SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio City Council voted 10-1 Thursday to create a 33-member community advisory committee that will recommend how to spend $75 million in community benefits tied to the Spurs’ proposed Project Marvel development.
The District Community Advisory Committee will gather public input and advise city leaders on the use of at least $2.5 million annually that the Spurs have agreed to provide for 30 years under a term sheet approved last year.
The committee will not have decision-making authority. Its first report is expected in December.
Each council member and Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones will appoint three members. City leaders expect the panel to include representatives from groups such as artists, labor organizations and small businesses.
Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez cast the lone vote against creating the committee. He had sought to delay the vote to allow more discussion and proposed requiring members to follow the city’s ethics code and establishing three co-chairs from Districts 1, 2 and 5.
The council unanimously approved the ethics requirement but rejected the three-chair proposal, 5-6.
McKee-Rodriguez said the districts that would face the greatest impact from Project Marvel should have a stronger voice in the process.
Residents have suggested directing the $75 million toward early child care, workforce development, public transportation, housing and education.
The proposed Project Marvel district includes a new Spurs arena along Cesar Chavez Boulevard, an expanded convention center and mixed-use development. Plans could also include improvements to the Alamodome and connections between downtown and the East Side.
The city still must approve final contracts with the Spurs.
During Thursday’s meeting, council members also disputed whether the term sheet approved last year had been finalized. City Attorney Andy Segovia said the council had approved the term sheet but still must vote on a final contract.
Mayor Jones has separately proposed allowing San Antonio voters to decide whether the city should provide its planned $489 million arena contribution.
The city’s contribution would come from arena lease payments, private development revenue, hotel revenue returned from the state and future property tax growth.
