Cities & Counties
City Council backs plan to purchase land for Spurs arena, but not without opposition
By Edmond Ortiz The city and the San Antonio Spurs have overcome another major barrier toward developing a new pro basketball arena downtown. Despite concerns and objections presented by some city leaders and residents, the city is pressing forward with a plan to leverage specific-use public funds to acquire the property that will accommodate the…
City Council approves jail diversion pilot, police chief confirmation, new police union pact
By Edmond Ortiz City Council had a busy morning Sept. 10, addressing key public safety issues, including endorsing a jail diversion pilot program, approving a new collective bargaining agreement with the local police union, and the confirmation of a permanent police chief. Jail diversion program The city will work with the Center for Health Care…
Converse sets up regulations on short-term rentals
By Edmond Ortiz Converse is the latest community to adopt formal rules on short-term rentals. What you should know City Council unanimously voted Sept. 1 to approve a second and final reading of an ordinance that amends the city code to permit the establishment of local laws affecting the operation of short-term rentals. Development Services…
Land trust, recognition boost hopes of preserving affordable West Side housing
By Edmond Ortiz Affordable housing advocates are pushing two separate yet vital measures meant to deter further gentrification on San Antonio’s traditional West Side. Community land trust approved City Council on Sept. 3 designated Esperanza Community Land Trust, which is designed to help preserve a handful of existing West Side homes toward ensuring affordable rental…
Pledge of specialized zone funds for Spurs arena site raises questions about zone’s use, city’s priorities
By Edmond Ortiz City Council is scheduled Sept. 10 to consider allocating nearly $116 million in specific use taxing income to buy land to accommodate a new San Antonio Spurs arena. But committing revenue from the downtown-area tax zone has sparked a larger conversation about the adequate use of such zone monies, and the priorities…
Live Oak voters to fill council vacancy, mull city charter amendments
By Edmond Ortiz Two Live Oak residents have filed to run in a special Nov. 3 election for a chance to fill a City Council vacancy that was created by a sitting council member’s death. In that same election, Live Oak voters will decide the fate of proposed city charter changes. Council voted Aug. 11…
City Council readies to confirm Jesse Salame as permanent police chief
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced Sept. 2 the appointment of Assistant Police Chief Jesse Salame as the city’s next permanent police chief. City Council is expected to confirm the appointment Sept. 10, as Salame succeeds longtime Chief William McManus, who is retiring from public law enforcement effective Sept. 30. What…
Helotes may not accommodate telecom facilities in residential areas
By Edmond Ortiz Helotes officials are not favoring a proposal to possibly open up residential districts to the installation of telecommunications facilities. What is happening City Council met Aug. 27 to discuss the idea of amending Helotes’ code of ordinances to consider the placement of telecommunications structures within a residential neighborhood through a specific use…
A look at proposed county budgets in the San Antonio area
By Edmond Ortiz Taking a queue from many city governments and school districts, officials in Bexar County and neighboring counties say they want to follow a stick-to-the-basics approach in developing their respective Fiscal Year 2027 budgets. In most instances, leaders in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties are striving to stave off a property tax…
Robots are coming to Universal City – to help shore up public walkability
By Edmond Ortiz Universal City is deploying a squad of robots built and programmed to patrol key corridors to help upkeep safe pedestrian pathways. What is happening According to a city announcement, the city is partnering with Oregon-based company Daxbot, which creates what it calls “people-centric autonomous robots” that enhance communities. Daxbot offers two kinds…