Thread by @Joeycules

1/ Alright kiddos! It’s time for City Council! On the agenda today are two big items. Sending the fire union’s charter amendments to voters and approving paid sick time or sending that to voters too. Going to be live tweeting on this thread in the posts below ⬇️⬇️ @TPRNews

2/ You might remember my story from yesterday: A PAC tried to sue the Fire Union to prevent the council from placing the items on the ballot. Here's that story.
tpr.org/post/judge-all…

3/ The city council's role in the amendments is purely ministerial in where it has to put them on the ballot. The lawsuit in the above tweet is still expected to more forward on other grounds. A council briefing on the expected impact of the amendments will made before vote.

4/ Then the council will vote on adopting petition driven ordinance on Paid Sick Leave or sending it to voters. Here's a previous story on that.
tpr.org/post/san-anton…

5/ Okay! Back to the fire union's charter amendments. Economist Steve Nivin is now presenting to city council on the impact to the city if the three amendments are passed by voters.

6/ Nivin says the main impacts will be derived from the uncertainty the amendments create.

7/ Here's the impact Nivin says that uncertainty the fire union's charter amendments may cause:

8/ So Nivin's entire study on the proposed impact the fire union's charter amendments could have is now online for public viewing. You can see it here. sanantonio.legistar.com/LegislationDet…

9/ City Attorney Andy Segovia is now outlaying what the council will do today re: charter amendments. A moment ago Mayor @Ron_Nirenberg said there may not be much comment from council as its duty is to strictly put it on the ballot.

Here's what the three fire union charter amendments are:

11/ Now its time for citizens to heard.

12/ City council regular Jack Finger says "The chickens have come home to roost today. What you have here is a result of your inattention to your constituents."

13/ Citizen Phil Cevila: "There's been some obstruction by the allies of the city ... the voters of San Antonio voted you into office. Respect them, respect their vote, and allow them to vote in November."

14/ George Alejos with LULAC says "We the citizens of San Antonio First believe taking our city back is as easy as one, two, three." "I think it's time for the people to have a say."

15/ Council has voted unanimously to place the charter amendments on the ballot. It was a requirement of the council to do so.

16/ Paid sick time is up next! City Attorney Andy Segovia is presenting the requirements of the proposed ordinance now.

17/ Because this is waaaaay too much information to fit in a single tweet, here's the breakdown of what the paid sick leave ordinance would look like.

18/ What could happen is the city council could pass the ordinance AS IS todau or send it to voters. Because its something that was initiated by petition, the council or city can't make any changes to what's listed above.

19/ Now it's time for more citizens to be heard but this time for paid sick leave.

20/ Citizen Don Dixon says he is against the paid sick leave ordnance. "Paid sick leave is needed but let it be between the employee and the employer." He compares the initiative to California policies.

21/ A big showing from the organizers of the petition. @WorkinTexans is joined by @TXOrgProject and others to speak to council about their initiative.

22/ VIDEO: @TXOrgProject Exe Dir Michelle Tremillo addresses council about the paid sick time ordinance.

23/ Now council members are making their comments on Paid Sick Leave. D4 Counciman @rey4sa says "This not a hard decision for me." ... "I believe this is going to have an impact on the people who will benefit, close to 350K."

24/ Councilman @rey4sa makes the initial motion to approve the Paid Sick Leave ordinance by council action without it needing to go for a public vote.

25/ D5 @CWShirleyG says she does support the ordinance. She stated earlier today it was a tough decision for her.

26/ Councilman @Trevino_D1 says the paid sick leave ordinance would be what's right for people and gives workers dignity. "I certainly appreciate the issues as small business owner ... but I'll be supporting this ordinance because its the right thing to do."

27/ Counciman @district10perry asks what the cost to the city of San Antonio would be. if the ordinance is passed.
City Manager says there has not been a financial analysis done.
Perry (paraphrased): 'I think my colleagues would like to know what the costs are.'

28/ @district10perry asks city manager if the number of affected people is really 350K. Paid sick leave supporters in the audience yell "yes!" in reply.

29/ Councilman @district10perry asks City Attorney about letter received from the Texas Attorney General that paid sick leave would violate state law.
Attorney says there is a similar ordinance in Austin that was challeged by the business community but says court ...

30/ ... did not order an injunction.
Councilman Perry says the City of San Antonio could be setting itself up for another lawsuit and defend it with taxpayer money.

31/ Councilman @district10perry makes a motion to delay consideration of paid sick leave until a future council meeting. It's seconded by @BrockhouseD6, Council votes and it fails. Brockhouse and Perry were the only votes in favor.

32/ Councilman @District8Manny makes a comparison between the two charter amendment issues in front of council. Says the union charter amendment claim that the threshold to gather signatures is too high doesn't add up if the paid sick leave petitions can get the minimum.

33/ CLARIFICATION: Need to correct tweet above. Paid sick leave isn't one of two charter amendment issues. Paid sick leave an ordinance. I should have said ballot initiatives.

34/ Councilman @District8Manny says he will be supporting the sick leave ordinance but adds "I think [the ordinance] is flawed - well intentioned - but flawed."

35/ Councilman @BrockhouseD6 says (paraphrased) 'the reason people petition the government ... is because they believe their government is not listening to them.'

36/ Councilman @BrockhouseD6 says the ordinance would be detrimental to small businesses owners who would have to make up the staff shortage for the day and adds that a $500 fine could make or a break a business' profits.

37/ Councilman @BrockhouseD6 says (paraphrased) "We are putting up road blocks to bringing businesses to our community." Says he plans to vote No and adds it should be left up to voters in November.

38/ Councilwoman @Sandovalfor7 says she plans to support the ordinance today. "We're forging a stronger and healthier future for our workforce."

39/ Councilman @willcruzshaw says he will support passing paid sick leave today but as a small business owner he has some issues with the language in the ordinance.

40/ Mayor @Ron_Nirenberg says he'll be supporting the sick time ordinance as well. "Paid sick leave is good for business and good for working families. It creates a healthier San Antonio for all."

41/ BREAKING: San Antonio City Council approves paid sick time ordinance requiring businesses in the city to provide sick leave to employees. 9-2. Council members @district10perry and @BrockhouseD6 are the dissenting votes @TPRNews