The Mix co-owner Blayne Tucker, 42, died on Dec. 30

From developing a coordinated system for addressing homelessness to updating city-owned facilities, San Antonio City Council members had numerous ideas Wednesday for how to use the hundreds of millions of dollars the city will receive through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Tackling homelessness has become the spotlight issue in the District 1 runoff election happening June 5.

Candidates for San Antonio City Council District 1 are heading into a runoff election and are now focusing their platforms on tackling homelessness in the area.

The City Council District 1 race will head to a runoff between incumbent Roberto Treviño and candidate Mario Bravo.

City Council members approved a revised ground lease and operating agreement for the Alamo Plan in a 10-1 vote on Thursday

With several crowded races on the ballot — more than 80 candidates are running for 11 seats — hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions and expenditures have run through local campaigns.

SAN ANTONIO – Plans to redevelop the Alamo Plaza must move forward with a new design and leadership team, according to an announcement by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “The position that Councilman Trevino has taken, which is that the Cenotaph can’t move -- then the Alamo Plan is dead, is not tenable. Last September, the Texas Historical Commission voted to deny the Cenotaph’s relocation, which the Alamo Trust said was necessary to make way for a museum. According to Viagran, her family lineage goes back to the Alamo with a member among the defenders. Any changes must be approved by the city council and the Alamo Trust and the General Land Office of the state.

District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño, right, speaks to a resident about the encampment outside his field office. SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño spent Thursday night at his field office, prepared to stop an abatement of homeless people who have camped on the property. “We’re trying to help people.”City crews, however, never showed up on Friday to sweep the field office, located on Vance Jackson Road near the Westfall Library. We will continue to monitor the situation.”The council member and city manager disagreed on their assessments of the encampment. The councilman said he hopes to coordinate better with the city manager’s office to reach a resolution on the issue.

San Antonio – The City of San Antonio has received $46.7 million dollars from the federal government to bolster its efforts to keep struggling residents in their homes. It appears this could extend the life of the city’s popular Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) for several months. Excluding the federal money, the total amount allocated to the program, including some $10.1 million on Wednesday, amounts to about $86.8 million. At least 90% of the incoming federal dollars must be used for direct financial assistance, which includes rent, rental arrears, utilities, and home energy costs. If you have been affected by the pandemic and need help with your bills, you can get information on the Emergency Housing Assistance Program HERE.

SAN ANTONIO – After nearly three months, District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino is still pushing for another round of city help specifically for businesses in the food and beverage sector. Trevino submitted a council consideration request (CCR) on Oct. 15 regarding a “Food and Beverage Worker Relief Program,” which he envisions as a $35 million in grants for businesses. Of that, $8.7 million of which went to the food and beverage sector, which could include not just bars and restaurants, but also businesses such as caterers. Nirenberg said 227 grants were awarded to the food and beverage sector, and according to city staff, “all eligible food and beverage applicants received grants.”However, Trevino says that’s far from all the city’s restaurants. The original round of city grants were funded entirely through one-time federal stimulus dollars.

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff remembers the Alamo, but he also remembers parts of the Alamo Plan he’d like to see changed. Their letter comes as the City Council discusses the future of the Alamo Plan now that the controversial relocation of the Cenotaph, a central part of the plan, has been blocked by the Texas Historical Commission. The current Alamo Plan, which the city council approved in October 2018, includes the City of San Antonio, the Texas General Land Office, and the Alamo Trust as its partners. It involves renovating Alamo Plaza, closing down portions of several streets, and creating a museum and visitor center located around the Woolworth and Crockett buildings. Read the letter in full below:Related: San Antonio City Council discusses uncertain future of Alamo Plan

SAN ANTONIO – With the Cenotaph relocation apparently off the table, San Antonio City Council members discussed options forward for the $400 million Alamo Plan. With the monument’s relocation a “crucial” part of the overall plan, city staff members say plans or timelines need to be changed. “We’re going to have to redo redesign because that Cenotaph is not moving,” City Manager Erik Walsh told council members. In its entirety, the Alamo Plan includes repairs to original structures, a redesign of the plaza and a museum. Following the nearly two-hour public discussion, council members spent close to another hour in a closed executive session but took no official action.

SAN ANTONIO – The family of Juan Martinez says he died after he was hit by a car at North Zarazamora Street and Culebra Road last Wednesday. Martinez’s sister, Yolanda Betancourt, says her brother’s death should have never happened. He crossed Culebra Road while trying to get to the nearest bus pickup spot, which sits near the busy intersection near North Zarzamora Street. Betancourt wants her brother’s death to serve as a message of change. RELATED: Man, 51, killed while crossing street on West Side, San Antonio police say

SAN ANTONIO – Throughout this week, the cycling community in San Antonio plans to honor a well-known cyclist who was killed after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. “This was a man who was very wise beyond his years,” said Jeff Moore, president of SATX Social Ride. He was always open and very accepting of everybody.”Bradshaw was ripped from both the cycling community and his loved ones after being struck on East Houston Street in April 2019. Moore said the cycling community is planning a virtual ride for Bradshaw on Tuesday, where riders can start from wherever they choose and ride by his memorial ghost bike located at 1938 East Houston Street. “Solo riders, small groups, people who have small groups or want to ride with their friends -- basically get on your bikes and ride here,” Moore said.

SAN ANTONIO – The next steps for the $400 million Alamo Plan remain unclear, even as District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino tries to shore up support for the original intent of the plan. In its entirety, the Alamo Plan includes repairs to original structures, a redesign of the plaza and a museum. "And then there was the push by the lieutenant governor and John Nau for a very exclusive, 13-day, 1836 story. I think we’ve invested a lot of energy on a good thing, on the right thing, and we can we can continue to build on that,” Trevino told the advisory committee members. Trevino told KSAT afterward that they had heard “a consensus” from the members that they also wanted to reaffirm their commitment.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio officials hope to address climate change in a new city design competition by utilizing architecture to help cool the area. District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino teamed up with the American Institute of Architects of San Antonio and Centro San Antonio for the project. “In San Antonio, it’s really hot. The design competition challenges design teams to create shade structures that the city can utilize to help cool areas. “This is important as part of our overall infrastructure as a city, as we promote more pedestrians being able to walk all over our city,” Trevino said.

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Historical Commission blocked a controversial plan to move the Cenotaph following a marathon meeting Tuesday night. “Unfortunately, after tonight’s disappointing vote to deny the restoration and relocation of the Cenotaph, the Alamo Master Plan remains a plan without a project. Following the permit’s rejection, Trevino told reporters the plan had gone through many boards and commissions. For opponents of moving the Cenotaph, the vote was a reason to celebrate. Dan Patrick, a high-profile opponent of moving the Cenotaph, told the commissioners the state could pay for the entire project, provided the plan be adjusted to leave the Cenotaph in place.

SAN ANTONIO – The city council sent another $24.1 million on Thursday to a widely used assistance program that has helped thousands of San Antonio residents pay their rent and other bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program has already received $52.5 million through two previous phases of funding - $50.9 million of which will end up going to San Antonio residents. However, with the assistance being doled out at a rate of $400,000 to $500,000 per day, the city expects to run out of those funds by early October. The emergency housing assistance program has been open to anyone earning less than 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and recipients can collect up to three months, or $5,000, worth of help. Those earning 51% to 80% of the AMI are only eligible for the rental or mortgage assistance.

SAN ANTONIO – On the eve of the city council’s vote on the FY 2021 budget, proposed amendments to the $2.9 billion document would make small adjustments to areas like housing, health, and small businesses programs. City staff presented $4 million worth of proposed amendments to the city’s operating budget and $2.4 million worth of additional capital spending on Wednesday, following dozens of council member requests. City staff proposed these $4 million worth of amendments to the city budget. City staff are recommending $2.4 million in additional capital funding in the FY 2021 budget. (City of San Antonio)The city council is scheduled to vote on the FY 2021 budget on Thursday, Sep. 17.

SAN ANTONIO – Despite reports claiming the popular chicken restaurant, Chick-Fil-A, is being offered a lease in the San Antonio Airport, the city says right now it’s standing by the city council’s decision made last year not to do so. RELATED: Lawsuit over Chick-fil-A removal at San Antonio airport tossed by state appeals courtOn Sunday, the city responded to KSAT with the following statement:“The FAA has not ordered the City of San Antonio to have Chick-Fil-A at its airport. The City itself offered to resolve the FAA investigation informally following Chick-Fil-A’s publicly stated change-of-position on its charitable giving policy. Any placement of Chick-Fil-A at the San Antonio Airport is ultimately contingent on Chick-Fil-A’s continued interest and approval by the City Council. Unfortunately, and ironically, AG Paxton’s false declaration of victory significantly jeopardizes the potential for a mutually beneficial and amicable resolution."

San Antonio The San Antonio City Council gave the official approval to permanently remove a statue of Christopher Columbus from a downtown city park and return it to the Christopher Columbus Italian Society. It also agreed to rename the park at 500 Columbus Street from Columbus Park to Piazza Italia Park. The council unanimously approved both changes as part of its consent agenda. The statue was previously removed for cleaning and restoration on July 1 after it was vandalized. Trevino indicated that another effort to consider renaming Columbus Street is also underway.

San Antonio voters will be asked to consider whether to use a 1/8 cent sales to help fund workforce training or higher education for about 40,000 residents. City Council members approved putting the issue onto the Nov. 3 ballot by a vote of 9-2 Thursday. VIA, Mayor agree on plan to use 1/8 cent sales tax for economic recovery, then transportationThe new program is meant to continue the work that a short-term $75 million program council members already approved as part of a $191 million recovery & resiliency plan. The mayor and VIA officials struck a deal in July on sharing the sales tax, with the city getting first bite and then freeing it up for VIA afterwards. Voters will already be considering re-approving a separate 1/8 cent sales for the Pre-K 4 SA on the November ballot.

SAN ANTONIO – President Donald Trump signed several executive orders on Saturday to provide individual relief from the pandemic, including a move to extend a moratorium on evictions for some residents. Both the city and county have programs to help struggling residents pay their rent or mortgage. The city expects to run through its $50 million budget of mostly federal dollars by late September, or early October. Its proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes $5.25 million of city dollars, but District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino wants to see more, noting federal dollars have restrictions. RELATED: President Trump orders more unemployment pay, a payroll tax deferral

SAN ANTONIO – A protest at Columbus Park downtown Saturday drew dozens of demonstrators who want to see the statue of Christopher Columbus removed. However, when asked about the new limit on gatherings at parks, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said police would not be enforcing that at demonstrations. Photos: Christopher Columbus statue at San Antonio park vandalized amid criticismNumerous San Antonio police officers stood between the two groups, which were also separated by barricades. District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino filed a council consideration request calling for the removal of the Columbus statue and the renaming of the park. Though the Christopher Columbus Italian Society has agreed to take back the statue, it remains in place.

SAN ANTONIO A Christopher Columbus statue at a downtown San Antonio park was found vandalized Thursday morning. Photos show the statue at Columbus Park, located at 500 Columbus St., splashed with red paint. A Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Park in downtown San Antonio was found vandalized on Thursday, June 25, 2020. (KSAT)During Thursdays meeting, Trevino acknowledged the vandalism that happened overnight and asked the statue be taken down pending a council vote. Last week, he filed a council consideration request, asking that the City Council place the item on the Governance Committees agenda.

SAN ANTONIO District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino is requesting for the renaming of Columbus Park and removal of the Christopher Columbus statue. Trevino filed a council consideration request Wednesday, asking that the City Council place the item on the Governance Committees agenda. The Italian Society and its Board have requested the removal of the statue and will accept the return of the statue to their organization, the document states. Calls for the removal of Columbus statues and confederate statues have reignited as the nation grapples with its history of racism. In 2017, protesters demanded that the Columbus statue be removed from the park, saying that it represented oppression for Native Americans.

San Antonio – Concerns about evictions are on the mind for a lot of families whose members have lost their jobs recently. Fajardo said people need to know their rights, and several state and federal laws are protecting renters during this time. Any tenant in San Antonio or Texas cannot be evicted without a court order, and eviction courts are closed until April 30 unless that moratorium is extended, Fajardo said. “That is generally all public housing, Section 8 housing, of (Housing and Urban Development),” Fajardo said. Help is in the works for those who live in San Antonio, according to District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino.

SAN ANTONIO – On the eve of the 184th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, Lt. Gov. In a statement released Thursday, Patrick criticized current plans to redesign and restore the Alamo and surrounding area. Patrick criticized designs he said he had seen for the plaza and opposed the controversial, planned relocation of the Cenotaph. District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino, whose district includes Alamo Plaza and who supports its redesign, said the entire plan went through a vigorous and transparent process. 24-25 and will discuss authorizing the dismantling, restoration and relocation of the Cenotaph.

SAN ANTONIO – The right to counsel program aims to protect renters who have fallen behind on rent and are fighting eviction. For those who can’t afford their rent, it’s impossible to pay for legal services that would help them battle eviction. We’ve worked with different attorneys to understand the opportunities that there may be, different organizations can help provide or assist with regards to this program,” Trevino said. Trevino’s office reports that New York City saw significant changes from 2017 to 2018. To implement the program, the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department will partner with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, a nonprofit law firm.

SAN ANTONIO – The city’s Historic and Design Review Commission approved the first phase of the Alamo Plaza redesign Wednesday after it was tabled two weeks ago. The commission voted 7-4 to approve a new location for the Cenotaph. The commission had tabled the item two weeks ago because of concerns over a pending lawsuit between a local indigenous group and the state and city. I’m all for that,” said Forrest Byas, a supporter of the redesign plan. San Antonio will soon see tangible elements restored and taking shape as the plaza follows the master plan.” District 1 Councilman Roberto TrevinoTo see a copy of the Alamo Plaza redesign that was approved by the city, click here.

It feels like a safe space,” said Gabriel Martinez, a Main Avenue strip regular. You know, we’re here.”Installed Wednesday at the intersection of North Main Avenue and East Evergreen Street, the sidewalks are in place just in time for the San Antonio Pride Parade on Saturday. The location is at the heart of the gay business district and the Main Avenue strip, which holds a special place in the city’s LGBTQ community. The same crosswalks were decorated in rainbow colors ahead of last year’s Pride Parade, but only in chalk. In June 2017, District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino requested that the City Council consider installing a “Pride-themed rainbow crosswalk” at the intersection.