 --> 07:41.333 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% put the power back in the hands  of the city council, 07:41.333 --> 07:43.266 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% just like a company's  board would have the power 07:43.266 --> 07:44.566 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% to hire and fire their CEO. 07:44.566 --> 07:46.400 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% That's  that's the right way to do this. 07:46.400 --> 07:48.133 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% And then came back with a plan 07:48.133 --> 07:49.800 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% to give him a raise  that would make him the second 07:49.800 --> 07:52.033 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% highest paid city manager  in all of Texas. 07:52.033 --> 07:55.933 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% That would be a a $87,000 raise  that they're going to consider 07:55.933 --> 07:57.366 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% at the next meeting. 07:57.366 --> 08:00.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% That would put him at $461,000,  still less than Cheryl 08:00.633 --> 08:02.633 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Scully was making,  but more than everybody. 08:02.633 --> 08:03.933 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% It's up  to the city manager in Austin. 08:03.933 --> 08:06.766 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% But it seems like all  they're all happy with him. 08:06.766 --> 08:09.466 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And he, as I understand, I'm  trying to remember 08:09.466 --> 08:12.200 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% when he was in junior high,  he was planning 08:12.200 --> 08:14.666 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% to be city manager.  He was like training himself. 08:14.666 --> 08:16.200 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% That's  what he's always wanted to be. 08:16.200 --> 08:20.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Well, and so I think six people  or at least a half dozen city 08:20.200 --> 08:21.200 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% assistant city managers 08:21.200 --> 08:23.000 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% applied for that job  when he was chosen. 08:23.000 --> 08:24.300 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% I'm sure some of them  were thinking, he's 08:24.300 --> 08:26.133 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% going to hit this term  limit in 2027. 08:26.133 --> 08:28.800 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% There's a job for me to be had.  Not the case anymore. 08:28.800 --> 08:31.800 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% But also the,  what they were going to pay 08:32.066 --> 08:33.700 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% the mayor when the charter  review came out. 08:33.700 --> 08:35.666 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% First they were going to pay  or they recommended 08:35.666 --> 08:37.400 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% paying the mayor and city 08:37.400 --> 08:39.433 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% council members  more than they wound 08:39.433 --> 08:41.600 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% up on the charter review  or the charter amendment. 08:41.600 --> 08:43.266 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Right? Yeah. That's correct.  Very dramatic. 08:43.266 --> 08:47.466 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% It was, they suggested $125,000,  I think, for the mayor. 08:47.800 --> 08:50.766 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And that the people who came  for the charter review meetings 08:50.766 --> 08:52.200 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% were not happy with that. 08:52.200 --> 08:56.100 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% But the pay equity thing  has been such, a sticky subject, 08:56.100 --> 08:57.500 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% even when it was just city  council. 08:57.500 --> 08:59.033 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% City council  got that recommendation 08:59.033 --> 09:00.900 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% from the Charter Review  Commission and said, 09:00.900 --> 09:03.066 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% we need to pare this back down. 09:03.066 --> 09:04.333 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% But even amongst  the ten of them, 09:04.333 --> 09:06.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% it was one of the most dramatic  discussions of the year. 09:06.633 --> 09:09.833 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% What is fair pay in a city  where there's so much need? 09:10.466 --> 09:12.966 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And there were certainly some  some name calling on the day 09:12.966 --> 09:13.566 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% as every. 09:13.566 --> 09:16.100 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Yes, the three lawyers said,  this is enough money. 09:16.100 --> 09:18.300 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% And everyone else. Yes.  No, it's not. 09:18.300 --> 09:20.066 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Including some of.  The happier to work out. 09:20.066 --> 09:22.666 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% Yeah. Part time jobs  while they're on city council. 09:22.666 --> 09:22.866 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 09:22.866 --> 09:25.900 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% And it goes back  to, Phil Harshbarger 09:26.200 --> 09:28.333 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% when he first wanted  to get people 09:28.333 --> 09:31.566 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% getting more than what was a $20  a meeting or whatever, 09:31.566 --> 09:32.800 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% that they weren't  getting anything. 09:32.800 --> 09:33.800 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% And people were saying,  that's why 09:33.800 --> 09:36.833 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% we have people who have gone  to prison and things like that 09:36.833 --> 09:37.933 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% on the city council. 09:37.933 --> 09:38.233 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 09:38.233 --> 09:40.933 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Well, I think,  I think you can look back at it. 09:40.933 --> 09:42.333 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% Another factor 09:42.333 --> 09:44.266 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% there in terms of the bad  old days 09:44.266 --> 09:49.366 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% of some of that behavior on city  council, it went in, 1991, 09:50.000 --> 09:52.066 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% they passed these, these, 09:52.066 --> 09:53.766 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% term limits  that basically limited 09:53.766 --> 09:56.566 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% people to, to two year  terms on council. 09:56.566 --> 10:00.333 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And so you really had, you  had, let's just say, some fairly 10:00.333 --> 10:02.833 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% unserious people  running for that office. 10:03.900 --> 10:06.533 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% And, and consequently, 10:06.533 --> 10:11.866 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% you know, we saw that up  to, to, to for two year term. 10:11.866 --> 10:15.233 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And now it's, changed to two,  four. 10:15.233 --> 10:16.633 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% Year term. That's correct. 10:16.633 --> 10:21.066 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% So they say they won't have to  campaign nonstop to. 10:21.066 --> 10:22.966 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% Get a big raise,  and they don't have to run 10:22.966 --> 10:25.966 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% for reelection as often. Three. 10:26.933 --> 10:29.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And that does bring us to number  three 10:29.000 --> 10:32.900 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% of the top stories of 2024  horse drawn carriages. 10:32.900 --> 10:36.833 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% After being an issue again  for decades, city Council 10:36.833 --> 10:39.833 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% just voted ten to nothing  to phase them out. 10:39.833 --> 10:45.100 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% But over a period of five years,  anyone surprised by that. 10:45.833 --> 10:47.400 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% Was the first Texas city  to do it. 10:47.400 --> 10:48.700 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% Lots of cities across  the country 10:48.700 --> 10:50.466 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% have been talking about this.  Some of them. 10:50.466 --> 10:52.533 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% There is now a really active  horse drawn 10:52.533 --> 10:54.666 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% carriage lobby  that fights these things. 10:54.666 --> 10:56.200 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% They actually tried  to pass legislation 10:56.200 --> 10:57.466 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% in the last two sessions 10:57.466 --> 10:59.366 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% to protect horse drawn  carriages in Texas. 10:59.366 --> 11:01.566 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% They're passing  that all over the country. 11:01.566 --> 11:04.400 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% They thought they were protected  by that larger preemption bill 11:04.400 --> 11:05.766 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% that's sort of tied up in the  courts. 11:05.766 --> 11:07.533 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% But this all started, 11:08.700 --> 11:10.366 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% what, two years ago now, 11:10.366 --> 11:13.033 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% if CCR was filed  a council request 11:13.033 --> 11:15.866 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% for consideration  to phase these things out, 11:15.866 --> 11:18.866 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% as Councilman Jalen Mickey  Rodriguez and Councilwoman, 11:19.366 --> 11:22.966 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Phyllis Vega on who she ended up  being kind of a skeptic 11:22.966 --> 11:26.533 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% of this plan by the end after  meeting with the the industry. 11:27.233 --> 11:29.633 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% She wanted the five year, 11:29.633 --> 11:31.200 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% phase out  instead of three years. 11:31.200 --> 11:32.800 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% She ended up saying  she wasn't going to vote for it 11:32.800 --> 11:34.900 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% unless they extended it  to a five year transition plan. 11:34.900 --> 11:37.233 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% You had some council members  at the last minute saying, 11:37.233 --> 11:39.300 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I don't know that we've proven  that there's a 11:39.300 --> 11:41.066 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% a transition plan  for these folks. 11:41.066 --> 11:42.000 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% And this was some of the most 11:42.000 --> 11:43.600 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% dramatic council  meetings of the year. 11:43.600 --> 11:45.800 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% They packed these meetings with, 11:45.800 --> 11:49.100 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% farriers and large animal  veterinarians and her horse 11:49.100 --> 11:50.166 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% drawn carriage drivers 11:50.166 --> 11:52.333 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% to talk about their jobs  and these horses. 11:52.333 --> 11:56.000 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And it was hours and hours  and hours of discussion on this 11:56.233 --> 11:58.533 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% over the course of two years  that ended in this ban 11:58.533 --> 12:00.566 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% that, still five years down  the road, doesn't 12:00.566 --> 12:02.600 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% start cutting back hours  and stuff for three years, but. 12:02.600 --> 12:06.533 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% It also doesn't really give,  you know, they had talked about 12:06.533 --> 12:09.533 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% phasing  out or moving to, electric, 12:10.933 --> 12:12.633 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% carriages and things like that 12:12.633 --> 12:16.500 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% that wasn't brought up in this  or I mean, they talk about that, 12:16.500 --> 12:19.533 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% but not put it in the,  in the language, in the, in the. 12:20.266 --> 12:21.600 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% Report  about all kinds of things. 12:21.600 --> 12:23.033 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% They thought  about moving them to parks. 12:23.033 --> 12:24.700 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% They said, let's get them off  city streets. 12:24.700 --> 12:26.433 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% They didn't wind up going that  route. 12:26.433 --> 12:29.200 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% They thought about, the electric  carriages, 12:29.200 --> 12:30.566 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% a transition  to electric carriages. 12:30.566 --> 12:32.066 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% One of my favorite quotes  from all of the city 12:32.066 --> 12:33.366 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% council meetings  was the research 12:33.366 --> 12:35.100 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% they had done on horse  drawn carriage drivers, 12:35.100 --> 12:37.366 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% and they were like, well,  they're kind of, 12:37.366 --> 12:40.000 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% entrepreneurial  and and they like horses. 12:40.000 --> 12:42.066 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% So I don't know if the electric  carriages are going to work. 12:42.066 --> 12:45.066 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% But do you think, again,  talking about the, 12:45.500 --> 12:47.900 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% campaigns coming up  and a number of council members 12:47.900 --> 12:48.866 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% running for mayor, 12:48.866 --> 12:52.400 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% I don't believe many realize  he abstained from this vote. 12:52.600 --> 12:54.700 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% I think. That  it wouldn't be fast enough. 12:54.700 --> 12:56.566 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% We wanted them off the streets  ASAP. 12:56.566 --> 12:59.900 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% So, but do you think that's  going to affect 12:59.966 --> 13:01.866 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% what they do next on this? 13:01.866 --> 13:02.966 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% Or if they do. 13:02.966 --> 13:06.200 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% More, I would not be surprised  if we saw them, 13:07.033 --> 13:10.400 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% moving towards approving  some sort of electric carriages 13:10.400 --> 13:13.900 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% or some,  some other sort of alternative 13:13.900 --> 13:16.933 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% transportation downtown  that appeals to tourists. 13:16.933 --> 13:19.300 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% I mean, I do I do think  you could make the case, 13:21.066 --> 13:24.166 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% that a number  of the people on the, on council 13:24.266 --> 13:28.066 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% were less concerned about these  things moving slow and being a, 13:28.633 --> 13:32.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% a potential traffic obstruction  and more about the animal 13:32.000 --> 13:33.366 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% welfare part of it. 13:33.366 --> 13:36.366 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% I guess the question becomes,  do you get enough support, 13:37.100 --> 13:37.666 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% for that? 13:37.666 --> 13:39.200 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% But again, with the legislature 13:39.200 --> 13:43.700 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% or session coming up in January,  do you think the legislature 13:43.700 --> 13:48.100 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% will kill this idea  of where you can, city can ban? 13:48.400 --> 13:49.833 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% If I had to guess, yes. 13:49.833 --> 13:51.233 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% They opened that carriage. 13:51.233 --> 13:53.400 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% Horse folks have openly courted, 13:53.400 --> 13:56.333 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Dustin Burrows,  the guy who wrote the the larger 13:56.333 --> 13:56.966 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% preemption bill. 13:56.966 --> 13:59.700 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% They're asking Ken Paxton  for help on this. 13:59.700 --> 14:01.233 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% They're making an open appeal 14:01.233 --> 14:04.333 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% to people that agro  tourism needs protection. 14:04.666 --> 14:07.566 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% And we've certainly seen, 14:07.566 --> 14:11.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% the Republican elected officials  at the state level 14:11.566 --> 14:15.700 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% eager to punish  big blue municipalities 14:15.700 --> 14:17.833 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% like San Antonio.  And that's just been a theme 14:17.833 --> 14:19.466 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% that's been running  for years now. 14:19.466 --> 14:21.333 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And this will be the next  kind of 14:21.333 --> 14:23.033 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I don't want to say culture war,  but it is. 14:23.033 --> 14:24.633 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% I've heard Texas. 14:24.633 --> 14:26.100 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% Turned into one 14:26.100 --> 14:26.700 position:35% line:84.67% size:55% in which it 14:26.700 --> 14:29.000 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% so surprised me from  the beginning of this argument. 14:29.000 --> 14:31.166 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% And then it turned out, 14:31.166 --> 14:31.800 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% you know, the 14:31.800 --> 14:33.466 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% there was a lot of animal  welfare concerns, 14:33.466 --> 14:34.966 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% and the accidents  involving horses. 14:34.966 --> 14:36.366 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And they said, actually,  there isn't 14:36.366 --> 14:37.733 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% any of that happening  in San Antonio. 14:37.733 --> 14:40.766 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% We have one of the most highly  regulated horse drawn carriage 14:41.433 --> 14:43.066 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% operations in the country. 14:43.066 --> 14:44.900 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% There's there's  very few incidents here. 14:44.900 --> 14:48.266 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% And then it sort of changed  the argument to horse, 14:49.533 --> 14:50.833 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% Exploitation, that 14:50.833 --> 14:53.833 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% it wasn't necessarily cruelty,  but exploitation. 14:53.833 --> 14:54.366 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 14:54.366 --> 14:56.333 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% And I always think of  one of the first conversations 14:56.333 --> 14:57.933 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% that I'd had about  this was with them, 14:57.933 --> 14:59.666 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% the veterinarian for the city  who said, 14:59.666 --> 15:02.533 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% we have so many mistreated  animals in this city, 15:02.533 --> 15:03.733 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% I can tell you  that the horses are one 15:03.733 --> 15:06.733 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% of the most regulated ones. To 15:07.500 --> 15:10.133 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% the number two story  that had a development 15:10.133 --> 15:13.266 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% just this month as well  is the missions 15:13.266 --> 15:16.733 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% baseball stadium  and the complex around it. 15:16.733 --> 15:19.733 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% The last, I guess, obstacle, 15:19.833 --> 15:22.766 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% SARS, these parking lot. 15:22.766 --> 15:24.300 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% C-i-s-d said, okay, 15:24.300 --> 15:26.733 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% you can have it,  but there's a deal on this, 15:26.733 --> 15:29.466 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% so it's still early,  but you think the missions 15:29.466 --> 15:32.433 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% baseball stadium  and that whole complex is a go, 15:33.933 --> 15:35.100 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% That's an interesting one. 15:35.100 --> 15:37.566 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% No, I mean, I think it it is, 15:39.066 --> 15:41.533 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% it seems likely that, you know, 15:41.533 --> 15:44.566 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% if the board at C-I-S-D  approved it, 15:46.200 --> 15:49.366 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% that there it's going to be  a serious attempt to negotiate 15:49.500 --> 15:52.500 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% that particular deal. 15:53.233 --> 15:56.433 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% We'll see if you know  how much is too much in terms 15:56.433 --> 15:58.900 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% of what they're asking,  but they already have sort of 15:58.900 --> 16:02.066 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% come back a little bit off of  there are initial, 16:03.533 --> 16:06.533 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% demand because they had. A lot  and they have leverage. 16:06.533 --> 16:08.400 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% They were the last piece  of the puzzle. 16:08.400 --> 16:08.566 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 16:08.566 --> 16:09.400 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% Let's go backwards here. 16:09.400 --> 16:09.766 position:40% line:84.67% size:50% You ask 16:09.766 --> 16:12.033 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% if this is likely to happen  of the two 16:12.033 --> 16:14.366 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% big stadium plans  that we're talking about, 16:14.366 --> 16:16.166 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% this one, the developer, Weston 16:16.166 --> 16:19.133 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Urban, already owns  most of the property. 16:19.166 --> 16:20.966 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% City and county  have been relatively on board. 16:20.966 --> 16:23.966 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% This last piece of land,  this last parcel of a dusty 16:23.966 --> 16:25.900 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% parking  lot owned by a San Antonio ISD, 16:27.166 --> 16:29.433 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% may or may  not have been critical to it. 16:29.433 --> 16:31.433 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% That kind of came up  at the school board because. 16:31.433 --> 16:32.900 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% The stadium. Stadium won't go. 16:32.900 --> 16:34.066 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% There isn't going to go there. 16:34.066 --> 16:37.700 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% It's the stadium  funding relies on a lot of other 16:37.700 --> 16:41.133 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% development in that area  to pay back the bonds. 16:41.366 --> 16:43.800 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% Needs the money from that  development to pay off bond. 16:43.800 --> 16:45.333 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% So tax increment reinvestment. 16:45.333 --> 16:45.700 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 16:45.700 --> 16:48.300 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% So it is a careful balance  of how this all comes together. 16:48.300 --> 16:49.433 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% But they own most of the land. 16:49.433 --> 16:51.600 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% So it seems like that  one's a better bet 16:51.600 --> 16:55.533 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% than the other stadium project  looming this year. 16:55.700 --> 16:59.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% The, the C-I-S-D superintendent  we had in we were talking 16:59.000 --> 17:02.366 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% with him and he, I don't know  if was on camera or off, said, 17:02.500 --> 17:04.066 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% you know,  we have a lot of leverage. 17:04.066 --> 17:06.500 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% And they use that because they 17:06.500 --> 17:09.966 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% they got a whole lot aside  from a lot more money 17:10.166 --> 17:12.100 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% than the land  is worth currently. Right. 17:12.100 --> 17:13.166 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% They had really it wasn't. 17:13.166 --> 17:15.800 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% They asked for 20 times  the value of the land currently. 17:15.800 --> 17:17.133 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% That is what one developer said. 17:17.133 --> 17:19.166 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And they were criticized  for being, 17:19.166 --> 17:21.333 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% exploitive of this process. 17:21.333 --> 17:24.666 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% The, the they took a lot  of criticism for their asks. 17:24.666 --> 17:27.566 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% And in the end,  they got some of them. 17:27.566 --> 17:28.700 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% They didn't get some of them. 17:28.700 --> 17:30.433 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Interestingly,  the tough thing on their list 17:30.433 --> 17:33.366 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% that they wanted was affordable  housing promises. 17:33.366 --> 17:36.066 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% Well, and,  and and that is interesting 17:36.066 --> 17:39.200 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% because, I mean,  we have seen despite the, 17:40.733 --> 17:43.566 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% you know,  city leaders continued, 17:43.566 --> 17:46.333 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% statements about we understand  San Antonio has an affordable 17:46.333 --> 17:49.066 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% housing crisis, and we're doing  something about it. 17:49.066 --> 17:52.466 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Here is an example  where you have a a low cost. 17:52.466 --> 17:55.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% It's not technically classified  as an affordable housing. 17:55.633 --> 17:58.400 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% So factory  apartments. Have. Torn down. 17:58.400 --> 18:01.833 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% But they are affordable  housing units downtown. 18:01.833 --> 18:02.200 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% And there 18:02.200 --> 18:05.766 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% aren't very many affordable  housing units downtown at all. 18:06.033 --> 18:09.033 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% And they're basically  going to raise this property, 18:09.033 --> 18:10.433 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% move those people out. 18:10.433 --> 18:12.133 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% And I think. 18:12.133 --> 18:13.933 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% But there's no real timeline  on that yet. 18:13.933 --> 18:14.866 position:40% line:84.67% size:50% Right? 18:14.866 --> 18:17.800 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% There is a timeline,  but it's a few years and 18:17.800 --> 18:18.433 position:35% line:84.67% size:55% but before 18:18.433 --> 18:21.433 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% before the entire complex goes,  it's going to basically be, 18:21.566 --> 18:24.566 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% as I understand it, knocked down  into two different phases, 18:24.666 --> 18:27.533 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% but they're already  sort of were, 18:27.533 --> 18:30.366 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% you know, people  that started moving out 18:30.366 --> 18:33.500 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% and one of the issues we saw  was it the city said. 18:33.500 --> 18:35.133 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% And Weston Urban  said, we're going 18:35.133 --> 18:38.200 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% to give you 2500 bucks  to cover your move out, 18:38.466 --> 18:41.166 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% and we're going to set up this  help this nonprofit to 18:41.166 --> 18:42.600 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% sort of coordinate things. 18:44.000 --> 18:45.766 position:35% line:84.67% size:55% Meanwhile, 18:45.766 --> 18:47.333 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% some people  have already moved out 18:47.333 --> 18:49.566 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% and they're saying,  where's my money? 18:49.566 --> 18:52.633 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And alas, the city and Weston  Urban are saying, well, 18:52.633 --> 18:55.266 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% you know,  it was all contingent upon us, 18:55.266 --> 18:56.666 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% getting this deal  moving forward. 18:56.666 --> 19:00.100 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% And and here is here's  the essay question mark over it. 19:00.100 --> 19:02.966 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% So we can't really pay you  until that gets resolved. 19:02.966 --> 19:03.433 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% But they did 19:03.433 --> 19:07.633 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% get the seat on the,  San Antonio Housing Trust Board. 19:07.633 --> 19:07.933 position:42.5% line:84.67% size:47.5% Yeah. 19:07.933 --> 19:11.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% So strange, right, that a school  district wants to be involved 19:11.266 --> 19:12.500 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% that involved that level 19:12.500 --> 19:14.233 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% of involvement  in affordable housing. 19:14.233 --> 19:16.466 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% But they have had to close  schools this year. 19:16.466 --> 19:20.333 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% They see their student,  their, school aged population 19:20.333 --> 19:23.333 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% shrinking in this in the  the urban core. 19:23.500 --> 19:26.600 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And it's led to school closures  that were widely unpopular 19:26.600 --> 19:28.133 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% that they took a ton  of criticism for. 19:28.133 --> 19:30.433 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And so it's a really interesting  argument 19:30.433 --> 19:31.833 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% happening at that  school board meeting this 19:32.800 --> 19:34.233 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% week about why 19:34.233 --> 19:36.100 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% affordable housing  is become their interest. 19:36.100 --> 19:39.666 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% But but if you  if you have that exodus, I mean 19:40.200 --> 19:43.200 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% that's a school age children  you know. Yes. 19:43.200 --> 19:44.500 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% It's not just downtown, it's 19:44.500 --> 19:46.900 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% in their whole district  as there are a lot district. 19:46.900 --> 19:47.600 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% Yeah, yeah, yeah. 19:47.600 --> 19:51.466 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I mean, I think, I think it's,  I think it's easy to see why 19:51.466 --> 19:53.233 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% there's some concern there 19:53.233 --> 19:55.800 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% from the, from the trustees  about losing affordable 19:55.800 --> 19:58.933 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% housing in their district  and having kids moving out. 19:59.266 --> 20:02.200 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% I do I do think it was  interesting, though, that, 20:02.200 --> 20:03.566 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% you know, we kind of, 20:03.566 --> 20:06.233 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% saw city council  in people at the city level 20:06.233 --> 20:09.233 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% put the cart before the horse  in that they basically had this 20:09.466 --> 20:13.066 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% this council vote in October  wasn't right. 20:13.266 --> 20:14.600 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% What they said  there was a deadline 20:14.600 --> 20:15.866 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% for the Major League Baseball. 20:15.866 --> 20:17.800 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% Had this deadline that. 20:17.800 --> 20:20.833 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% But, you know, the past the  the team was going to explode 20:20.833 --> 20:22.533 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% and everything  was going to be terrible 20:22.533 --> 20:25.033 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% if we didn't hit this deadline  and have a deal. And, 20:25.033 --> 20:27.600 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% you know, so the city Council  voted to approve this thing. 20:27.600 --> 20:28.800 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% And then we realized, oh, 20:28.800 --> 20:30.933 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% they haven't done a deal  with that c-i-s-d. 20:30.933 --> 20:34.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And it turns out that's trickier  than some people thought, and 20:35.133 --> 20:38.800 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% that's relocating people out  of, the soap factory. 20:38.800 --> 20:40.800 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% That's a little trickier  than we thought to. 20:40.800 --> 20:41.933 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% Yeah, it just seemed like 20:41.933 --> 20:45.166 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% there was this eagerness  to get this deal done by what 20:45.166 --> 20:48.133 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I think a lot of critics would  argue is an artificial deadline. 20:48.133 --> 20:50.000 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% Well, and to your point,  did you ever in your 20:50.000 --> 20:51.366 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% in your newsroom's reporting, 20:51.366 --> 20:55.833 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% see evidence of the MLB  threatening to relocate them? 20:55.866 --> 20:57.333 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% No, I don't know that  we ever saw a letter or. 20:57.333 --> 20:59.133 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% No. In fact, 20:59.133 --> 21:03.666 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% you know, my my, staff writer  Michael Kalas was going around 21:03.666 --> 21:06.666 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% talking to people on council,  talking to city staff, talking 21:06.700 --> 21:07.900 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% to the team, 21:07.900 --> 21:10.833 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% talking to Weston Urban, saying,  where did this deadline 21:10.833 --> 21:11.433 position:35% line:84.67% size:55% come from? 21:11.433 --> 21:14.700 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Where's the document from MLB  that says that 21:14.700 --> 21:17.833 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% there is this October deadline  on on getting a deal done. 21:18.033 --> 21:21.266 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% Miraculously, nobody  could come up with that document 21:21.466 --> 21:27.033 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% or even clearly articulate  how that came to be. One. 21:28.466 --> 21:29.000 position:30% line:84.67% size:60% And that brings 21:29.000 --> 21:33.700 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% us to our top story of 2024,  another stadium project 21:33.700 --> 21:35.233 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% that has also been shrouded 21:35.233 --> 21:38.833 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% in a lot more mystery  than what we have heard so far 21:38.833 --> 21:40.366 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% about the missions  baseball stadium. 21:40.366 --> 21:44.233 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% That is the awesomely named  Project Marble. 21:45.100 --> 21:48.800 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Yeah, this is the Mega Sports  Complex idea. 21:48.800 --> 21:51.700 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% People with the city,  the Spurs, you know, chamber 21:51.700 --> 21:53.766 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% commerce types  have been talking about 21:53.766 --> 21:55.800 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% in a hush hush fashion  for months. 21:55.800 --> 21:58.800 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And we finally got an unveiling  of what that would be, 21:59.066 --> 22:00.900 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% a new Spurs arena downtown. 22:00.900 --> 22:03.366 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% It would be renovations  to the aging Alamodome. 22:03.366 --> 22:07.400 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% Alamodome, 150,000ft²  added to the Henry B Gonzalez 22:07.400 --> 22:08.366 position:25% line:84.67% size:65% Convention Center. 22:08.366 --> 22:12.966 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% UTSA School of Hospitality  would be constructed downtown, 22:12.966 --> 22:14.866 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% and we would turn the John Wood 22:14.866 --> 22:18.300 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% Courthouse  into a 5000 seat concert venue, 22:18.666 --> 22:21.766 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% which rates the questions  how many downtown concert venues 22:21.766 --> 22:23.933 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% do we really need in  San Antonio and. 22:23.933 --> 22:25.733 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Land Bridge, though  this is another thing. 22:25.733 --> 22:27.433 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% It's kind of that's  what they are. 22:27.433 --> 22:30.200 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% It seems like the Project  Marvel, they're thinking outside 22:30.200 --> 22:32.866 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% the box,  the land bridge across 281. 22:32.866 --> 22:35.100 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% Project Marvel combined. 22:35.100 --> 22:37.866 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% You mentioned the land bridge  that was 22:37.866 --> 22:41.266 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% because of a federal grant  that is available to, 22:41.833 --> 22:45.266 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% help cities that were divided  by highways that the the Biden 22:45.266 --> 22:46.066 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% administration offered. 22:46.066 --> 22:49.166 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% And so that somehow  got thrown into, okay, 22:49.166 --> 22:50.100 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% we could use that money. 22:50.100 --> 22:51.566 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% So maybe that could be a land 22:51.566 --> 22:53.200 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% bridge  that connects to Project Marvel. 22:53.200 --> 22:55.600 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Then there was also something  from the legislature 22:55.600 --> 22:57.933 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% that they offered  some state money to renovate 22:58.900 --> 23:02.066 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% facilities like convention  centers and concert venues, 23:02.066 --> 23:03.933 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% and so that it's some state 23:03.933 --> 23:06.433 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% money coming together,  pieced together over here 23:06.433 --> 23:08.666 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% to make this one  big patchwork of things, 23:08.666 --> 23:11.233 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% but it makes it so that there's  a lot more places 23:11.233 --> 23:13.600 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% where things could fall apart  from the outside looking in. 23:13.600 --> 23:14.833 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% We don't even have a price  tag for it 23:14.833 --> 23:16.600 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% because it's money from here,  money from there. 23:16.600 --> 23:20.433 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And yeah, I mean, I think the  the thing that's driving this 23:20.433 --> 23:25.166 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% to some degree is this the Spurs  have an aging facility. 23:26.033 --> 23:29.033 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% At some point we're going to  have to think about, you know, 23:29.600 --> 23:32.600 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% what, what kind of facility  are they going to be playing in? 23:33.500 --> 23:35.000 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% How is that going to be funded? 23:35.000 --> 23:37.666 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% But I think what you're  also seeing is a concern, 23:37.666 --> 23:39.900 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% in San Antonio,  that a lot of big cities have 23:39.900 --> 23:41.366 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% and that is, downtown's 23:41.366 --> 23:43.866 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% have not really recovered  since the pandemic. Right. 23:43.866 --> 23:46.600 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% Everybody got sent home to work. 23:46.600 --> 23:49.600 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% Some of people have come back  and we've been seeing, you know, 23:49.833 --> 23:51.433 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% a lot of vacancies downtown. 23:51.433 --> 23:54.066 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And then a lot of cities  have gone with these, 23:54.066 --> 23:54.900 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% you know, sports 23:54.900 --> 23:56.766 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% districts,  right, with the notion 23:56.766 --> 23:58.766 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% that if you put a whole bunch  of stuff together, 23:58.766 --> 24:01.833 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% you have this critical mass  and it generates all this, 24:02.166 --> 24:05.633 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% you know, economic development  and all this, this, this new, 24:05.966 --> 24:10.000 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% you know, stuff going on around  it that revitalizes an area. 24:10.366 --> 24:12.466 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% Although I think a lot of, 24:12.466 --> 24:15.766 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% people who study those things  would say the jury's still out. 24:15.766 --> 24:18.766 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Whether that stuff really works,  there are a lot of, 24:19.500 --> 24:22.600 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% economic consultants  that go around telling you, oh, 24:22.600 --> 24:25.866 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% it's going to have this sort of  generational generator effect, 24:25.866 --> 24:28.866 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% and it's going to result  in all these jobs being created. 24:28.866 --> 24:32.900 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And if you talk to other  economists on the academic side, 24:32.900 --> 24:34.400 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% they'll say,  this is all a bunch of smoke. 24:34.400 --> 24:34.800 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% And what do you. 24:34.800 --> 24:36.700 position:42.5% line:79.33% size:47.5% Think  about the local reaction to this 24:36.700 --> 24:37.566 position:12.5% line:84.67% size:77.5% and what that's going to be? 24:37.566 --> 24:39.500 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% It's different  than the baseball stadium 24:39.500 --> 24:41.933 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% because that's a tax increment  reinvestment zone. 24:41.933 --> 24:45.433 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% Everybody knows or believes  it'll be fees and taxes. 24:45.433 --> 24:48.333 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% That doesn't hit me  as a property tax owner, 24:48.333 --> 24:51.333 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% but the Spurs we don't know  about. 24:51.400 --> 24:53.066 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% The early conversation  does involve 24:53.066 --> 24:55.400 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% some public funding,  which you've got groups 24:55.400 --> 24:57.166 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% that specifically opposed public 24:57.166 --> 24:59.600 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% funding for private development,  that. 24:59.600 --> 25:02.266 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% Even if it is separate fees  and not property tax. 25:02.266 --> 25:03.766 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% Yes, but have said that  they will fight 25:03.766 --> 25:04.833 position:20% line:84.67% size:70% this thing to the death 25:04.833 --> 25:06.933 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% if if that if it involves  public funding. 25:06.933 --> 25:08.000 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% But that's coming  from the county. 25:08.000 --> 25:09.266 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% And I think to take it  one step further, 25:09.266 --> 25:10.000 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% of all the pieces 25:10.000 --> 25:11.433 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% that would need to align  for this, 25:11.433 --> 25:14.033 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% the county County judge  Peter Sacchi has said, 25:14.033 --> 25:17.133 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% okay, a key ingredient of this  is that we find a use 25:17.133 --> 25:19.400 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% for the Frost Bank center  on the east side 25:19.400 --> 25:21.533 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% that was supposed to spur  the development there. 25:21.533 --> 25:23.833 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% We've got this  tentative bus line 25:23.833 --> 25:27.300 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% that could go east west  and connect to that, 25:27.733 --> 25:31.200 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% but without a plan in place  for how to redevelop 25:31.200 --> 25:33.566 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% and find a good use  for that Frost Bank center, 25:33.566 --> 25:34.766 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% they're not willing to  contribute. 25:34.766 --> 25:37.800 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% County money hasn't  been a plan to do that yet. 25:38.000 --> 25:39.300 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% They're going to put together  some demands. 25:39.300 --> 25:42.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% But even that bus line that was  kind of a critical piece of it. 25:42.266 --> 25:45.266 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Who knows what happens with that  in this administration? 25:45.700 --> 25:48.266 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% The Biden administration put  those bus lines in its budget. 25:48.266 --> 25:50.866 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% But who knows what happens  with the Spurs as well? 25:50.866 --> 25:52.833 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% We have  when getting better and better, 25:52.833 --> 25:56.200 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% and that could help  push Spurs fans 25:56.200 --> 25:57.166 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% and a good part of the public. 25:57.166 --> 25:59.700 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Yeah, I think that  I think there will be a certain 25:59.700 --> 26:02.366 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% part of the population  who's going to be enthusiastic 26:02.366 --> 26:02.866 position:35% line:84.67% size:55% about this 26:02.866 --> 26:04.600 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% because of the Spurs  involvement, 26:04.600 --> 26:07.333 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% but I would also like  to bring us back to the 26:07.333 --> 26:08.633 position:17.5% line:84.67% size:72.5% The Charter review story, 26:08.633 --> 26:12.866 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% looked at the non-controversial  parts of that amendment votes. 26:12.900 --> 26:15.566 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Right. Let's have a city ethics  policy update. 26:15.566 --> 26:18.133 position:22.5% line:79.33% size:67.5% You know, that passed  pretty swimmingly. 26:18.133 --> 26:20.600 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% But when you look  at the more controversial stuff, 26:20.600 --> 26:23.200 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% getting the pay raise.  About the money, yeah. 26:23.200 --> 26:26.900 position:40% line:79.33% size:50% People  barely edge that up over 50%. 26:26.900 --> 26:27.300 position:40% line:84.67% size:50% I mean, 26:27.300 --> 26:29.066 position:15% line:84.67% size:75% the two most controversial 26:29.066 --> 26:31.633 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% charter amendments  passed by just over 50%. 26:31.633 --> 26:34.600 position:17.5% line:79.33% size:72.5% And there was really not  a whole lot of opposition. 26:35.100 --> 26:35.866 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% I mean, the fire 26:35.866 --> 26:38.866 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% union kind of came out  and they kind of had some people 26:39.033 --> 26:41.700 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% standing at the polls holding  signs and that sort of thing. 26:41.700 --> 26:44.966 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% But it was not the  the forceful opposition. 26:44.966 --> 26:45.533 position:37.5% line:84.67% size:52.5% And you. 26:45.533 --> 26:47.966 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% You expect with a huge project  like you. 26:47.966 --> 26:48.466 position:32.5% line:84.67% size:57.5% Would expect, 26:48.466 --> 26:51.600 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% but you are going to see that,  I think, on Project Marble, 26:51.800 --> 26:54.666 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% and I think the margins  are already razor thin 26:54.666 --> 26:56.300 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% for controversial stuff  that gets put 26:56.300 --> 26:58.366 position:10% line:84.67% size:80% in front of voters. Let's see. 26:58.366 --> 27:01.433 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% And so you're going to be busy  and making money 27:01.533 --> 27:03.466 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% and contributing to the tax  base. 27:03.466 --> 27:06.433 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% Well, I'm I'm happy to have some  job security that's all. Yes. 27:06.666 --> 27:08.466 position:20% line:79.33% size:70% And speaking of which,  you can check out 27:08.466 --> 27:11.800 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Sanford Nowlin,  the editor in chief of the San 27:11.800 --> 27:12.533 position:27.5% line:84.67% size:62.5% Antonio Current. 27:12.533 --> 27:16.166 position:10% line:79.33% size:80% I'd say current.com, and Andrea  Drost, local government 27:16.166 --> 27:20.333 position:37.5% line:79.33% size:52.5% reporter  for the San Antonio report.org. 27:20.400 --> 27:21.700 position:22.5% line:84.67% size:67.5% Thank you very much. 27:21.700 --> 27:24.266 position:12.5% line:79.33% size:77.5% And thank you for joining us  for the special edition of 27:24.266 --> 27:26.033 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% On the Record.  You can see this show again. 27:26.033 --> 27:27.733 position:32.5% line:79.33% size:57.5% You can watch  any previous shows. 27:27.733 --> 27:30.200 position:27.5% line:79.33% size:62.5% You can see them  at a number of previous shows. 27:30.200 --> 27:32.666 position:35% line:79.33% size:55% I recommend  that you can download podcasts. 27:32.666 --> 27:35.300 position:25% line:79.33% size:65% Just go to klrn.org  I'm Randy Beemer. 27:35.300 --> 27:37.100 position:30% line:79.33% size:60% Happy holidays  and we'll see you next. 28:19.500 --> 28:22.766 position:15% line:79.33% size:75% On the record is brought to  you by Steve and Adele Dufilho