SAN ANTONIO — Recent tensions between San Antonio City Council members Mario Bravo and Ana Sandoval have resulted in disciplinary action against the District 1 councilman.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Friday evening announced that Bravo "has been suspended from his current City Council committee assignments and external appointments until further notice."
"Maintaining decorum is essential for City Council to do its work," the mayor's statement reads. "Everyone deserves to be treated respectfully and professionally, but elected officials should hold themselves to the highest standard."
The suspension stems from a public conflict between the two council members last week. A city source confirmed to KENS 5 that Bravo and Sandoval, who represents District 7, were embroiled in a behind-the-scenes exchange not caught on camera.
It spilled over into the Sept. 15 regularly scheduled council session, in which Bravo can be heard addressing Sandoval during discussions over how to spend millions of dollars in surplus CPS Energy money, specifically in regard to how his own plan was received.
Sources say Bravo accused Sandoval of pulling support for one of his ideas that ultimately fell one vote short. The exchange got heated, sources say, when Bravo, who used to be in a relationship with Sandoval, said her actions proved why he did not want to have children with her.
As staffers tried to calm him down, Bravo reportedly shouted: "She put the knives in my back!" Witnesses say the councilwoman walked out in tears.
"It's funny that I got so much criticism," Bravo said during the public portion of the meeting. "The proposal I put forward got that criticism from the mayor and Councilwoman Sandoval for the lack of detail, but I see the same thing in this proposal."
A spokesperson with Sandoval's office told KENS 5 she wouldn't comment on the incident, instead emphasizing her focus on other council matters.
Bravo, meanwhile, took to Twitter on Thursday evening to apologize for his actions a week after they unfolded.
Bravo currently serves on the transportation and mobility, municipal utilities, and community health, environment and culture committees. He will still be permitted to serve in regular city council sessions.
Nirenberg said Bravo's suspension is a "preliminary step" until a full investigation of last week's events has been conducted.