Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 8 | Sept. 21, 2017
Dear Neighbors,

Strengthening District 7’s neighborhoods is my highest priority. We are working for better streets and drainage, more sidewalks, well-maintained parks, excellent services for our seniors, and affordable utility rates. We are also endeavoring to make our city healthier, and our air cleaner.

In my view, this is how we make city government work for District 7 residents and all San Antonians.

Earning and maintaining your trust is just as important. That’s why I support the proposals the City’s Ethics Review Board discussed yesterday. The changes will strengthen our ethics code, and make elected officials and City staffers more accountable to you. Some of the reforms include limits to gifts of entertainment such as sports and show tickets, and expanding the prohibition on campaign contributions during high-profile contract bidding processes.

In addition, I requested disclosure requirements for any campaign contributions from residential developers for projects seeking letters of support from the City or financing from the City's Housing Trust.

Council will consider these proposals in the coming weeks.

These are small but effective ways to make our campaign-finance and bidding systems more transparent.

In the next few weeks, I will seek my Council colleagues’support for measures to make our public meetings and information more accessible to San Antonians. I consider this a companion piece to the campaign-finance reform the Ethics Review Board discussed Wednesday.

We must earn the trust of San Antonio residents by tearing down barriers to citizens’ participation in City government or to the information we need to fully understand how our tax dollars are being spent.

If you have ideas for how to make ours a more open government, please let us know! Share your thoughts in an email to District7@sanantonio.gov.


Yours in public service,
Join Development Services
for Zoning 101
As part of the Development Service Department's efforts to increase and improve partnerships with the community, they’ve started a DSD Academy to help residents understand the various aspects of development, including zoning, platting, permits, inspections, code enforcement and graffiti.
 
The first session is Zoning 101, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., in the Board Room inside the Cliff Morton Development & Business Services Center located at 1901 S. Alamo. Zoning 101 will provide an overview of the zoning and plan amendment process, what are zoning districts, how to participate in the process and navigate DSD's website to get to the information you need to know. The class will be presented by Catherine Hernandez, DSD’s Land Development Administrator.
 
But hurry, spacing is limited to 100 attendees! If you would like to attend, register through this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Zoning101Sep23
 
Partnering with the community to build and maintain a safer San Antonio is a mission that DSD takes seriously and are always looking for new and innovative ways in which to accomplish our goals. DSD Academy will have a session every month, each on a different topic. For more information, you can visit the DSD website at  http://www.sanantonio.gov/DSD  and check under "Training" in the Resources section.
Councilwoman in the News
DACA Recipients 'Know No Home But Ours'

"Several years ago, I attended the First Supper, a community potluck for the Texas DREAM Act hunger strikers. A good friend, whose parents immigrated from Mexico and started their own business in San Antonio, invited me."

Read more
therivardreport.com
Maverick Field Office
CLOSED Oct. 7th
National Night Out:
Just Around the Corner
Are you ready to stand with your neighbors and show that your community is united against crime? National Night Out is your chance to do that!

This year's National Night Out events will take place on October 3rd and our office will be attending as many registered events as we can! National Night Out is an opportunity for neighbors to strengthen their relationships with each other and their relationships with law enforcement officers.

If your neighborhood hasn't yet registered your National Night Out, click here.
Nightly Lane Closures at
1604 & Bandera
Please take note of the following overnight lane closures scheduled for SH 16 (Bandera) and Loop 1604 as crews set temporary barriers and illumination along the corridor. The lane closures are All lane closures will start at 9:00pm and end at 5:00am, and occur Monday through Thursday nights (September 18th – September 21st).

  • East to West Turnaround

  • West to East Turnaround

  • Southbound SH 16 (Bandera) from Legend Trail to Stonecroft/Quincy Lee - One lane will be open at all times, alternating between far right and far left lanes.

  • Northbound SH16 (Bandera) from Stonecroft/Quincy Lee to Legend Trail - One lane will be open at all times, alternating between far right and far left lanes. 

  • Westbound Loop 1604 from Arby’s (at Gold’s Gym sign) to Applebee’s (at 1st entrance to Silverado Theatre) - One lane will be open at all times, alternating between far right and far left lanes. 

  • Eastbound Loop 1604 from Jack in the Box (at Target/Lowes sign) to SH 16 (Bandera Road) - One lane will be open at all times, alternating between far right and far left lanes. 
For more information about the project, visit TxD OT's project site: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/san-antonio/sh16-loop1604.html

TxDOT San Antonio has an extremely informative blog to keep you up to date on all closures in the city. Check it out here:  http://txdotsanantonio.blogspot .com/
Should the City Raise the
Minimum Age to Buy Tobacco?
Metro Health wants to know what you think about increasing the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age. Give your opinion by completing this short community survey. Your opinion will help gauge interest and support for this measure.
Share Your Feedback on the
SA Corridors Plan
The SA Corridors Strategic Framework Plan draft is now available for review. SA Corridors plan is one of the first steps to implementing VIA's Vision 2040 Plan and the City of San Antonio's SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan. It is the product of 18 months of collaboration with the community and in-depth market analysis of San Antonio's future transit corridors. We appreciate your feedback and will accept public comment on the draft plan documents through  September 30th, 2017. The plan is broken up into four parts, available for download below:  

Silver & Black Give Back Award
The 2017-2018 Team Up Challenge applications are now LIVE! Silver & Black Give Back will award up to $250,000 to school groups and local nonprofits. The challenge encourages students and youth-serving nonprofits to get involved through service-learning projects that build character.

For more info please visit sbgb.org or click the links below to apply.

Deadline is Oct. 1. at midnight.
Calling All Youth
Musicians & Vocalists!
Calling all youth musicians and vocalists, ages 13 to 18, to come be part of the Parks and Recreation Department’s Take Note Youth Band . Applications are being accepted now for the City’s youth pre-professional music ensemble.
 
To take advantage of this opportunity, musicians should submit an application by September 22 . The application can be downloaded at the Take Note Youth Band webpage. Applications can be emailed to Monalisa.Montgomery@sanantonio.gov or mailed to ATTN: Mona Lisa Montgomery, 5800 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway; San Antonio, Texas 78227. Hours for dropping off an entry are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 
 
Applicants will be notified in advance to take part in live auditions the week of October 9, 2017. For more information please call 207-3132. 
Hidden Treasure: 311
City government is big and complex. It can be intimidating, but shouldn't be. To help you get the most of your government, every week we will dedicate part of the District 7 newsletter to City services you may not be aware but that you might find useful.

This week, we're highlighting the 3-1-1 City Service.
Here's how 3-1-1 describes the program:

311 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects citizens with specially-trained customer service representatives ready to assist with City service requests -- potholes, stray animals, downed street signs, trash collection or other City requests.

Customer satisfaction is important. 311 provides access to customer service assistance  7:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Friday; 8:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday . 311 customer service representatives are knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help!

  • Dial 3-1-1 (outside city limits: 210.207.6000) 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
  • 311 is the City's answer to handling your non-emergency calls
  • 311 representatives provide quality service
  • Dial 3-1-1 with detailed information regarding your request; your information is immediately sent to the appropriate City department for action
  • 311 can reduce the number of non-emergency calls to 911 allowing emergency personnel to focus on critical and urgent calls

To make a service request or familiarize yourself with the 3-1-1 service, click here.
Ask Ana Anything
One of the ways Councilwoman Sandoval wants to give you the answers you need about city government is through "Ask Ana Anything", a recurring part of the weekly District 7 newsletter. Have a question for Ana? Email it to district7@sanantonio.gov with the subject line "Ask Ana Anything".

Let's get started!


Dear Ana,

I was wondering if the councilwoman has monthly coffee sessions or meet and greets that my organization could join to get to know Ms. Sandoval.

Sincerely,
Getting to Know You



Dear Getting to Know You,

We are always looking for new opportunities to meet with more District 7 residents – and I love the idea of regularly scheduled coffees to meet and talk about what’s important to you.

I’ll work with our District 7 staff to get these sessions set up. And we’ll get the times, dates, and locations to you as soon as we can.

Thank you for the great idea!


Sincerely,
Ana

We're Still in
Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Under Stage 1, outdoor watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed only before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m., one day per week, as determined by the last number of your street address. To see when your watering days are, click here.

Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed. Water waste, such as water running down the street, is prohibited year-round. However, watering with a handheld hose is still allowed any day, any time.
Upcoming Events
Friends' Book Sale
Date: September 23-24
Time: Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Maverick Branch Library

Historic Homeowner Fair
Date: September 30
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: The Pearl Stable
Website: www.sanantonio.gov/historic/Events/Home-Owners-Fair

Westside Going Green
Date: September 30
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: 1510 West Commerce
Website: http://www.sanantonio.gov/Planning/Events/ArtMID/15322/ArticleID/11454/Westside-Going-Green

National Night Out
Date: October 3
Time: Varies
Website: www.sanantonio.gov/SAPD/National-Night-Out

City of San Antonio Air Quality Summit
Date: October 6
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Norris Conference Center, 618 NW Loop 410 #207
Registration: https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/event/161329/2017/city-of-san-antonio-air-quality-summit

10th Annual City Manager's 5K Walk & Run
Date: October 22
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Alamo Plaza, 300 Alamo Plaza

Appreciation BBQ Luncheon for Prue Road C.O.P. Alumni
Date: October 25
Location: SAPD Prue Road Substation (5020 Prue Road)
Only for Prue Road C.O.P. Trained Volunteers. Must provide C.O.P. ID card or certificate and be on the RSVP list. RSVP to pruecopalumni@gmail.com no later than September 30.
Our Office Staff

  • Ruben Lizalde
  • Chief of Staff
  • 210.207.7039

  • Ryan M. Garcia
  • Zoning Advisor
  • 210.207.0874

  • Joseph Bravo
  • Constituent Services Liaison
  • 210.207.2727

  • Matthew Trevino
  • Council Aide 
  • 210.207.0872

  • Debbie Dehlinger
  • Volunteer
  • 210.207.0870

  • Bianca Maldonado
  • Housing & Neighborhoods
  • 210.207.0873

  • Liz McLeod
  • Policy Advisor
  • 210.207.2723

  • Greg Jefferson
  • Communications Director
  • 210.859.1134

  • Sandra G. Vidaurri
  • Senior Executive Secretary
  • 210.207.7044
Office Hours
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm

Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

CLOSED
October 7th

Saturday:
10am - 1pm

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