City Council A Session - 2026-05-07
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
San Antonio City Council approved two contracts for the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district: a $350,000 district study contract with Municap Inc. and a $6 million Phase 1 executive program manager contract with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects. Council also passed a source of income protection ordinance for veterans using VASH housing vouchers, applying to landlords with 5+ units with escalating penalties. The SA Ready to Work FY2027 budget of $42.8 million was approved with increased funding for Restore Education.
Key Decisions (8)
District Study Contract with Municap Inc.
Approved contract with Municap Inc. to conduct cost of service impacts study, revenue forecasting, and identify new revenue opportunities for the proposed sports and entertainment district. Base contract $316,350 with $33,650 contingency for total of $350,000. Term through April 30, 2027. Funding from Hot Redemption Capital Fund.
Executive Program Manager Contract with Accenture
Approved professional services agreement with Accenture Infrastructure and Capital Projects LLC to serve as executive program manager for the proposed sports and entertainment district. Phase 1 up to $6 million through March 30, 2027. Base term through September 30, 2031 with five one-year renewal options. 14% small business enterprise goal included.
Veterans Source of Income Protection Ordinance
Created source of income protections for veterans using VASH vouchers in San Antonio. Applies to housing providers renting 5 or more units regardless of location. Landlords cannot deny housing solely based on veteran's use of housing voucher.
Mayor's Amendment to Veterans Ordinance
Mayor Jones proposed amendments to remove the 4-unit exemption, apply ordinance to all housing providers, and impose $500 fines per violation starting with first offense. Amendment would have made ordinance effective immediately with 8+ votes.
Cryptocurrency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Signage
Approved ordinance requiring fraud prevention signage at all virtual currency kiosks in San Antonio. Grants jurisdiction to administrative adjudication hearings for enforcement. San Antonio becomes first Texas city to require such signage.
SA Ready to Work FY2027 Budget
Approved SA Ready to Work fiscal year 2027 budget of $42,797,898 and personnel complement. Amended professional services agreement with Restore Education increasing funding from $5,306,540 to $11,591,932.61 to support expanded participant capacity.
Pre-K for SA FY2027 Budget
Approved Pre-K for SA program budget for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in amount of $62,000 and personnel complement as adopted by San Antonio Early Childhood Education Municipal Development Corporation Board.
Downtown Sports and Entertainment District Briefing
Briefing on proposed downtown sports and entertainment district was deferred from A session to B session in June 2026. Original 37-slide presentation postponed to allow for downtown working group discussions and incorporation of items 5 and 6 outcomes.
Development Activity (4)
Downtown Sports and Entertainment District
Multi-venue district including new Spurs arena, convention center expansion, Alamodome improvements, land bridge, and supporting infrastructure. ITC property acquisition expected June-July 2026. Arena terms contract negotiations ongoing through December 31, 2026.
Valor Hill Veterans Housing
118-unit development specifically serving veterans through project-based vouchers. Built to accept VASH vouchers.
Asian Resource Center of San Antonio
First-of-its-kind facility dedicated to cultural programming, education, and community engagement. Groundbreaking scheduled for June 5, 2026.
Ceiling Drainage Phase 4 Project
Drainage infrastructure improvements addressing historic drainage issues. Partnership with CPS Energy to transition above-ground utilities to underground for resiliency and beautification.
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
Over 70% of veterans using VASH vouchers are concentrated in census tracts with high social vulnerability, indicating limited housing choice in higher-opportunity neighborhoods.
Housing Demand
Only approximately 8% of rental listings in San Antonio indicate acceptance of housing vouchers, creating significant barriers for voucher holders seeking housing.
Commercial Demand
San Antonio apartment occupancy sits at approximately 81%, described as one of the lowest levels in recent history, suggesting available rental inventory.
Labor
Construction trades face critical workforce shortages locally and nationally, with data centers for AI infrastructure creating additional demand for skilled trades workers.
Infrastructure
Downtown mobility study scope expanded from parking feasibility to broader integrated downtown mobility system at $500,000, reflecting need for comprehensive transportation solutions.
Sentiment
Asian American business community actively expanding with 24 AANHPI-owned restaurants participating in restaurant month promotion and Asian Festival fundraising for community resource center.