Diverse Council Meeting Participation
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as community members await updates on their local leaders’ performances. Recently, we took a deep dive into the attendance records of the city council members and the mayor, and the findings are pretty eye-opening. You elect these officials to represent you, so it’s crucial that they show up to work, right? Well, not all of them have been clocking in as frequently as one might hope!
To get to the bottom of this attendance issue, we grabbed the attendance records for each council member and the mayor from June 2022 through August 2024. Using a standard grading scale, we converted their attendance percentages into easy-to-understand letter grades. Think grades from school but with a twist! Here’s how the scale breaks down:
The sessions we focused on are A Session, B Session, Public Comment, Budget Work Sessions, and Special Meetings.
As it turns out, some council members are hitting home runs while others are barely rounding the bases. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, for example, is doing an impressive job with an A grade, attending every A and B Session. Even though his Public Comment score is at 87%, which translates to a solid B+, it’s a commendable feat overall!
Let’s break it down by district:
Councilwoman Kaur has quickly made a name for herself by maintaining a stellar attendance rate of 97% in A Sessions. Her focus on her community shows through as she emphasizes communication with constituents. “You have access to me all the time,” she reassured folks.
Councilman McKee-Rodriguez is another star player, boasting an impressive 100% attendance in four of the five examined sessions. He recognized that the Public Comment portion could improve and advocates for more involvement from his peers.
Councilwoman Viagran’s attendance doesn’t quite reflect her commitment, as some sessions conflict with community events she attends. “I’d rather have you out in the community than getting a briefing,” she said, indicating her priorities are right where they should be – with the people.
Sadly, her attendance numbers took a hit due to her multiple obligations serving on committees. “I do think there should be a system to clarify why a council member was absent,” she explained, highlighting the struggle of balancing various responsibilities.
With all A’s to her name, Councilwoman Castillo is clearly dedicated, stating, “I think that’s evident in the amount of funding and progress that we’ve been able to bring to District 5 residents.” She feels positive about the current attendance system.
Even though Councilwoman Havrda wasn’t available for a deep chat, she sent word that her attendance is mostly on point, with only minor issues in Public Comment.
Taking a similar stance, Councilwoman Gavito noted scheduling conflicts but maintained her commitment to showing up whenever she can.
Also echoing similar sentiments, Councilman Pelaez stated the current attendance system might not highlight the nuances of council members being present elsewhere.
Councilman Courage stresses that attendance is vital for understanding the bigger picture at City Hall, remarking, “If council members aren’t there, they’re not gonna learn.” Well said!
Unfortunately, exactly what was said by Councilman Whyte remains under wraps, but his attendance is a mix of hits and misses.
While some council members are clearly committed to their duties, others are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities that pull them away from important meetings—and their attendance records reflect that. Moving forward, many are advocating for a system that differentiates between excused and unexcused absences. This could improve transparency and accountability in San Antonio’s city leadership. So, the next time you think about your representatives, remember: their attendance matters!
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