City Council Questionnaire Ricardo Briones Attorney My name is Ricardo Briones, I am a lifelong resident of District 5.

I am an attorney and have been active in San Anto Cultural Arts for the past six years. I have represented the DREAM ACT students and UNITE HERE. I believe I am the best candidate for District 5 The reason that I am running for city council is that I feel that San Antonio is on the verge of something great. District 5 has been neglected for too long and the area needs someone that will advocate for the district. 1) Could the Citys recent ethics reforms be better enforced, especially in terms of conflicts of interest? I do believe that the Citys recent ethics reforms can be better enforced, especially in terms of conflict of interest. There must be awareness of what specifically a conflict of interest entails and how that affects city decisions. 2) Whats your opinion on encouraging economic development and civic programming via public/private partnerships, especially where public land, such as Hemisfair Park, is concerned? I believe that encouraging economic development and civic programming regarding public/private partnerships can be a good thing. We need to look at all options on the table and determine which ones are the most beneficial to our community and to our city. But I do think it needs to be sensitive to the needs of the community and to public space. Public land is important and should be seen as such. 3) Should the city establish an independent police monitor to better oversee the San Antonio Police Department? Why or why not? If there is strong enough community concern that would determine that an independent police monitor is needed to oversee the San Antonio Police Department then I would support that. I think there would have to be a need and homework done before I would support that. 4) Do you support the way the health department currently regulates food trucks? If not, how could the regulations be changed to better serve San Antonians? I do not support the way the health department currently regulates food trucks. I think that the regulations need to be changed to provide a robust food culture in San Antonio, affordable, sensible regulations, without sacrificing food safety and preparedness. 5) How can the City support sustainable transportation options? The City can support sustainable transportation options in a variety of ways, primarily in District 5 it can support this by helping fund our infrastructure and drainage issues. I think this is imperative to make more walkable, livable neighborhoods. There needs to be an encouragement towards greenlane bicycle lanes in the innercity. There needs to be a concerted effort to create awareness and education for bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. By encouraging sustainable transportation options we help our city in terms of air pollution and the toll on our streets and roads. 6) What value do you think the arts bring to San Antonio? In what ways can the City support local arts organizations and individual artists? The arts bring an important value to the City of San Antonio. As a volunteer and boardmember for San Anto Cultural Arts, I first hand saw the value of art in our day to day life. I would like for the city to support my initiatives to designate parts of District 5 into a mural arts district or public museum district, this would increase tourism and help bring in growth from downtown. I would want to make our westside murals a national tourist destination. I would also push for encouraging a program for artist subsidized housing, that has been started and is successful in other cities across the nation.

7) Is it important for the City to strengthen its non-discrimination ordinances to protect LGBT citizens? Why or why not? It is imperative for the City of San Antonio to strengthen its non-discrimination ordinances to protect all citizens, including the LGBT identified. The City of San Antonio must be a leader in treating everyone equal and affording all dignity and peace. I would make sure my staff is educated in LGBT sensitivity and issues to make sure that constituents in District 5 can be aware of all benefits available to them. 8) Is Animal Care Services doing enough to increase its live-release rate? Is ACS' publicprivate partnership model is working? If not, what else could be done? Animal Care Services can do a better job all around. In the City of San Antonio there is a huge stray dog population problem and feral cat population problem. If we are truly committed to being a No Kill city we need to take a long hard look at our actions and how humane we are treating our animals. There needs to be a concerted effort for education, awareness and action to the community as a whole. I think the City of San Antonio can partner with nonprofits like the Westside Dog Initiative, Animal Rescue Friends and other organizations in those veins. 9) What would you do to address the high vacancy rate in downtown buildings? There needs to be a push to court businesses and local businesses to relocate and invest in downtown. With the Robert B. Green medical center, the new Peanut Factory Lofts, Cevallos St. Lofts and downtown campus of UTSA the downtown area and District 5 is rife with potential. I think a master plan to encourage this type of reinvestment in downtown needs to be looked at. 10) Is the Citys million-dollar incentive to create a downtown grocery store appropriate? Why or why not? Is there a better way to bring a grocery store downtown? The downtown area needs a grocery store, many of the constituents of District 5 also need a grocery store to shop. I feel that the incentive is appropriate if that is what is needed. 11) How can San Antonio balance economic development with historic preservation? The City of San Antonio needs to value historic preservation and realize that it is a key to economic development. Looking at other world class cities, there is a value taken on history and buildings. I think the City of San Antonio has a huge potential in the historical landmarks designated in District 5 and the westside. 12) Do you support union organizers' push for a Tip Integrity Act for the downtown hotel and restaurant industry? Yes. There needs to be transparency in the downtown and hotel industry. I was endorsed by UNITE HERE! and this is an important issue to me. 13) What is the Citys role in making consumer solar power affordable for residents as well as local businesses? It is imperative for the City of San Antonio to make solar power affordable to its citizens and local businesses. The City of San Antonio must also be a leader in requiring projects to have a solar energy component. 14) Is there more the City could do to protect the Edwards Aquifer in terms of building restrictions, funding conservation easements or other means? Yes. I think the city needs to be ever-vigilant in protecting our water supply. With current drought predictions we need to focus our efforts on conservation and awareness. 15) What are the most critical components to implementing Pre-K 4 SA? Are there any other opportunities for the City to support education? Transportation to the children in District 5 for the PREK4SA centers will be critical. Nutrition for children is important as well. The City of San Antonio has many opportunities to support education.