University Health and Metro Health presented plans and early work for a South Side health-equity center and related cross-sector initiatives, and committee members debated whether to establish a permanent city commission to oversee coordination.

University Health representatives described multiple clinic and construction projects intended to increase access in the south side, including plans for a full-service hospital (166 beds) and a community clinic called Vida that will include primary care, diagnostics, pharmacy and extended hours. University Health said the South Equity Center will coordinate workforce development, school-linked clinics, community health apprenticeships and partnerships with UTSA and other institutions.

Metro Health staff reviewed a Community Clinical Reference (CCR) list of tasks intended to align city resources, and noted that the council adopted a contract yesterday that provides roughly $600,000 in funding for some CCR activities; the adopted contract was described in commentary as expiring on Nov. 30, 2025. Staff told the committee that, given current departmental capacity and existing reporting structures, they do not recommend creating a separate permanent commission at this time and instead proposed regular reporting to the committee.

Several councilmembers said they supported the South Equity Center and urged continued funding and representation for underserved neighborhoods, particularly the south, east and west sides. Some members asked staff to return with a timeline for convening stakeholders and for the first set of committee meetings if a formal body is later requested.

No formal vote to establish a new commission was recorded; staff recommended continuing the interagency collaboration under Metro Health and University Health while returning periodic updates to the committee.