Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 5 | Aug. 15, 2017

Dear Neighbors,


Last Thursday, my City Council colleagues and I got our first public look at the City’s proposed 2017-2018 annual budget. There was a lot to like – increased funding for streets, police, and fire, with no property-tax rate increase. But we’re just beginning to dig into the numbers to determine whether the plan addresses our most pressing needs in District 7 and San Antonio as a whole.

 

While more tax dollars are proposed for street projects, will the priorities be the most deteriorated, dangerous roadways in our city? I believe that would be the best approach. And will the proposed funding reduce flooding in District 7 and make our streets safer for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists?

 

The proposed budget includes funding for 40 new police officers. But how is the SAPD using technology to make our neighborhoods safer? Are our officers being deployed as effectively as possible?

 

As your Council representative, my goal is to get answers to these questions, and to ensure we are getting the most for your hard-earned tax dollars.

 

Clearly, we have a lot of work to do over the next several weeks. That’ll include many talks with City Manager Sheryl Sculley and her staff, City department heads, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and my Council colleagues, and you.

 

We want to hear what’s important to you in our annual budget. Please let us know in an email to District7@sanantonio.gov, or call the District 7 office at 207-7044.

 

You can learn more about the proposed budget at www.saspeakup.com. Also, please plan to attend a public information session on Monday, Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Garza Community Center at 5627 Mira Vista.

 

If you can't attend this session, click here for others scheduled throughout the city.


These are your tax dollars. Let’s make sure we’re investing them in a way that strengthens our neighborhoods and that makes ours a better city.

 

Thank you.



Yours in public service,

Back-to-School Health & Wellness Fair 
&
Backpack Giveaway 
 

School's back in, and the District 7 Council Office will host our annual Back-to-School Fair on Aug. 19. We’ll hand out free backpacks and school supplies so our students will be ready to hit the books. And the Metropolitan Health Department will provide immunizations and other health services to help kids stay healthy.


Breakfast and  lunch at the event are free!


When:         Aug. 19, 2017

Time:           9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location:    Gilbert Garza Community Center, 1450 Mira Vista, San Antonio, TX 78228 


Learn More About the Seeling Channel Project 
The City's Transportation and Capital Improvements Department is moving into the third phase of work on Seeling Channel to reduce flooding in the Woodlawn area of District 7.

We have asked TCI to host a session for residents on the status of Phase II of Seeling Channel, and to provide information on the project's Phase III. To learn more about this important, multiyear project, please plan to attend on Sept. 5.

We hope to see you there!
We're Still in Stage 1 Water Restrictions
 

Stage 1 of the city’s drought plan is triggered when the 10-day average of the Edwards Aquifer drops to 660 feet or below. According to the city’s Aquifer Management Plan ordinance, coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger.


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. See graph to the right to see when your watering days are.


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.

Weigh In on SAWS's New Water Plan
 

San Antonio Water System’s biggest responsibility is to provide us with clean, affordable water today and for years to come. That requires a lot of meticulous planning — and now is your chance to check SAWS’s work.


SAWS has released a draft of its 2017 Water Management Plan, which sketches out the water sources the utility will tap over the next 50 years to accommodate our area’s growth.


You can comment on the plan through Aug. 15.


Click here to read the report, or visit www.watercitysa.org.

Ditching Water Bottles at City Hall
  

Thanks to a request by Councilwoman Sandoval, bottled water will no longer be distributed at Council meetings. Instead, Council members will drink tap water in glassware. Sandoval also provided each member with a reusable, insulated, leak-free water bottle with their names and the city logo engraved on them.


“Drinking water is key to a healthy lifestyle. We want Council to stay hydrated in a way that doesn’t waste tax dollars on something we can get from the tap,” Sandoval said. “We also want to make it easy to make the right choice. Having glassware on hand and a bottle you can carry with you makes it easier to do the right thing.”


The “Ban the Bottle” campaign estimates the average American consumed 167 disposable bottles of water in 2016, but recycled only 38, or 23 percent, of their bottles.



Apply Now!
Accepting Applications for Boards & Commissions
Do you want to improve your community? If so, please consider applying for a seat on one of San Antonio's citizens boards. Click here for a complete list.

How to apply for a Board :

  1. Select 1 or more positions by checking the box for the desired position(s).
  2. Click the 'Apply' button to submit your application(s).

Board names are listed alphabetically as you scroll down the page.
Applying for a Board does not mean there is a vacancy. Please click the following link to view Boards and Commissions Rosters: https://webapp9.sanantonio.gov/BoardCommApplication/


Urgent. We are looking to fill the two San Antonio Youth Commission appointments prior to the start for the school


San Antonio Youth Commission
Two (2) members are chosen from each Council District, and the Mayor selects two (2) at-large student members. Members must be students from local high schools. The goals and objectives of the Commission are to respond to current situations affecting young persons and to develop solutions for problems. The Youth Commission further works toward unifying the youth of San Antonio into a positive force for the good of the community. The operational year for the Youth Commission is from August to May. Meetings are held once a month on Sundays at 2:00 PM in the City Hall Media Briefing Room, 100 Military Plaza. Special meetings are called as needed. For more information, please visit: http://sayouthcommission.com/ 

'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure' in the Park! 
Check Out the Historic Homeowner Fair!

Date: Aug. 26

T ime: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m

  • Hands-on demonstrations
  • Workshops and training
  • Education presentations
  • More than 40 exhibitors

Free and open to the public

For more information, visit SApreservation.org 

Help Us Make the D7 Newsletter Better!

We want to make the District 7 newsletter more user-friendly and more relevant to you. So we need your help.


We'll introduce two new weekly features on Aug. 29 -- Ask Ana Anything, in which Councilwoman Sandoval will answer a District 7 resident's question in depth, and My Neighborhood, in which a resident tells us in 200 words or less what's great about his or her neighborhood and what needs improvement.


If you have a burning question for Ana, please send an email to District7@sanantonio.gov, and include "Ask Ana Anything" in the subject line.


If you'd like to tell the rest of District 7 about your neighborhood, please email us your 200-word profile to District7@sanantonio.gov and include "My Neighborhood" in the subject line.


We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Our Office Staff

  • Ruben Lizalde
    Chief of Staff
    210.207.7039

  • Ryan M. Garcia
    Zoning Advisor
    210.207.2723

  • Joseph Bravo
    Constituent Services Liaison
    210.207.2727

  • Matthew Trevino
    Council Aide 
    210.207.0877 • 210.207.0870


  • Bianca Maldonado
    Housing & Neighborhoods 
    210.207.0870


  • Liz McLeod
    Policy Advisor
    210.207.2723


  • Greg Jefferson
    Communications Director
    210.859.1134


  • Sandra G. Vidaurri
    Senior Executive Secretary
    210.207.0870

Office Hours

Brass Professional Center

4414 Centerview Dr #160

210-207-0870


Monday - Friday:

9am - 5pm

Maury Maverick Library

8700 Mystic Park

210-207-0877


Saturday:

9am - 12pm