 Hope you guys are enjoying yourselves again. Thank you so very much for joining us this morning This is the final of our three city council breakfast series events Well, you can always tell when I don't update my notes Or I just kind of print cut and paste because my next bullet is just a reminder our third and final event will take place on April 15th right here at the El Trump O'Connell hotel Featuring District 7 Councilman Chris Medina Wow, you guys are tired from last night's game, aren't you? Because I am exhausted Holy cow and the entire night from about the third quarter on you just had my wife in the other room babe, babe Come to bed come to bed But I didn't go to bed So like second opportunity to thank our sponsors For this series know these types of events have turned into the benchmark for our organization And we've got so many wonderful partners We'd like to thank for their support today obviously big round of applause are there for us all the time our good friends from Port San Antonio round of applause for Port San Antonio And this series from the beginning has garnered a wonderful slate Across the board sponsors from big companies to small companies They need they know and see the value of of these types of informational Events that we bring Because they're so very special and it gives you an opportunity to see firsthand what's taking place At your different levels and branches of government so special. Thanks. And this is a long list CPS energy AT&T nix health IBC Bank our lady of the lake University PW Christiansen PC Michael Westheimer and pumpkin holdings The San Antonio water systems Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union the law offices of Brown and Ortiz the San Antonio River Authority The San Antonio Housing Authority Jefferson Bank Central Electric the Center for Healthcare Services The San Antonio Economic Development Foundation United towing Hogan properties. I know Mike is here. Thank you Mike for for coming today McKnight and Bradnick Serna and Serna and our good friends from the San Antonio Police Officers Association all here supporting our organization a round of applause for the sponsors and the supporters of this breakfast series And I know this is going to probably sound a bit redundant But it is so very important that I acknowledge one of our wonderful small business partners Lopez printing Leonard and Roger are here and these guys come through for us each and every time we ask them they not only do quality Inexpensive work. It's wonderful that they know the importance of supporting their local Chamber of Commerce And also we're going to be given away a little later. So I hope you put your business card in the in the big bowl We're going to be giving away this huge ghost spurs go banner courtesy of Lopez printing that you can Hang at your office drape around and run around downtown San Antonio. Whatever you want to do it is going to belong to you So a big round of applause for Lopez print and marketing Oh and another thing everybody is Going to walk away with at the very least one of these beautiful ghost spurs go Plackards cards you can hang it up put it in your car Put it on your forehead and just walk around whatever you guys want to do So Leonard Roger, thank you for everything that you do also another one of our they're not a new member They've been a member but this year really stepping it up for our organization In attendance today, we've got some representatives from Yellow Cab They've got Lauren Guerra is here today and also the man with the longest name in the room I guarantee you John Bullya basses that I say that right was that close enough bullet basis close enough guys. Thank you so much for for coming today Man fiesta just happened I used yellow cab several times had several lifts from these guys That's lift with an eye John not lift with a Y I just want to make sure everybody's sitting there thinking wait a minute. That's a I think that's funny, but I'm not sure why Right now, I'm gonna go ahead and acknowledge some some of the Dignitaries that we have here in the audience Starts with our board members. We've got a fantastic Engaged board of directors and you know, we've got a couple of them here Of course you heard from miss Rita Hernandez from inspiration for life Rita Thank you so much for coming and delivering the invocation also our chair-elect and we're really excited About the direction of the organization You know our board chair John Leal has just been fantastic in leading this Organization and he's gonna be handing the baton to miss grace Rodriguez Elliott from Broadway banks will round of applause for our board chair and for our Our incoming chair John Leal and grace Rodriguez Elliott Also so very blessed to have a recent West Chamber legacy gala honoree President of our lady the Lake University sister Jane and Slater is here. I think there she is. Hello sister Slater Also representing state representative Philip Cortez his office a good friend of mine I worked with her at City Council several years ago miss Marina Gonzalez his chief of staff From the port San Antonio board we've got miss Chris Alderete Chris. Thank you for coming today and Her husband Alamo Colleges trustee mr. Joe Alderete Joe Thank you. You're the man Also, we've got a candidate Wonderful candidate running for probate court judge number one miss Barbie sharp cell desis here Barbie. Where you at? You know and I always talk about this one of the great things that we've been able to do over the last couple years is forge partnerships with Some really really cool folks out in the West Side community From the West Side Development Corporation somebody who I just thinks a rock star He's a fantastic guy, and he's really doing great things to the WDC mr. Leonard Rodriguez the executive director Man how many times have you been called a rock star Leonard that's pretty good, right? Also from the Zoning Commission Great friend of ours. He's a partner with Bradnick and McKnight mr. Mr. Ricardo Briones Ricardo, thank you for coming Also, I know they're hiding the back. They're probably eating a plate of food You can't see him, but these types of events are absolutely you got to have a great staff And I've got a really really good one, and they're both here Clarissa Rodriguez and Julie Jimenez go ahead and even though you can't see him give him a round of applause there Trust me they're back there We've got a couple of upcoming events. I just want to go over 2014 state of the district banquet featuring Joaquin Castro This is one of our benchmark events We're gonna have four to five hundred people that's gonna be here at the El Tropicano on June the 5th If you get a chance visit our website West essay chamber dot org for all the information also on June the 12th We have our summer golf classic over at Brackenridge golf course a lot of you guys already signed up for this But if you haven't space in that tournament is filling up really really fast June 12th at Brack the 2014 West Chamber summer golf classic now in continuing with our program I would like to introduce for some brief remarks The chairman of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from CPS energy mr. John Leal Thank you for joining us this morning I know the weather kind of slowed a little bit some of us down this morning But CPS energy will work hard to get those lights back on as quickly as we can Might as well tackle it right at the very beginning, right? Gave mentioned Julie and Clarissa really did a good job But I also want to point out Councilman Medina's team who really worked hard on this and we've got a few of them in the back Norma Derek Joseph Patty and the team that really in Andrea that really stands behind the councilman and putting these events together and helping us You know have a successful event Like Gabe said this completes our breakfast series and we have this year alone We had a number of elected officials come out and visit with us Councilman Gonzalez, it was freezing that day Councilman Lopez. It was a nice day today will be nice for councilman Medina But we seem to be the chamber of weather so we're going to plan events. We're going to fix the drought We'll get it taken care of You know gay mentioned about growing the chamber and we've done a pretty decent job this year already 40 new members and we continue to grow and it's really gave as a As a focal point of being there every day Reaching and putting our membership out there and really talking about the benefits and grace. It's going to be you know Fun and exciting. It's been two and a half years of fun and excitement for me So well, we really look forward to 2014. We really look forward to 2015 And a couple of new members that I want to point out Natalie I saw her at the mixer Really habitat for humanity and what they do providing home ownership To those folks who might not see it as quickly as possible and really reinvesting back into the community What an important role that you play and so thank you very much for your organization and what you do a New member and I didn't get a chance to meet her yet But you vet Martinez with BCFS health care services You know Gabe and Julie were out an event this weekend where they had a ribbon-cutting for their new facility And so what a wonderful partner to have bringing something into the community And so we're so happy to have them aboard and also to not a new member, but I see him in the back Anthony Tobias who? Has been such a supporter of the chamber Not to forget that he's going to have an event coming up here soon enough May 30th through June 1st at Crockett Park is his jazz festival and so he's been a supporter of ours We've been there During that event Supporting him, so thank you for joining us today and actually you were there at the mixer in Here at the Tropicana last month, so thank you for joining us In addition and to my left I want to point out a couple folks from the company that are here from CPS energy Maria Cadoris and Jesse Hernandez and Tony Roland Harris Harris Roland apologies who are a part of our new group We've set up an organization called community engagements And they're really going to be a driving force in the community meeting with our customers and carrying our message out there So I really want to tell them. Thank you for joining us today I'll ask Gabe to come back up here for a moment so that he can introduce the councilman I want to keep us on time and I really want to tell you thank you for joining us today Thank you for having a good event for us and we will look forward to serving you. Thank you Thank you so much. Mr. Chairman one introduction I didn't make and she plays a vital role in The senator Leticia van deputes office many a brago Sanchez is here. She's the community outreach director Many thank you for coming today And she also works for the next lieutenant governor for the great state of Texas senator Leticia van depute What can you say about councilman Chris Medina he's a he's a great guy a wonderful friend to the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce He's a wonderful family man small business owner of the military Veteran he's a current reservist and a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force reserves and he'll be pinning captain in June Later this year. He's a San Antonio native throughout his career Councilman Medina has served the community in numerous capacities with several organizations Including serving as the president of the French Creek Village homeowners Association the Woodlawn Lake Community Association The city's community action advisory board and was a graduate of the city's citizen Academy now prior to his service on City Council The councilman served in several capacities on the staff of previous councilman now state rep Justin Rodrigues including serving as his final Chief of Staff in that incredibly Successful office now He was elected to serve San Antonio City Council in 2011 and then reelected in 2013 where he serves as a strong voice for his Constituents he is a true friend as I stated to the West Chamber and its friends and its partners and it makes me proud to introduce Your district seven councilman Chris Medina. I was told not to hit my head, but I don't think I quite got there But good morning. I'm district seven city councilman Chris Medina and I want to thank all of y'all for being here this morning I'm sorry running a little late the storm did knock out some of the traffic signals on Bandera Road this morning so coming in it was pretty Pretty interesting coming down Bandera Road into downtown, but I'm glad to be here I assure you I wasn't staying up late for the spurs game last night. That's not why I was running late It was because of the traffic, but I know the spurs didn't win last night, but I think they'll finish it off definitely Tomorrow tomorrow Wednesday, so go spurs go. Yeah Well, I know that you know This is a second year that we're we've had the privilege and honor to give our state of the district District seven here with the West Chamber and certainly want to thank everybody Gabe you've done a tremendous job you and your board of trustees in continuing to grow The West Side and the West Chamber and it's really has been an honor to work with you and work with your entire team y'all are Really a great organization and one that's continuing to grow and as you can see that's evident here with that I want to I want to Present y'all with a certificate of recognition and a little something a little special gift that we have I think it's up here sit here Yeah, I want to and it's appreciation and recognition to the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and come back up and You know as Gabe mentioned I serve in the military and one one thing that's always very sacred to us is our flags especially those of the colors that we have and when I Join the city back in 2007 serving in in Councilman then Councilman Rodriguez's office state representative now a Really really admired our city flag that we have so I wanted to present the West Chamber with the city of San Antonio's flag Well, I definitely want to it feels like I'm amongst friends honestly because I recognize a lot of familiar faces I see Joe and Chris all that at the many give our senator the best. I know she's I want to say she's given them Held out there. That's what I'll say, but it's always good to see you. I know I recognize folks from Councilman Lopez's office Joseph and Marina from state representative Cortez's office and really everybody I want to also give a huge recognition to our San Antonio police and fire folks that are here I see them out in the audience as well. Let's give those folks a big round of applause John, I do want to thank you or it CPS energy our public utility certainly do a tremendous job I know you were When the power went out last night about midnight We fell back to sleep and we noticed the power was back on so y'all work seamlessly to get things back and rolling again So we appreciate that very much and I understand that saws is here And I know that I just miss Robert Puente, but he left me a little note that he took care of everyone's breakfast because he can afford it Now so but to give my best to Robert saws. I want to thank y'all. Y'all do a tremendous job of Keeping the water on in the faucets and doing everything that y'all do it saws. We really really appreciate it You know when I got elected to City Council in June 2011 You know It's it was very basic for me. I had just come off of four years of working in state I say council in Rodriguez state representative Rodriguez's office and you know It was very evident when I blocked walked and I knocked on doors that folks wanted to folks were very interested in making sure that Their potholes were taken care of we could address the stray dog issues In other words folks wanted to make sure that we concentrated and focus on basic city services And I think we saw it as evident in My colleague that got elected on Saturday councilman Joe cryer. Let's give him a big round of applause He got elected to serve in city council district 9 and his comments in a paper were concise in that folks Wanted to make sure that we got the basic city services, right and that we got we had a back-to-basics approach So that's what I've really been focused on making sure that we keep our neighborhoods safe Making sure that we have enough police and fire making sure that we can staff our fire stations and our police stations Making sure that we're doing everything that we can to keep it Basic for our citizens and our residents. I think that's the expectation for folks That's why I've really have been focused on core neighborhood issues And one thing I think that impacts the the west side in particular has been the efforts that we've been making and I See Leonard from the WDC Good morning You know, they've done a tremendous job But like I mentioned some of the the efforts that we've been making on the west side have been with the revitalization efforts of st Mary's University and I see Mike Mike Hogan That's that's been one area that we really have focused really really strongly on and being aggressive with economic development Within the past two years along we've seen developments along bandera and wood lawn Investments along that corridor. I think are important Because it brings in much needed Revitalization and much needed development back into the core area of the city And one that I know that we've worked with the WC WDC on One that we're going to continue to work with the neighborhood the University Park neighborhood association And one that we're going to continue to work with the West Chamber on I think that it's a it's an important partnership and one that you're going to continue to see a lot of investment a lot of growth in the next In the next 16 to 18 24 months We're finally going to have a Walmart being built inside loop 410 Which hasn't been done in so so long the close one we have in district 7 is off of Summit Parkway and 410 and then we have certainly all the development growth that we have north of loop 410 So my job is to make sure that we have balanced growth inside loop 410 and I know joke in a test that the district is is Very unique in that we have areas Older in areas in older neighborhoods inside loop 410 and then we have some of the newer neighborhoods out in brawn station and brawn oaks and neighborhoods like that So I think my job is to make sure that we're balanced that we're doing things that That we're making the right investments in the core of our city But also making sure that we have the infrastructure in place to manage the growth outside loop 410 You know, I want to kind of pivot back, you know, everything that we've done again has been Really dictated by The necessity to keep our neighborhood safe and one thing that when I got into office and I would say maybe the first six months eight months in we had a rash of pedestrian deaths along Fredericksburg Road and that kind of spurred me to take a look at a holistic approach of What can we do to keep our folks because the focus had been through SA 2020? I want to Certainly compliment and commend Mayor Castro for continuing that and I think that my my colleagues on the council that were continue to be focused on SA 2020 in those goals but we wanted to strike the right balance between a walkable city, but with also the reality on the ground of We in Texas and in San Antonio we like to drive our cars But we have to strike a better balance with pedestrian safety and mobility and multimodal options with the balance of Making sure that our folks are seniors especially because two seniors along Fredericksburg Road were hit and killed Trying to cross Fredericksburg Road So we implemented a strategy called and an initiative called Safe Streets SA Which is gonna is looking at and in conjunction with Councilman Gonzales Because I know she's an advocate as well for pedestrian safety and cycle of safety in San Antonio So Safe Streets SA is focused on making sure that we strike that right balance between how we can implement policies at city hall And at the city level And work with text dot and other other jurisdictions to make sure that we have a walkable community a safe community for folks to That need to catch the bus need to cross the street in a safe Haven That folks can so that they can catch the bus get to their doctor's appointment get to Whatever they need to be in any part of the city and know that they don't have to be concerned or worried about their own safety So we've also looked at we've also taken that approach in the neighborhoods by offering a lower the speed limits And just also reminding folks that we need to slow down When we're driving in residential areas because we have children that are walking to school in the morning walking To and from school in the afternoon We have our seniors who want to get out and walk and want to Just get out in the community and we need to make sure that we have Those policies in place that keep them safe So that's something that we've been working on and one that when we're going to continue to work on in the coming months One thing that we've also have been working on in district 7 has been that again that key focus area of our neighborhoods and one that you know when I when I was a staff member in Representative Rodriguez's office It seemed like pretty much every weekend. We were out doing a community service project whether it was a baiting graffiti or Building a painting over a fence or building or planting trees out in the community And I know that my staff can attest and I know that they're in the back And I want to thank them for the hard work that did that that they do Andrea Derek Patty Norma Robert Frank they do a tremendous job being my extension out in the community, but we've we've launched an initiative called great neighborhoods now Where we go out into the community we work with Whether it's a faith-based Service group organization It's a church. It's a school And we target areas that need Attention or need a little bit more extra care whether it's a baiting graffiti whether it's Helping fix someone's privacy fence whether it's working with a nonprofit group How many folks I and I know I'm gonna see a lot of hands, but how many folks volunteer for a not with a nonprofit group Yeah, yeah That's great it's so important because those nonprofits are the are the hands in our community that held and That's what it's all about. It's about giving back and making a better community than what you found it So that's why we're really focused and we're really We're really mindful that we want to make this community our community district seven and throughout the city Certainly a better one than what we found it. So I want to thank my staff for Being out there day in and day out on the weekends out in the community doing all kinds of projects And and we've got a lot more projects to come and that's something that certainly makes me excited as well You know 2014 has been pretty pretty busy gave mention that In addition to my service on the council I serve in the United States Air Force Reserve and I have the tremendous honor of pinning on captain in June next month So 2014 has been great. I finally finally wrapped up my master's degree at st. Mary's in public administration So 2014 is off to a great start, but in addition to that it's finally. Thanks. Thank you It took me along. It took me a long enough time, but finally we were finally able to get it done But 2014 is really kind of that that pinnacle year of seeing a lot of the bond program bond program Projects that were passed by the voters in 2012 that we're starting to starting to finally see them Turned dirt. We've got a lot of bond program projects that are underway On Bandira Road much needed a lot of traffic calming projects along Bandira and Peru and Bandira and Eckert We're in the midst of the $24 million drainage project at Woodlawn Lake and one that you know Joe Alderette that has been a tremendous advocate for for many many years down at Woodlawn Lake But you know that that is I have to say Joe that I think this project here is the largest one that we've ever done So I think I got you on that one But we're in the midst of that and I think We're projected at finally finishing that project at the end of the year and that's going to live that project It is significant because it's going to lift about 250 homes out of the floodplain In and around Woodlawn Lake, so we're very excited about that And making sure that that project is it is for one It's on time and it's under budget and we're going to continue to maintain that so I want to thank city staff I know I see some city staff folks that are here. I want to thank them for their tremendously Tremendous job that they do their hard work Let's give city staff a big round of applause And I know that we could not do it, you know, I really Our staff is only as good as their leader and I know our city manager Cheryl Scully does a tremendous job And I also want to I want to ask to keep her in your prayers her father passed away over the weekend So I know that our thoughts and our prayers are with her through that time But I want to thank Cheryl for her her work or her tremendous hard work that she does on behalf of the city Kind of looking ahead You know, we've We've had the opportunity to really work with a great mayor and a great council Mayor Castro has Really taken the city I think in a positive direction I was I was talking to a young man yesterday at Frost Bank and and I was I was actually in my gym clothes I had my hair combed and I was presentable somewhat, but we're just talking You know, he had we're kind of just chatting and I asked him how long he was at Frost Bank It's frost here, or do we have other banks here? I'm kidding, but we're just chatting and you know, he was a young guy and And I just asked him you from San Antonio. Yeah, I'm from San Antonio born and raised and you know He's kind of you know kind of proud talking about San Antonio. He said, you know, I'm really excited about San Antonio You know, it's kind of an exciting time to be here You know, you really see the city kind of on the move and you know city on the rise and we're talking and and I said Yeah, you know, it really is it really is a special time to be in San Antonio. He said, you know, it's probably I Would I would imagine it's exciting to be, you know, maybe down at City Hall and and it he didn't know who I was And I didn't really know who he was And then we just started talking he asked me what I did So I serve on the San Antonio City Council and he just looked at me and I looked at him and but it was nice to see that kind of just that kind of Genuine conversation about our city and how what our young folks think It turns out he was actually his name is Chris Mary me or why he's judge Michael Mary's son So he knows a little bit, but it was interesting Talking to him about that and I told him to say hello to the family and to the Mary family But it was it was good to know that we have young folks that believe in our city and I think are going to be the future leaders of the city and It was just a great discussion to have and I told him I know I don't look like a San Antonio City Council And I was wearing a an old gym shirt, but it was just exciting to hear that you know I think we are we definitely are moving in the right direction It's because of groups like the West Chamber that keep San Antonio I think a vibrant one and certainly one on the West side where If it's good for the West side, it's good for San Antonio and and that's why it's just it's just Really a privilege and an honor to serve the near I've heard it called the west side of San Antonio my district the near west side of San Antonio The near north side of San Antonio. I don't care what you call it. It's a great place to be in San Antonio So with that I just want to again thank everybody for coming out this morning It really it means a lot to me It means a lot to my staff that y'all are here And y'all get to listen about all the great things that we're doing in District 7 and not just in District 7 But as a city as a whole and we've got a lot more exciting things to come We're gonna be opening up another first in District 7 later this year. It's gonna be the brand-new District 7 senior center You know and I share That for me I didn't my both my grandparents both my grandfather's passed away before I was born, but my wife Jackie She she had a tremendous Beautiful relationship with her grandfather. He served in World War two He drove a tank through North Africa and into Italy into Germany And he was just a true inspiration to me When I married my wife and and I got to know him and got to know his story and he was really After 9-11 he was the second reason why I wanted to join the military and serve and give back because he was such a humble man and one that You know, he didn't say an awful lot but when you did but when he did you listened and what he said really had a lot of value and You know, so seniors this the well-being of our seniors in my community is very important to me so I'm very very excited and honored that we're gonna be opening up a a first-class District 7 senior center later this year and I know that councillor Lopez He does a tremendous job of taking care of his his seniors in District 6 And certainly that's a model that we want to emulate in District 7 not just emulate though, but Go a little bit a notch higher too, right? But With that again, I want to thank everybody for coming out. I look forward to continuing to serve on the city council It's been a tremendous privilege and honor And anything that we can do for the folks that are here for the West Chamber my door is always open my I Always have an open ear And I always want to make sure that y'all know that I'm Accessible to you and to your business and and I think it's also fitting that I'm here on National Small Business Week. That's very important. So with that thank y'all again so much I promise to get y'all back on time and again. Thank y'all For being here this morning. Thank you for supporting the West Chamber Thank you for your service in our community and y'all have a great tremendous day and goes first go God bless y'all. Thank you