During a recent city council meeting, discussions highlighted the pressing economic challenges faced by residents, particularly regarding the rising cost of groceries. A local worker, Mr. Robinson, shared his personal struggles with affording basic necessities, noting that grocery prices have surged by 15-20%, outpacing the official inflation rate of 3%. He urged the council to conduct a cost of living analysis to better address the financial realities impacting workers in the city.

The council also prepared for the upcoming formal consideration of the FY 2025 budget and a vote on the proposed tax rate for the 2024 tax year, scheduled for September 19th at 9 AM in city council chambers.

In addition, the council reviewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to a proposed new minor league baseball stadium in downtown San Antonio. The MOU involves the city, Bexar County, and local ownership group Designated Bidders LLC, along with developer Western Urban LLC. The project aims to meet Major League Baseball standards and will feature approximately 4,500 fixed seats, with a total capacity of 7,500 attendees.

Western Urban has proposed a $250,000 contribution towards a rental relocation package for about 189 tenants affected by the development, contingent on a matching contribution from the city. The city plans to allocate $250,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support this initiative, which aims to assist current tenants with relocation costs. The council expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts that led to this proposal, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in the planning process.