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Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 23 | Jan. 10, 2017
Dear Neighbor,
Earlier today, City Council approved a measure to change the legal age for buying tobacco products to 21 from 18. I was one of the earliest Council supporters of Tobacco 21, and I proudly voted yes.

This is about saving lives. Raising the legal age for tobacco-product purchases is the most direct step we can take as a city to prevent deaths that come too soon.

As your Council representative, and as chair of the Community Health and Equity Committee, protecting the health of District 7 and our city is one of my highest priorities. So today was a good day.

MLK Day: The District 7 offices will be closed Monday, January 15th, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I hope to see you at the annual MLK March! For information on the march, click here.
Yours in public service,
P.S. Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, January 15th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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".
Dear Ana,

I am one of the many people who enjoyed golfing at the Alamo Golf course next to O.P. Schnabel Park. Any news on whether golf is coming back?

Itchin'-to-Golf
Dear Itchin',

Good news! The short answer is yes. The Parks Department will release a Request for Proposals in the next couple of weeks for golf operations at the 95-acre site. Parks officials have told me they hope to have a contract for City Council to vote on by July.

Some background: In May, voters approved the purchase of this property with bond money. The City has no plans or funding to operate a golf course and/or driving range at the site. If a golf operator steps up with a good plan, and if Council approves, the operator will bear the cost of preparing and maintaining the property.

This would be a three-year contract. It would ensure that golf is available at the site while we develop a comprehensive, community-driven plan for the property.

Looking ahead, we’ll make sure you’re informed on how to participate in the planning for this land. 
 
In the meantime, I’ll continue to share with you information on the effort to return golf to that property as I receive it.

Sincerely,
Councilwoman Sandoval
Announcing: State of District 7
Town Halls
Announcing: New Dates for
Coffee with Ana
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval values your input (and coffee). That's why we're inviting you to: Coffee with Ana.

District 7 residents have the opportunity to have a 15-minute, one-on-one conversation with Councilwoman Sandoval. These conversations are by appointment.

The January 13th, February 10th, and February 17th coffees will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM. The January 27th coffees will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM. All coffees will be held at the District 7 Field Office at 4414 Centerview Dr., Suite 160.

To make an appointment, call 210-207-0872 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
Councilwoman in the News
City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said she will vote to approve the measure, noting it will improve health and save lives.

“Bexar County has some of the worst health outcomes in the state of Texas,” she said. “This is an opportunity for us to combat that … We have some serious health problems. We have to do something about it.”

Initiated by District 7 representative Ana Sandoval and District 4's Rey Saldaña, the City of San Antonio will be working with public and private entities and local businesses to recommend alternative transportation options for employees.

Opportunities to Get Involved
District 7 Neighborhood Leadership Academy Application Available
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval would like to invite you to apply for a place in the District 7 Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA).

This dynamic program brings together established and emerging leaders from our community to enhance their leadership, advocacy, and problem-solving skills so they can better serve their neighborhoods. The NLA will include educational presentations about City services and encourage partnerships to help San Antonio continue to be a vibrant community.

The schedule is below.  The application is available  here. If the PDF version does not work on your computer, a JPG version is available here.

We will accept applications until close of business on Friday. The NLA in District 7 begins on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, and meets once a month until June. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (210) 207-0870.
Application Available for Climate Action Plan's
Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups
The City of San Antonio is taking applications from community members interested in serving on the committee and working groups charged with developing San Antonio’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, called SA Climate Ready. Being climate ready means playing our part in helping reduce the impacts of climate change while preparing our citizens, businesses, institutions and infrastructure for the inevitable changes that will impact our community.

On June 22, 2017, City Council approved a resolution in support of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Mayor’s National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA). Consistent with the goals of the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan and Metro Health’s strategic plan, the Paris Climate Agreement commits to exploring the potential benefits and costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the scientific community in consensus that climate change is occurring, it is in the best interest of the City of San Antonio to address the challenges associated with climate change head-on. While climate change is a global issue, its impact is felt at the local level. From more extreme weather pattern such as heat, drought and flooding, we have an opportunity now to be proactive in how we build, how we establish future transit plans and how we manage our natural resources. The work that we do today will help keep San Antonio safe, competitive and more equitable.   

This plan, which will be developed over the next eighteen months, will cover municipal operations and the community sector with a focus on developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to current and projected climate impacts. 

Applications will be accepted from Dec. 22 through midnight of Jan. 12, 2018. Selections will be made the week of Jan. 15 and our first meetings will be held in early February 2018.

For additional information, please visit saclimateready.org or contact us at sustainability@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-6103.
Construction Project Updates
Ongoing Projects
Share Your Thoughts
Announcements
Viewsheds Public Input Meeting
District 7 Councilwoman Ana E. Sandoval and District 2 Councilman William “Cruz” Shaw recently submitted a Council Consideration Request to initiate the process to consider additional San Antonio landmarks for viewshed protection and to enable the establishment of potential Viewshed Protection Districts. The CCR also directs OHP staff to study additional views and vistas of historic places, landmarks, and cultural resources for consideration for viewshed protection.

OHP is currently gathering public input regarding the locations and designs of potential new Viewshed Protection Districts. These districts are an important tool in protecting the scenic quality and unique identity of our city!

We invite you to attend this public input meeting taking place on Monday, January 29, to share your ideas for views and sites that should be protected. The date and time of a second public meeting will be announced soon.

Can’t attend a meeting? Your input is still important to us! Please take time to email your comments to info@sapreservation.com. Written comments will be documented on the project website.

During the month of January, you can participate by sharing photos of some your favorite San Antonio views. Submissions can be provided for public input three ways:

  1. Share your photo on social media using #ThisViewMatters and tagging @SApreservation
  2. Email your photo to info@sapreservation.com
  3. Print your photo and bring it with you to the January 29 public input meeting. Printed photos should be 8x10 or letter-sized format.

OHP will create a gallery of images for public input at the January 29 meeting. OHP staff will print all photos received electronically.

At the public meeting, we will create a gallery of scenic San Antonio to assist with gathering input. Following the meeting, the gallery will remain on display at the AIA offices for an extended period of time to allow for additional public comment.

Read more here.
COPS/METRO Owner-Occupied Home Restoration
COPS/Metro Leaders are holding a series of housing workshops to allow residents to apply for funding for Owner-Occupied Home Repairs.

Their next workshop is January 13 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Br. Gus Hall, 1321 El Paso Street.

  • Applicant must be a U.S. Citizens or legal resident, with valid driver’s license or photo ID.
  • Home must be within the San Antonio city limits, and have property insurance.
  • Home must be occupied as the primary residence of the applicant, designated as “homestead.”
  • Applicant’s household annual gross income must be at 80% of the area median income or below.
  • Applicant must have clear title to the property.
  • Taxes must be current or paid in full.
  • Home must be structurally and economically feasible for rehabilitation.
  • Mortgate payments must be current, and mortgage balance may be used as a determining factor for eligibility.
  • Required supporting documentation: copies of warranty deed, property insurance, current picture id or driver’s license, pay stubs for last three months for all occupants in household, and award letter from social security, retirement benefits, child support or any other public assistance. Bank statements – 6 months checking & 1-month savings; 2 months saws and 2 months cps energy bills.

The application deadline is January 30, 2018. For more information, call 210 -207-6459 or 210-207-5403.
City announces Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule of City services
City Hall and most municipal offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Public safety and emergency services will remain in operation. Other City services will operate as follows:

Open:
    • Police will be on duty
    • SAPD’s detention center and the magistrate court will remain open 
    • Fire and EMS personnel will be on duty
    • 3-1-1 Call Center will be operational from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    • Dead animal collection crews will be on duty
    • Animal care officers will be on duty
    • Animal Care Services Lobby and Adoption Center will be open
    • Food and Environmental Division will remain open
    • Downtown parking visitors will enjoy an on-street parking meter holiday 
    • La Villita shops will be open
    • Market Square will be open
    • Spanish Governor’s Palace will be open
    • The Carver Community Cultural Center will be open 2-5:30 p.m. for a Dream Week event
    • Fitness in the Park class schedule can be found here 
    • San Antonio Botanical Garden will be open 
 
Closed:
    • City Council District 7 Office
    • SAPD’s Administration and Records Section
    • SAFD Administrative Offices
    • San Antonio Municipal Court
    • All Metro Health clinics
    • All Senior/Adult Comprehensive Centers and Senior Nutrition Sites
    • Willie Velasquez and Claude Black community centers
    • Child Care Services administrative offices 
    • Head Start administrative offices and school district sites 
    • Pre-K 4 SA school, CEO and corporate office 
    • Recycling, organics recycling and garbage will not be collected 
    • Regular Monday collection will be serviced on Tuesday, Jan. 16
    • Areas with Tuesday collection will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 17
    • The rest of the week’s collections will run as normally scheduled
    • Bitters and Nelson Gardens Brush Recycling 
    • Bulky waste collection centers and household hazardous waste sites (Frio City Rd., Rigsby and Culebra)
    • The Darner Headquarters and Park Reservations Office
    • City of San Antonio Community Centers, Adult and Senior Centers, the Natatorium, McFarlin Tennis Center and Barrera Community Fitness Center 
    • Office of the City Clerk, Passports, Vital Records and Municipal Archives and Records
    • Alamodome Offices and Box Office 
    • Central Library and all branch libraries 
    • Office of EastPoint
    • Development Services Department 
    • Office of Historic Preservation 
    • Planning Department
    • La Villita and Market Square Administrative Offices 
    • Centro de Artes Gallery at Market Square
    • Culture Commons Gallery at Plaza de Armas 
Office of the City Clerk Hosts Passport and Vital Records Day on Saturday, January 20th
The City of San Antonio, Office of the City Clerk will host a Passport and Vital Records Day on Saturday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Municipal Archives & Records Facility, 719 S. Santa Rosa. This Passport and Vital Records Day provides the opportunity to apply for or renew a Passport on a Saturday.

Are you ready for spring break? Christmas and midterms are now behind us. Across the US, high school and college students are making plans for their spring break vacations. Get your passport applications submitted or renewed before you make spring break travel plans and avoid paying expedite fees!

The Passport Book costs $110 for adults and is valid for 10 years and $80 for children 15 years old and younger. Children's Passports are only valid for five years and children must appear with both parents or guardians to apply for a passport.

Be aware that ID requirements for domestic flights will be even more strict for this year’s spring break. Starting this month, the US government will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airports. If you don’t have a REAL ID certified driver’s license, you will need to use your passport to catch your flight!
Mulch Your Christmas Tree for Free
Customers of the City of San Antonio Solid Waste Department can turn their live Christmas trees into mulch by bringing them to one of nine locations from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on January 6, 7, 13 and 14. Residents who do not receive regular curbside collection from the Solid Waste Department for trash, recycling or organics but who do pay the environmental fee on their CPS Energy bill may participate as well. 

At these drop-off locations, please note:

  • Trees over 6 ft. should be cut in half
  • All lights, decorations and stands, including wooden stands, should be removed
  • Trees should not be bagged
  • No wreaths, garlands or plants will be accepted

The nine locations are:

  • Rusty Lyons Sports Center, 6300 McCullough, 78212
  • Bitters Brush, 1800 Wurzbach Parkway, 78216
  • Southeast District Center, 7402 S. New Braunfels, 78223
  • Southside Drop-Off Center, 5450 Castroville Road, 78227
  • Northeast District Center, 10303 Tool Yard, 78233
  • Northwest District Center, 6802 Culebra Road, 78238
  • Nelson Gardens, 8963 Nelson Road, 78252
  • Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Highway, 78257
  • Stone Oak Park, 20395 Stone Oak Parkway, 78258

In addition to these special dates and locations, the Bitters Brush and Nelson Gardens locations are open most every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and will accept trees the entire month of January. Christmas trees can also be placed in the green organics carts for regular curbside collection service, but must fit loosely in the cart with the lid able to close. Cut the tree into sections if necessary.

In one to two weeks after the special drop-off dates, free mulch will be available at the Bitters Brush and Nelson Gardens locations while supplies last.

Visit www.sanantonio.gov/swmd for more information.
Upcoming Events
To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website here.
Our Family Reads: The Mayor's Book Club Kick Off
Date: January 13
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Central Library, 600 Soledad St.

Our Family Reads -- The Mayor's Book Club was created by the Nirenberg family to encourage other families in the community to read along with them and members of City Council. New titles and themes will be announced each month. Please join us and Mayor Nirenberg at the kickoff of Our Family Reads with books about Unity.
COPS/METRO Housing Workshop
Date: January 13
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Br. Gus Hall, 1321 El Paso Street

COPS/Metro Leaders are holding a series of housing workshops to allow residents to apply for funding for Owner-Occupied Home Repairs.

Their next workshop is January 13 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Br. Gus Hall, 1321 El Paso Street.

The application deadline is January 30, 2018. For more information, call 210 -207-6459 or 210-207-5403.
Public Meeting: Future Land Use
Date: January 16
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Cantilever Room, 900 E. Market St.

The City of San Antonio Planning Department is updating the City's future land use classifications and we want your input!

The updated classifications will create consistency across the entire city's land use plans. These land use classifications will be an important tool in implementing the recommendations and policies from the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan, which influences how the city will grow and developer over the next 25 years.

Your input is crucial to the SA Tomorrow initiative and planning for the city's future.

Free parking is available in the Convention Center Garage located at 850 E. Commerce at the corner of Commerce St. and Bowie St.
District 7 Graffiti Removal Volunteer Opportunities
Date: January 20
Location: 5111 Glen Ridge and 5455 Glen Ridge

The No Graffiti SA Team is looking for volunteers to help beautify the community by ridding San Antonio of unsightly graffiti. If you are interested in signing up, contact the District 7 Office and we will connect you with the No Graffiti SA Team.
Viewsheds Public Input Meeting
Date: January 29
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location:

The City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation is currently gathering public input regarding the locations and designs of potential new Viewshed Protection Districts. we invite you to attend a public input meeting taking place on Monday, January 29, to share your ideas for views and sites that should be protected.

During the month of January, you can participate by sharing photos of some of your favorite San Antonio views. Submissions can be provided for public input thee ways:

  1. Share your photo on social media using #ThisViewMatters and tagging @SApreservation
  2. Email your photo to info@sapreservation.com
  3. Print your photo and bring it with you to the January 29 public input meeting. Printed photos should be 8x10 or letter-sized format. OHP will print all photos received electronically.

OHP will create a galley of images for public input at the January 29 meeting. Following the meeting, the gallery will remain on display at the AIA offices for an extended period of time to allow for additional public comment.

For more information, please visit sapreservation.com
AAMPO Public Meeting on Potential Bexar County Transportation Projects
Date: February 21
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: VIA Metropolitan Transit, 1021 San Pedro

The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization wants your input! Attend one of our public meetings to give us your thoughts on transportation projects competing for funding in our region.

Can't attend in person? Participate online February 19-28 at www.alamoareampo.org/YourMove
Our Office Staff





  • Joseph Bravo
  • Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
  • 210.207.2727
Office Hours
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm

Closed January 15th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.

Closed January 15th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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